Get to know: Pete Rodriguez
Vice President, Production
Ex professional baseball player, Pete Rodriguez, is a skilled production professional who excels in planning, producing, and executing experiential events. He’s overseen and produced thousands of events during his tenure with TEAM, educating millions of consumers across a variety of industries. With 14 years of practice under his belt, we thought he might have a few insights to share about his career in experiential marketing. We hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about our head of production.
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What music do you like to listen to while you’re driving? ?
I appreciate all types of music, but I mostly listen to hip hop. Once in a while I’ll listen to that old-school Miami freestyle. I now realize that saying “Miami Freestyle”, makes me sound a bit old..
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You’re throwing a theme party, what would be the theme and why?
I would definitely stick to a sports theme. As most people know, I have a passion for baseball. I would love to have people come dressed as their favorite sports personality. It would be awesome to have an organized sports games (i.e. baseball, flag football, or basketball) where everyone could play regardless of their skill level.
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Tell us about your career path at TEAM. How did you start?
I started in the warehouse as a part-time employee, soon after, I was brought on full-time as a Bacardi Event Manger for Miami. After covering those events, I was dedicated to Brown-Forman as an Event Manager for events from WPB to Key West. Eventually I was promoted to Regional Manager for the Southeast region, and later had an opportunity to serve as the Bacardi Premium Brands Program Director. When MDC purchased Team in 2009, I became the Program Director for Volkswagen. In 2011, I spearheaded our Production Department producing programs for HomeGoods, Bic, Vanguard, Fruit Shoot, Google, Andretti Sports Marketing, etc.
In 2013, we were given the opportunity to produce Bacardi’s global meeting events in Miami at Ice Palace and 1111 Lincoln Road, and we knocked it out of the park! That was the start of Bacardi acknowledging TEAM’s production capabilities. Soon after we were asked to produce programs like Bacardi Legacy Competition, Nightclub & Bar Show, MIB Regionals, etc. This past year, I was promoted to VP of Production, which means I get to oversee all production for the company including our warehouse and content department.
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What do you like most about your role within experiential marketing?
I like having the responsibility of taking a concept from paper (a render), and making it a reality. I enjoy all the things that go into that process. The meetings, vendor calls, planning, coordination, logistics, and onsite which is where you see all the hard work come to life. The constant change I have to “create” for our clients is one of the main reasons I love my job. I truly enjoy pushing our department in creating events that we thought may not have been possible.
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Do you have a dream car?
Porsche 911 GT3
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What is your favorite way to unwind after a big event?
If I’m still onsite or in market, I enjoy spending time with my team after a successful event. Whether it’s having a celebratory cocktail, or having a nice meal together. Then, I normally take a red-eye the next morning to get home and spend time with my family (Melissa, Tyler and Olivia).
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If you could take a trip to any destination in the world where would you go? Kids or no kids?
A 2-week vacation to Hawaii with the wife and kids. If it’s just the wife and I, then definitely the Maldives.
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What was your favorite thing about playing baseball?
Aside from having the opportunity to play at all levels from high school to professional, I would say the competition. There is no greater feeling than performing well in a clutch situation for your team.
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Where do you look for inspiration for new productions ideas?
I look at different outlets such as TV, publication, social, etc. For example, when I watch the Super Bowl halftime show, I don’t look at the performance, I look at all the behind the scenes movements, props, and technology being used. A lot of my ideas come while I’m driving to work on the 2-3 days a week that I commute 1.5 hours roundtrip. Aside from calls or listening to audio books, I like driving with no sounds on. It’s incredible how your intuition starts picking up things and starts going through that “build” process until it becomes a fully flushed out idea.
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What values do you instill in your team?
Everything is earned not given. If you want something, write out a plan and don’t stop until you get it. Lead by example and be punctual.
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What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into production but doesn’t know where to start?
Find someone you know in that industry and ask if you can shadow them for a week, or work an event as a general labor or stage hands.
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We all have that one gift that got away as a kid. What is the one thing you hoped for, but never found under your Christmas tree? (Hint,hint..for anyone looking to buy a gift for Pete)
Still waiting for my Porsche 911 GT3. Lol…
Pete resides in sunny Miami with his wife of 13 years, and two children. When he’s not in the office or traveling for work, you can catch him with the family or on the ball-field. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn or follow him on Instagram to learn more about how he lives #ThatTEAMLife