Milk & Honey’s New Sports Agency Hits The Ground Running [Interview]

Pictured (L-R): Rawleigh Williams, Lucas Keller, Jacob Presser, Dave Frank, Alex Harrow. Photo: Courtesy of Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey has grown into a successful international music agency representing artists such as J. White Did It, David Hodges, Oak Felder and many more. In January of 2021, Founder and President Lucas Keller announced their expansion into the sports world with the Milk & Honey Sports Division which already has 15 NFL players on their client list.

This idea of starting a new sports agency came to fruition after conversations between Keller and Dave Frank, co-head of Artist Management/Sports Advisor/Manager, where they both agreed that the sports world and music world shares a lot of similarities. The duo also felt that they already had a foot in the door with the success of their music and entertainment agency.

“Frank said, ‘Man, what about starting a sports division?'” says Keller. “I didn’t totally get it at first, because we were so focused on music. I didn’t really understand what the intersection was to have both. Then the more we talked about it, the more I realized there’s all this overlap and these relationships.”

Frank, along with longtime agents Jacob Presser (sports division co-head) and Rawleigh Williams,  (Client Development, Head of Dallas Office, Sports Division) lead the new sports agency and helped build the new division from last October up to its launch in January of 2021.

Presser, a graduate of Indiana University and New York Law School, has been an agent in the sports industry for 10 years. NFLPA certified, he had always dreamt of being a sports agent since he was young.

“I knew I wanted to be an agent since I was 13 or 14 years old,” says Presser. “All anybody wanted to say is how hard it is to get into and that I should find something else–go be a doctor, go be a lawyer, go get into finance. But for me, I knew I’d be great at it and when I’m doing something I’m passionate about you get a great version of me. I think that’s where I’m at right now.”

When approached with this idea, Presser knew it was the right move and that Milk & Honey had already proven themselves as a music agency. The transition from music to sports was also a point of interest for him. After making the move to Milk & Honey, Presser found little to no resistance from his current clients to come with him.

“The support of of all of my clients has never wavered,” Presser shares. “I think they were excited about the new opportunities that were going to come. I think they also saw the value in coming over here. They saw that now there’s other doors that are going to open for them and there is going to be an opportunity for them to build their brand off the field, meet new people, network, and see the support that we have.”

On the other hand, Keller’s experiences in sports have been relatively scarce. Growing up in Wisconsin, he was a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan. However, outside of that Keller’s mind was on anything but sports. Over time, though, he began to feel that being an agent in the music industry was not all that different from being one in the sports realm.

“One of the similarities is that we’re committed to development,” says Keller. “A huge part of what we’re going to do on the sports side is invest in young athletes. Funding development is something that we’ve been doing on the music side for a long time. We develop people on the master and publishing side and develop young artists, songwriters, and producers. It’s important for us as a company to always be developing the next step.”

As of right now, Milk & Honey Sports will be focusing on football, but with offices in L.A., New York, Atlanta and London, Keller sees room for expansion in the future.

“It would make sense for us to scale a little more in football. I think there’s no question that when we meet the right athlete that wants to be part of what we’re doing, we will staff around that athlete and create something. I think what’s more realistic is to meet an agent, like Jake and Raleigh, that already have a business and they come in and be a part of us,” Keller explains. “The idea is that when you start a business in your first couple of years, you stay really sharp and focused on one thing, and we have a lot to do in football. We’d love to expand into other sports, but we realize that it’s going to take some time. We’re really committed and not impatient in the slightest because we understand that this will take a while to build. But we have a long-term plan to be in other sports, for sure.”

Keller and Presser are excited to bring the Milk & Honey Music model into sports, offering both sports marketing and management.

“One of the things that is unique is that we’re going to do all of the marketing and all of the branding–we’re going to build intellectual property for athletes just like we do with our songwriters, producers, and artists,” says Keller.

“It will be full service at its finest,” adds Presser.

Nashville Native Katie Hill Named Senior Vice President Of NFL Communications

Nashville native Katie Hill has been named the senior vice president of NFL Communications after spending four years working for former President Barack Obama as his Communications Director.

As SVP, Hill will be responsible for leading the NFL’s day-to-day communications operation and aligning the League’s communications strategy with its priorities. She will work closely with the leadership team across departments to ensure consistency of messaging and strategy and to elevate success stories. In addition, she will lead efforts in identifying reputational issues for the League and across the 32 clubs and developing strategies to mitigate their impact.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome someone of Katie’s talent to the NFL,” says Jeff Miller, Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs and Policy. “Her communications vision, world-class strategic instincts, and deep understanding of today’s dynamic media, digital and cultural landscape make her an excellent fit for the League and our goals.”

Hill has 15 years of communications and public affairs experience spanning the White House, Capitol Hill, the private sector and political campaigns. In her most recent role, she curated President Obama’s post-Administration public profile, developing and executing international and domestic communications strategy for the former president, including his political activity, the launch of his production company, Higher Ground, and the publication of his presidential memoir, A Promised Land. She also served as the former president’s chief spokesperson.

From 2014 to 2017, Hill served in the Obama Administration, first as National Press Secretary for health care at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, then joining the White House in 2015 as Assistant Press Secretary and spokesperson for a variety of policy areas, including health care, education, veterans’ affairs, the Council on Women and Girls, and sports.

Hill, a graduate of Harpeth Hall in Nashville and the University of Virginia, will be based at League headquarters in New York.

Titans Sign Former Broncos Wide Receiver Fred Brown

Photo By Alison P. McNabb/Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have signed former Denver Broncos’ wide receiver Fred Brown to a multi-year deal.

Brown played 14 games with the Broncos over the past two season, starting only one of those games. He had two catches for 21 yards, including a 16-yard reception in those games. He’s also played on special teams where he’s picked up five tackles.

After playing at Mississippi State in college, Brown signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free-agent in 2017. He was waived at the end of training camp but re-signed to the team’s practice squad a few weeks later in September 2017.

The Titans, who lost three key receivers in the offseason, only drafted two wideouts in the 2021 NFL Draft last weekend out of eight picks.

Titans 2021 Draft Recap: Focus On Defense

 

Photo: By Brad Moore/Tennessee Titans. Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

The Tennessee Titans walked away from the 2021 NFL Draft with eight new players, five of which are additions to the teams’ defense.

The Titans first pick was cornerback Caleb Farley with the 22nd overall pick. The Virginia Tech junior had a great 2019 season with 20 tackles and six interceptions. He led the ACC with 16 passes defended as a sophomore, garnering first-team All-ACC accolades despite missing the final two games due to injury.

Farley’s selection set a tone for the Titans entire draft, signaling that they’d focus on defense. With the teams second pick, 53rd overall, the Titans selected offensive tackle Dillon Radunz from North Dakota State. Radunz adds to an already solid offensive line, but after a season with some injuries, will offer some security on the line.

The Titans went on to draft inside linebacker Monty Rice (round three, pick 92, Georgia), defensive back Elijah Molden (round three, pick 100, Washington), wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (round four, pick 109, Louisville), outside linebacker Rashad Weaver (round four, pick 135, Pittsburgh), wide receiver Racey McMath (round six, pick 205, LSU), and safety Brady Breeze (round six, pick 215, Oregon).

The Titans additions on offense with receivers Fitzpatrick and McMath address large holes left by the departing of Corey Davis, now with the Jets, Adam Humphries, now with the Washington Football Team, and Jonnu Smith who is now with the Patriots.

These rookies will report to Titans training camp on July 21.

Don’t Bring Cash: Nissan Stadium Announces Transition Into Cashless Payments

Nissan Stadium. Photo: By Danny Parker/Tennessee Titans

Nissan Stadium will being transitioning into a cashless payment facility, expecting to allow faster payment transactions and commit to a more contactless experience through its Safe Stadium Plan.

The rollout of this new cashless system began earlier this month at the Nashville Soccer Club’s opening match on April 17.

Fans can expect all sporting, concert, and other event purchases from ticketing, parking, merchandise, and concessions to be completely cashless. The move is in-line with many arena’s across the country including 20 NFL stadiums.

Payment methods that will be accepted are credit or debit cards, gift cards, and mobile payment services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Fans who arrive with cash only will be directed to Ticket Resolution windows near Sections 108, 309 and 338, where they can purchase a gift card with cash.

The Titans Select Cornerback Caleb Farley In The First Round Of The 2021 NFL Draft

Photo: By Alison P. McNabb/Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have selected cornerback Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The junior had a stellar 2019 season with 20 tackles and six interceptions. He led the ACC with 16 passes defended as a sophomore, garnering first-team All-ACC accolades despite missing the final two games due to injury. The Hickory, North Carolina, native stands at 6 foot 2 and weighs 207 lbs.

Farley didn’t play in the 2020 season due to the pandemic.

The second round of the NFL Draft will be at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN and the Titans will have the 21 pick.

Titans Announce Matt Rogers As New PA Announcer

Matt Rogers. Photo: By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have officially announced that Matt Rogers will be the teams new public address announcer.

Rogers was one of almost 200 candidates who applied for the position. He was also one of six finalists who were invited to audition at Nissan Stadium. Rogers was selected as the winner after a fan vote online and input from Titans leadership.

“I can not begin to express my gratitude to the Titans organization for trusting me with such an honor,” says Rogers. “I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and fans who have supported me. I am honored and I am ready.”

Rogers is a former football player himself, winning the 2001 Rose Bowl as an offensive lineman at the University of Washington. A California native now living in Spring Hill, has been a season ticket-holder since 2015. Rogers also served as a sports broadcaster for Turner Sports, covering the nation’s top college football teams.

He spent time in TV hosting Really Big Things on Discovery Channel and continues work with the network to this day. He also served as the host for Lifetime’s Coming Home, which honored service men and women coming home from deployment and surprising their families. Rogers was also a finalist on season three of American Idol.

The Titans Set To Host Sports Industry Job Fair

Photo: By Alison P. McNabb/Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans will host a sports industry job fair on Saturday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST.

There will be a wide range of opportunities include networking with sports executives, putting your resume in front of the Titans and other sports teams and organizations, as well as the opportunity to receive a professional headshot.

The job fair will also include one game ticket to the 2021 Titans vs. Jaguars game and an opportunity to purchase additional tickets to the Titans vs. Jaguars game at the group rate of $30.

Registration deadline is June 4 at 9 a.m.. For more information, call 615-565-4269 or email jmeredith@titans.nfl.com