From Flores MBA to the PGA TOUR: Andrew Bruning's Journey in Sports Marketing

Flores MBA Alum Andrew Bruning has held many successful jobs in the marketing industry since obtaining his MBA with a marketing specialization in 2013. However, in 2019, his industry experience and network of clients led him to his dream job with his current position as the manager of tournament marketing at PGA TOUR.

We recently talked with Bruning about his career trajectory with the PGA Tour. See what he has to say about advice for MBA students who aspire to work in sports marketing and a standout skill that he learned in the MBA program that he still uses today.

Of the many skills Bruning gained while in the Flores MBA Program, he credits learning how to build a cohesive narrative when developing corporate communications and mastering the craft of collaborating with a team as the most useful in his current career.  

Recently, the PGA Tour announced a merger with its rival league, the LIV Tour. Bruning shared that the teamwork skills he learned in the Flores MBA Program helped him get the job done in an effective manner.

“ The biggest way that my MBA helped me when going through this merger was drawing from my experience with collaborative projects. With the merger, I was working with teams of 50-plus people where we had to redo every piece of collateral. We had to properly promote everyone’s name, image, and likeness in a very, very quick turnaround time. ”

Throughout the Flores MBA Program, students learn that relationships and networking are key components to career success. As Bruning mentions in the interview, forming relationships in your desired field through internships and positions at the minor league level can lead to a successful and rewarding career in sports marketing. 

Networking events are also an important avenue where students could meet a future employer. With sports marketing being such a competitive field to break into, Bruning advises students to have a plan in place before attending networking events. 

“The hardest part of breaking into any industry is getting your foot in the door, so you can’t just treat a networking event as a happy hour where you shake some hands and make small talk,” Bruning said. “Before going to an event, make sure to have an objective in place and commit.” 

If you are interested in a career in the sports industry, an MBA with a specialization in sports business will set you apart from the pack. The Flores MBA Program offers full-time and one-year students the opportunity to choose from 11 in-demand specializations that provide a career-focused curriculum. Your specialization will communicate extensive knowledge of a particular field with applicable skills and tools to prospective employers. While not required, a career-focused curriculum will help you navigate your academic path and make you a more marketable candidate in your chosen industry.

Learn more about how you can personalize your MBA with a specialization in sports business and ten other specialized areas of study.