Rob Coble | networking-nerds

I consider myself fortunate. I have been blessed and have been able to work amongst my passions for over 30 years now. I have experienced life like I never could have imagined and I attribute it to the relationships and the connections I have made throughout my journey. Everything I have in life can be pinned down as a direct result of networking. Somebody always knows somebody who knows somebody else. I even met my wife through a networking connection. I was fortunate to have parents that taught me solid values and how to get along with other people.

I was uncomfortable at first and it took me awhile to break out of my shell. Insecurities loomed large and I was afraid to ask questions for fear of appearing stupid and unaware. I was afraid to go out there and get the tools I needed for fear that people would criticize me for lacking them in the first place. I was driven however to make my own way and quickly realized that no one was going to hand me the keys to the kingdom and if I wanted something I would need to adapt and find a way to make it happen. It was a lot easier for me to change a few things about myself rather than expect the rest of the world to change in order to accommodate me.

I took my first step towards merging my career and my passion with a job working full time at my local Michigan record store, Harmony House back in 1980. My dream of making a living in the industry didn’t materialize until 10 years later when I began his career in Marketing with the iconic label IRS Records as the Southwest Regions Marketing Manager.

I had a blast and cut my teeth working with acts such as Concrete Blonde, Dread Zeppelin and Lillian Axe before accepting a position with NARM’s 3 time Wholesaler of the year award winner Valley Record Distributors. After 6 months I was promoted with the opportunity of overseeing the companies 250,000 SKU base. I had many opportunities to also implement and contributed to the companies many money making marketing campaigns. My main goal at Valley was to work hard and establish a positive reputation for myself amongst the many music industry executives I served. My hope was to be able to relocate back on the east coast in a similar type capacity within a five year time frame.

I was fortunate that my passion for the front lines led me back to the label side of the industry in 1996 when I accepted the position of Regional Director for the Universal Music Group, overseeing all of the companies Sales and Marketing efforts in the Southeast. I worked on a plethora of diverse projects, most notably Andrea Boccelli, U2, Eminem, George Strait, Reba McEntire and Diana Krall to name but a few. I had the pleasure of implementing and working with many 3rd party marketing campaigns including Shell Oil, Walgreens, Seagram Americas and partnering with sports franchises the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers and the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins.

After 20 plus successful years in Music I relocated back near family and settled in to my current position as a Career Advisor and Industry Outreach Manager for Full Sail University in Winter Park Florida. Today I have the honor of working with Students and Alumni in Game Development. I help them to gain entry into the industry they love. I am also privileged to serve as the primary conduit for the Game Industry and their relationship to the University and it’s student and alumni base.

Since 2004 I has worked tirelessly to forge and build relationships with key players throughout the game, casino and simulation communities. I work closely with students and graduates and help nurture and prepare them for careers at companies such as EA, Rockstar, Microsoft, Blizzard, iD Software and many other independent, social and mobile gaming companies.

I live in Central Florida with My wife of almost 20 years Brenda and Maggie the Labrador. I love and remain passionate for all media, especially music and books. I am a lifelong fan of Baseball and Hockey and remain a die-hard Detroit Tiger and Red Wing fan. I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling and enjoying life in general.