This week we speak with Jim Ward, the president and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. In addition to his role at the Symphony, Jim is also a Venture Partner in the venture capital firm, Alsop Louie Partners.
In our conversation, Jim takes us from his roots in Indiana to his first move to Arizona where he attended the Thunderbird School of Global Management. From there, his career took him to places he never expected and afforded him the opportunity to lead global marketing campaigns for Apple, Microsoft, and Nike. Jim was also recruited to oversee the global distribution and marketing of all of Lucasfilm’s motion picture, television, and video properties…and develop the plan to launch Star Wars Episodes 1-3. In case he needed more to do, he was concurrently named the President of LucasArts where he oversaw the rebuilding of the video game company.
Jim talks about mentors (including his influential piano teacher, Ms. Breckenridge), building trust with clients, the importance of teams, how data influences marketing decisions, and explores the concept of “irreverence justified.” You will enjoy the stories and learn from his perspectives on leading and innovating.
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