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Jody Dankberg

personactive37 mentionsFirst seen Nov 21, 2009Last seen Jan 17, 2026

Profile

Jody Dankberg is a key member of Stern Pinball's leadership and operations team, serving as Director of Licensing where he has secured major deals including the first-ever Led Zeppelin pinball license. He is also a co-host of the 'Drinks with Jack' video series and has been involved in production coordination work with the Shippy team. His role in licensing is described as challenging, and his understanding of customer needs has been questioned by industry figures.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (6)

  • factualhigh

    Jack Danger is a major behind-the-scenes part of SHUI production, not just a host.

    Source: direct statementDrinks with Jack* (Featuring Rebecca Hinsdale and Jody Dankberg) - Ep 8 Imoto Harney & Tim Sexton
  • factualmedium

    Jody Dankberg is responsible for Stern's repeated launch failures, including Stranger Things at CES

    Source: KanedaEpisode 718: "James Bond First Impressions"
  • factualmedium

    Jody Dankberg outbid Spooky Pinball for the Godzilla license after Spooky publicly announced their interest

    Source: KanedaEpisode 674: "Pinball Vision is Everything"
  • rumormedium

    Gary Stern (Stern Pinball CEO) purchased two Heavy Metal machines—one for home and one for Cabo

Recent Mentions (38)

  • Leadership at Stern Pinball; Kaneda critiques Comic-Con marketing decision as questionable judgment

    Episode 701: "Kaneda's $15,000 Challenge"Jul 26, 2022
  • Appears at end of stream playing Munsters with Jack Danger; provides commentary on gameplay experience

    The Munsters Pinball Game Reveal! PT2Jan 9, 2019
  • Stern representative whom Shane met at CES three or four years ago; facilitated Stern Army location status

    #23 Korean BBQ and pinball. The Classic Pinball Podcast.Jan 21, 2020
  • VP of Marketing at Stern Pinball; blamed by Kaneda for repeated launch strategy failures including Stranger Things CES and James Bond reveal

    Episode 718: "James Bond First Impressions"Sep 13, 2022
  • Stern Pinball executive/decision-maker on theme selections; criticized for lazy IP strategy and over-reliance on Disney/Marvel

    Episode 983: "Time To Bring The Hits Out!"Aug 9, 2024
  • Stern Pinball licensing/product manager; alleged to have negotiated Godzilla deal by outbidding Spooky after learning their interest

    Episode 674: "Pinball Vision is Everything"

Contradictions

  • Existing: Director of Licensing at Stern Pinball (from mention 5, dated 2020-12-16)vsConflicting: Shippy team member involved in production and coordination (from mention 0, dated 2022-11-04)
    Unresolved

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Dead Flip stream (speculation by Jody)HEAVY METAL PINBALL! Private Label game from Incendium!
  • factualhigh

    Jody Dankberg was promoted to licensing director position after previously handling marketing and licensing hybrid role

    Source: Ken Cromwell's industry knowledgeThe Pinball Show Ep 3: Eating Crow and Wishful Thinking
  • factualhigh

    Jody Dankberg was hired as new Director of Marketing to conduct customer research

    Source: ArticleNew Stern Investor
  • May 4, 2022
  • Stern Pinball representative who discovered Jack streaming at The Walking Dead reveal and invited him to stream the game

    Ep 47: Jack "Danger" LarsonOct 29, 2020
  • Stern Pinball executive; noted to have relationships with entertainment studios; involved in licensing deal acquisition for Stern

    Episode 663: "Crazy Rumors Galore"Mar 30, 2022
  • Present during stream, participates in gameplay, provides commentary and banter with Jack and others

    HEAVY METAL PINBALL! Private Label game from Incendium!Oct 10, 2020
  • Stern licensing contact who approached Ed Robertson about Rush pinball, relayed band's requirement for Ed's involvement

    Ep 78: Making Greatness with Ed RobertsonFeb 2, 2022
  • Licensing executive at Stern; described as obtaining 'greatest licenses'; friend of Packer; consulted on IP opportunities

    Ep 114: Year of the Yeti part 2 with Jermey PackerAug 3, 2023
  • Licensing handler for Rush (Premium)

    RUSH PINBALL PREMIUM GAMEPLAY REVEAL. ( Stern Pinball 2022 )Jan 8, 2022
  • Representative of Stern Pinball present at event distributing promotional flyers

    OCTOBER'S TOP TWITCH CLIPS FOR DEAD FLIP PINBALLNov 10, 2017
  • Contact at Stern Pinball; Jack references speaking with Jody about game whitewoods

    Modded Pabst Can Crusher Pinball | Logan Arcade, Chicago ILApr 6, 2017
  • Stern representative who invited Jack to stream The Walking Dead reveal party, catalyzing first major tournament broadcast

    Jack Danger - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • Stern Pinball licensing director; present at factory event

    We Played King Kong at the Stern Factory!!Apr 28, 2025
  • Former marketing director at Stern Pinball; promoted to director of licensing and new business development

    Episode 41 - Cold Waters Drown the Silver BallAug 13, 2017
  • Senior executive at Stern Pinball; comes from metal promotion background; may have ties to music licensing

    Episode 15 - Don Discusses Divergent DistractionsAug 18, 2016
  • Stern Pinball executive; transitioned from marketing responsibilities to Director of Licensing and New Business Development role

    ZACH SHARPE INTERVIEWSep 4, 2017
  • Stern Pinball Senior Director of Licensing and New Business Development; inducted to Hall of Fame 2024; panelist on licensing

    PINBALL EXPO 2024 - PART TWOOct 28, 2024
  • Stern Pinball Senior Director of Licensing and New Business who welcomed factory tour guests

    PINBALL EXPO 2018 - THURSDAYOct 18, 2018
  • New Director of Marketing hired by Stern Pinball to conduct customer research and outreach

    New Stern InvestorNov 21, 2009
  • Head of Marketing and Licensing at Stern Pinball

    MAKING PINBALL IS HARDMar 24, 2016
  • Stern Pinball representative interviewed by Nate about Ghostbusters technical features

    Is Virtual Reality the Pinnacle of Pinball?Mar 14, 2016
  • Person Robert Mueller publicly thanked on Facebook as inspiration for Deep Root; context unclear

    BDYETP 52: A Punny, Deep-Rooted AvengingSep 29, 2020
  • Stern Pinball executive; referenced for potential Back to the Future license acquisition efforts

    The Pinball Show Ep 82: Upcoming Stern Pinball Titles & Giving Thanks To JoleneNov 30, 2021
  • Stern licensing executive; involved in title selection and IP negotiations

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast January 2024 recap + Gary Stern, David Fix and Dinner with Jack GuarnieriFeb 4, 2024
  • Stern Pinball's licensing manager; noted as music-focused, responsible for band IP portfolio strategy.

    The Pinball Show Ep 127: The Death Of 1 & The Birth Of 2.0May 9, 2023
  • Stern Pinball licensing director; credited with securing recent diverse licenses including music/IP deals; behind-the-scenes role

    The Pinball Show Ep 3: Eating Crow and Wishful ThinkingFeb 24, 2020
  • Stern Pinball Director of Licensing; contacted by Josh Sharp regarding TMNT license acquisition

    The Pinball Show Ep 12: Is Pinball Ready For The Main Stage?May 4, 2020
  • Stern Pinball tour guide who helped arrange host's first podcast interview with Steve Ritchie in November 2016

    Episode 400: Eugene JarvisJul 21, 2024
  • Director of licensing at Stern Pinball; credited with securing first-ever Led Zeppelin pinball license

    Episode 293: Timmy Page SextonDec 16, 2020
  • Stern Pinball executive responsible for securing licenses; offers approved licenses to designers

    Episode 54 – 70% Skill. 20% Luck. 10% H2H shirtJul 30, 2018
  • Shippy team member involved in production and coordination, discussed as integral to behind-the-scenes work

    Drinks with Jack* (Featuring Rebecca Hinsdale and Jody Dankberg) - Ep 8 Imoto Harney & Tim SextonNov 4, 2022
  • Co-host/attendee of 'Drinks with Jack' episode

    Drinks with Jack* (Featuring Rebecca Hinsdale and Jody Dankberg) - Ep 10 Gary Stern and Seth DavisNov 19, 2022
  • Stern leadership; Kaneda questions if he understands what customers want

    Kaneda's Pinball Podcast Saturday Morning Spectacular Jan 17Jan 17, 2026
  • Co-host of 'Drinks with Jack' video series (appears in title)

    Drinks with Jack* (Featuring Rebecca Hinsdale and Jody Dankberg) - Ep 9 Jeremy "Zombie Yeti" PackerNov 10, 2022
  • Stern Pinball staff member whose job dealing with licensing is described as 'a nightmare' by Chuck Ernst

    Drinks With Jack Featuring Art Leads Jeremy Packer, Steven Martin & Chuck Ernst (Part 2)Dec 30, 2025