ZACH SHARPE INTERVIEW

TL;DR

Zach Sharpe joins Stern as Director of Marketing; outlines growth strategy for Stern Army and consumer engagement.

Summary

Key Claims

• Zach Sharpe is currently ranked #1 in IFPA rankings and serves as Vice President of the IFPA

  high confidence · Opening paragraph and interview content from Pinball News, dated September 4, 2017

• Stern Pinball hired Zach Sharpe as Director of Marketing on August 11, 2017

  high confidence · Direct statement in article: 'When Stern Pinball announced the hiring of a new Director of Marketing on August 11th'

• Jody Dankberg transitioned from marketing responsibilities to Director of Licensing and New Business Development

  high confidence · Zach's interview response clarifying the role transition

• Stern secured a spot to run the inaugural Heads-Up Pinball Championship at the Big Buck Hunter World Championships

  high confidence · Direct quote from Zach: 'Less than a month on the job and we've already secured a spot set-up at the Big Buck Hunter World Championships where we will be running the inaugural Heads-Up Pinball Championship'

• Stern Army program currently operates at 50 locations, with a goal to expand to 500 locations

  high confidence · Zach's statement: 'help foster, nurture and grow this already incredible and impressive army from 50 locations up to 500'

• The Pin entry-level game line has struggled to gain market traction despite multiple versions and sales partners

  high confidence · Article editorial comment: 'Stern has struggled to gain market traction with The Pin, despite trying several different versions and sales partners'

• Pinball market has shifted markedly towards home sales over the past decade

  high confidence · Article commentary: 'the direction of travel has been markedly towards home sales in the past decade'

• Zach previously worked as Senior Marketing Producer at advertising agency iris Worldwide

  high confidence · Opening paragraph biographical information

Notable Quotes

• “With Stern Pinball growing as a company so fast, they were definitely stretched a bit thin on the marketing side of things.”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Explains the business need that prompted his hiring; indicates Stern's rapid growth created resource constraints

• “I would love to expand to the point of where every single person on the entire planet knows and loves pinball!”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Expresses Sharpe's ambitious vision for pinball market expansion and his philosophy as marketing director

• “I can really help foster, nurture and grow this already incredible and impressive army from 50 locations up to 500!”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Concrete growth target for Stern Army program; demonstrates focus on operator engagement strategy

• “It absolutely can get back to the glory years of the early '90s, there's no doubt in my mind.”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Expresses confidence that pinball can return to peak 1990s popularity levels; reflects optimistic industry sentiment

• “until I come across the day where every single person on this planet knows what pinball is, I'd be hard pressed to see how pinball can't or won't keep expanding”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Core philosophy underlying his approach to market growth and awareness building

• “if we aren't happy with the product, the customer won't be (and vice versa)”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Articulates Stern's quality-first philosophy and customer satisfaction approach

• “For as much flack as The Pin gets from the enthusiast community, it's actually a lot of fun to play!”

  Zach Sharpe @ Interview content — Defends The Pin product line despite community criticism; indicates internal confidence in entry-level market

• “most people are introduced one by one into the hobby. It's really a niche, grassroots hobby that is only growing up”

Entities

Signals

• ?

  business_signal: Stern Pinball reorganizing marketing and business development; Jody Dankberg transition from marketing to licensing/new business development indicates functional restructuring

  high · Direct statement: 'His appointment at Stern Pinball comes as Jody Dankberg, who previously held marketing responsibilities, becomes the company's Director of Licensing and New Business Development'

• ?

  community_signal: Stern Army program identified as key initiative for operator engagement and community growth; expansion from 50 to 500 locations is primary marketing focus

  high · Zach's statement about first big initiatives: 'One of the first big initiatives I've been diving into since starting here has been with the Stern Army program. This program and all of the members of this army are such huge assets to the community'

• ?

  community_signal: Stern Pinball conducting factory tours and training new staff on quality assurance processes; demonstrates commitment to internal education and process transparency

  high · Zach's quote: 'One thing that was extremely eye opening to me as I started here and am still learning the ropes, was going on the factory tour (and in fact giving a few of them myself!)'

• ?

  competitive_signal: IFPA Vice President elevated to corporate leadership role; represents integration of competitive pinball community with Stern corporate structure

  high · Zach Sharpe holds position of IFPA Vice President while becoming Stern Director of Marketing; potential alignment of competitive and commercial interests

• ?

  event_signal: Stern secured inaugural Heads-Up Pinball Championship at Big Buck Hunter World Championships within first month of Zach's tenure

Topics

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Zach Sharpe is consistently upbeat and optimistic throughout the interview, expressing confidence in market growth, product quality, and Stern's strategic initiatives. He characterizes himself as an 'eternal optimist' and frames challenges as opportunities. The interviewer also presents Stern's expansion efforts and quality processes positively. No negative sentiment expressed regarding company direction or products.