Page 184 - Free the Idea Monkey

For example, Hank Adams walked confidently into our office in

the spring of 1995. He and his classmate and business partner, Eric

Carbone, had an idea. They wanted to use the extremely new Internet

technology to create “the world’s first online sports bar.” They imag-

ined an online destination where people could

talk smack with their friends who went to a rival

college, buy pro and college merchandise, and

maybe even wager on a game. Hank had played

college football and, as a graduate student at

Northwestern, he saw an opportunity to keep

sports central to his life.

Not only was the Internet new, but the whole idea of a virtual

meeting place was no less than revolutionary.

For the next six months, we helped Hank and Eric build their

vision. Research, prototypes and meetings were held in which we

helped them think through both creative and operational challenges.

Their partnership was a classic example of Monkey and

(Ring)leader. Hank had a million ideas and Eric was charged with

seeing the best ideas through (and keeping costs under control, since

money was tight). You either feel strongest
In the end, Extreme Fans® was born. brainstorming ideas or you
feel strongest getting them
As it turns out, their vision was spot on.
Extreme Fans was purchased by AOL to market. Pick one and
and eventually became their channel for find a partner who is good
sports. Today, nearly 30 million fantasy
at the other.

football players would agree that Hank My experience: you can be
and Eric were on to something in 1995. average at both or you can
Both Hank and Eric will tell you that they
could not have created Extreme Fans find a partner and be
brilliant at one of them.

without each other.

By the way, Hank didn’t give up on sports innovation. He’s now

the CEO of Sportvision and you see his work every weekend. You

know that yellow first-down line that magically appears during foot-

ball broadcasts? Hank is responsible for this and other innovations.

In 2010, Sportvision was named as one of the top 100 most innova-

tive companies by Fast Company Magazine.

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