MELT ATL

08/21/2026

One of the best investments you can make in your career costs about $3.

Buy a thank-you card.

A real one.

Paper.

Envelope.

Stamp.

Then write something in it.

By hand.

Sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it?

Good.

That's exactly why it works.

Everybody texts.

Everybody emails.

And now everybody can ask AI to generate a perfectly polished thank-you message in five seconds.

Very few people stop long enough to actually write one.

When somebody gives me their time...

Makes an introduction...

Offers advice...

Opens a door...

Or helps me when they didn't have to...

I want them to know it mattered.

A handwritten note communicates something an email rarely does:

You mattered enough for me to slow down.

I've learned over more than four decades that your personal brand isn't built through one big moment.

It's built through hundreds of little ones.

How you follow up.

Whether you remember someone's name.

Whether you do what you promised.

Whether you show gratitude.

Whether people feel better after interacting with you.

That's Brand U, Too

Relationships I built decades ago have created opportunities I never could have predicted.

Not because I had some sophisticated networking strategy.

Because I tried to value people.

So here's your Brand U challenge this week:

Buy some thank-you cards.

Think about one person who helped you recently.

Write the note.

Put a stamp on it.

Mail it.

No text.

No email.

No AI.

Just you.

📘 It's one of the many relationship-building principles behind *Build Brand U, Too*.

Explore the book and coaching at www.BuildBrandUToo.com.

Run your career like a startup. Get the Build Brand U, Too ebook, the exclusive CEO Student Playbook, the bundle, or 1:1 coaching with Vince Thompson.

08/20/2026

Your LinkedIn profile isn't a resume.

It's a living billboard.

I can't tell you how many people tell me they're looking for their next opportunity.

Then I look at their LinkedIn.

Last post?

Eight months ago.

Headline?

The job they don't even have anymore.

About section?

Written years ago.

And they're wondering why nobody is finding them.

Here's the reality:

Before someone meets you, they're probably going to meet your digital brand.

Recruiters are searching you.

Employers are researching you.

Potential clients are Googling you.

And AI is increasingly influencing how candidates are identified and evaluated before a human ever enters the process.

That's why your personal brand can't become something you suddenly think about when you need a job.

You have to build it before you need it.

Refresh your LinkedIn every week.

Share what you're learning.

Talk about what you're passionate about.

Show people what problems you can solve.

Then identify the people and companies you want to know.

Follow them.

Learn from them.

Comment intelligently.

Support their work.

I call it following and softening your targets.

Don't make your first interaction with somebody an ask.

Build familiarity first.

Because in today's job market, Indeed can start feeling a lot like "No Indeed."

Submitting another application into an algorithm isn't a complete career strategy.

Build your brand.

Build your network.

Build your visibility.

Opportunity rarely knocks on an invisible door.

That's a major reason I wrote Build Brand U, Too and built the coaching platform around it.

📘 Learn more at www.BuildBrandUToo.com.

Run your career like a startup. Get the Build Brand U, Too ebook, the exclusive CEO Student Playbook, the bundle, or 1:1 coaching with Vince Thompson.

08/18/2026

**You need a business card. Yes...in 2026.**

I know what you're thinking.

"Vince, nobody uses business cards anymore."

Wrong.

After more than four decades in business, I've learned that people don't remember everyone they meet.

They remember the people who make it easy to remember them.

A business card isn't just contact information.

It's a **desktop billboard for Brand U.**

An email disappears.

A text gets buried.

A LinkedIn connection becomes one of hundreds.

But that card can sit on someone's desk until the day an opportunity comes along and suddenly...

There you are.

We're living in an AI economy where almost everything can be created, automated, and delivered in seconds.

But AI can't walk across a room.

It can't shake someone's hand.

It can't look someone in the eye.

And it can't build a genuine relationship for you.

That's one of the lessons behind *Build Brand U, Too*.

Your personal brand isn't just what people see online.

It's what they remember about you after you've left the room.

**This week's Brand U challenge:**

Get some business cards.

Carry them.

Use them.

And make yourself memorable.

Sometimes the most powerful networking tool in an AI economy costs about 20 cents.

📘 *Build Brand U, Too* is available now.

Learn more about the book, coaching, and the Build Brand U platform at www.BuildBrandUToo.com.

08/12/2026

AI Created Infinite Game Days: The Off-Season Is Over

For decades, sports organizations built their business around one thing:

Game day.

Sell the tickets.

Fill the stadium.

Activate the sponsors.

Win the game.

Then do it all over again next week.

That model is disappearing.

Artificial intelligence is transforming sports from an event-driven business into a 365-day engagement platform. Fans no longer experience sports for three hours on Saturday—they interact with teams, athletes, brands, venues, media, and each other every day.

That's why I'm incredibly excited our SXSW 2027 panel has been selected for Community Voting.

AI Created Infinite Game Days: The Off-Season Is Over

I'm honored to share the stage with two extraordinary leaders who are helping shape the future of sports.

David McKillips is one of the nation's premier transformational CEOs. From leading Six Flags through significant change to helping reinvent Chuck E. Cheese after COVID and now serving as CEO of Topgolf, David has consistently demonstrated how iconic brands evolve to meet changing consumer expectations while creating unforgettable experiences.

Charlie Ebersol is one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in sports and media today. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Infinite Athlete, Charlie is helping redefine how technology powers sports from athletes and teams to venues and fans. His career also includes building XOS into one of the industry's leading sports technology companies, producing Emmy Award-winning television, helping launch TMRW Sports, and leading innovation across football, golf, and professional sports.

As for me...

I've spent more than four decades helping shape the business of sports from the Bo Jackson era at Auburn to representing The Coca-Cola Company for more than 22 years across many of its multi-billion-dollar sponsorship platforms.

As Founder & CEO of MELT and author of Build Brand U, Too, I've been fortunate to work with universities, conferences, professional sports organizations, Fortune 500 companies, athletes, and brands to help build meaningful relationships that create long-term business value.

Together we'll explore what happens when AI removes the idea of an "off-season."

We'll discuss:
• AI-powered fan engagement
• Intelligent venues
• NIL and revenue-sharing ecosystems
• Personalized sponsorships
• Predictive analytics
• Digital twins
• Connected athletes
• New revenue streams
• The future of sports business

The next generation of sports organizations won't simply have better technology.

They'll create entirely new business models.

If you believe this conversation belongs on the SXSW stage, I'd truly appreciate your vote.

❤️ Vote here:
https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting/session/1784731650015001tjZI

Thank you for your support.



FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

What if the off-season disappeared?

Not because there were more games...

But because AI created new ways for fans to engage every single day.

That's exactly what we'll be discussing at SXSW if our panel is selected.

I'm honored to be joined by two incredible innovators:

🏌️ David McKillips, CEO of Topgolf and one of the country's leading transformational executives.

🏈 Charlie Ebersol, Co-Founder & CEO of Infinite Athlete, Emmy Award-winning producer, and one of the leading innovators shaping the future of sports technology.

Together, we'll explore how AI is changing fan engagement, NIL, sponsorships, venues, media, and the future of sports.

For more than 45 years, I've had the privilege of working across college athletics and sports marketing from Bo Jackson's days at Auburn to representing Coca-Cola through many of its biggest sponsorships and I've never seen change happen this fast.

If you'd like to see this conversation on the SXSW stage...

❤️ We'd love your vote.

https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting/session/1784731650015001tjZI

Thank you!



X

The off-season is over.

AI is creating Infinite Game Days.

Honored to join:
• David McKillips (CEO, Topgolf)
• Charlie Ebersol (Co-Founder & CEO, Infinite Athlete)

After 45+ years in sports marketing, I believe this is the biggest shift our industry has ever seen.

Help us bring this conversation to SXSW.

❤️ Vote:
https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting/session/1784731650015001tjZI

08/03/2026

More Than a Book. A Blueprint for the Future of Work.

Artificial intelligence is changing the workforce faster than any of us imagined.

Entire layers of middle management are disappearing. Traditional career paths are evolving overnight. Recent graduates are entering one of the most competitive job markets in decades.

But one thing hasn’t changed.

Relationships still matter.
Leadership still matters.
Ex*****on still matters.
Your personal brand still matters.

That’s why I’m excited to announce the release of Build Brand U, Too.

This isn’t simply another business book.

It’s the foundation of an ecosystem I’ve been building for more than two decades through MELT University (MELT U), a platform dedicated to helping students, young professionals, career transitioners, and leaders build meaningful careers through mentorship, real-world experience, leadership development, and personal branding.

Inside you’ll discover practical strategies for:

• Building your personal brand

• Creating opportunities instead of waiting for them

• Developing relationships that open doors

• Becoming indispensable in an AI-driven economy

The launch also includes:

✔️ Build Brand U Blueprint Coaching

✔️ MELT University

✔️ Interactive Workbooks

✔️ Digital Learning Resources

✔️ Executive Coaching

✔️ CEO Podcasts

✔️ The VT Rolodex

✔️ Online Courses & Tutorials

✔️ Speaking & Corporate Workshops

For more than 25 years, I’ve helped organizations build brands.

Today, my mission is to help people build theirs.

The future won’t belong to those who fear change.

It will belong to those who prepare for it.

📘 Build Brand U, Too is available now.

Visit BuildBrandUToo.com to learn more, purchase the book, explore coaching opportunities, and become part of the Build Brand U community.

Run your career like a startup. Get the Build Brand U, Too ebook, the exclusive CEO Student Playbook, the bundle, or 1:1 coaching with Vince Thompson.

07/29/2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup changed more than the sports business.

It changed what the next generation of sports careers will look like.

Students entering the industry today have opportunities that barely existed a decade ago from sports analytics and AI to premium hospitality, fan experience, sponsorship strategy, content creation, host city operations, and data-driven marketing.

The future belongs to people who know how to build relationships, solve problems, and create opportunities.

That’s why I wrote Build Brand U, Too.

Whether you’re a student, young professional, or someone looking to reinvent your career, the principles are the same: build your brand, expand your network, and never stop learning.

📘 Get the book.

🤝 Join the VT Rolodex.

🚀 Explore Build Brand U Blueprint coaching.

The World Cup may have ended, but the opportunities it created are just getting started.

https://buildbrandutoo.com/

Instagram

The World Cup didn’t just change soccer.

It changed sports careers.

⚽ Analytics
📊 Data
🏟️ Fan Experience
🥂 Premium Hospitality
🤝 Sponsorships
🎟️ Revenue Strategy
🌎 Global Events
📱 Content Creation

Tomorrow’s sports leaders won’t just know the game.

They’ll know how to build brands, create relationships, and solve business problems.

That’s why I wrote Build Brand U, Too.

📘 Book
🤝 VT Rolodex
🚀 Blueprint Coaching

Your career starts before your first job.

07/15/2026

Joe is THE MAN for any event or occasion! And to boot, a very kind and generous person!

Last week I got to play piano and do some magic for the team at MELT ATL in Atlanta. Vince Thompson built MELT into one of the largest experiential marketing agencies in the country, so his note afterward meant a lot:

"Joe makes everything and everyone he touches… EPIC!"
— Vince Thompson, Founder & CEO, MELT

Thank you, Vince. That was a good room and a better crowd. Grateful to be working with you in Atlanta.

07/13/2026

One of Atlanta’s best parties of the year.

Last week, MELT and Team YEBO transformed the courtyard at Yebo Summer Beach Haus into an unforgettable celebration of relationships, hospitality, and the official launch of Build Brand U, Too.

The food.

The cocktails.

The desserts.

The entertainment.

The atmosphere.

The people.

Every detail was designed to create an experience guests wouldn’t forget.

A special thank you to Gary and Carol Godfrey for one of the most emotional moments of the evening and to Joe Turner, the legendary Peabody Hotel pianist and magician, for keeping everyone entertained throughout the night.

We were honored to celebrate with clients, partners, media, and friends, including David McKillips, Charlie Ebersol, Ken Sugiura, Dr. Barry Lee, Dr. Steven Spitz, Bill Seely, John Newby, Leroy Hite, Sabrina Davis, John Mount, Gary McKillips, and so many others.

Planning your next corporate event?

Let MELT create an experience your guests will never forget.

And if you’re searching for the perfect venue, Yebo Summer Beach Haus should be at the top of your list.

Stay tuned for details on the MELT Holiday Party at Yebo Ski Haus this December.

07/10/2026

What.
A.
Night.

The 2026 MELT Summer Meltdown was more than a celebration.

It was a reminder that the greatest opportunities in business always begin with relationships.

Hosted at Yebo Beach Haus, the evening's vibrant South African-inspired cuisine, coastal atmosphere, and warm hospitality provided the perfect backdrop for bringing together a true who's who of Atlanta's sports and business community.

We were honored to celebrate the official launch of Build Brand U, Too alongside clients, partners, media, friends, and industry leaders who continue to shape the future of sports, business, and marketing.

A special thank you to Joe Turner, the world-renowned Peabody Hotel pianist and magician, whose unforgettable performance kept the room entertained all evening.

And one of the night's most memorable moments came from my Auburn classmates, Gary and Carol Godfrey. Gary's heartfelt remarks about his ALS journey reminded every person in the room what resilience, friendship, and purpose truly look like. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

To everyone who joined us, thank you for celebrating this milestone and for believing in what we're building together.

The launch of Build Brand U, Too is only the beginning.

Here's to stronger brands.

Stronger partnerships.

And stronger communities.

Until next year.

07/09/2026

Every great partnership starts with a conversation.

Tonight, we're excited to welcome clients, partners, friends, media, and industry leaders to the annual MELT Summer Meltdown at YEBO Summer Beach Haus in Atlanta.

This year's event is especially meaningful as we celebrate the official launch of Build Brand U, Too, Vince Thompson's new book focused on helping students and young professionals build careers with intention, purpose, and a strong personal brand.

We'll also be joined by a true who's who of Atlanta's sports and business community top CEOs, industry leaders, longtime partners, and distinguished guests coming together to celebrate relationships, leadership, and what's next.

The evening will feature live entertainment from world-renowned Peabody Hotel pianist and magician Joe Turner, remarks from ALS advocate and Auburn classmate Gary Godfrey, and conversations with many of the people helping shape the future of sports, marketing, and business.

Alongside custom-crafted cocktails, South African-inspired cuisine, live entertainment, and a few surprises, tonight isn't simply about launching a book.

It's about celebrating the relationships that continue to move our industry forward.

Thank you to everyone joining us.

We're looking forward to another unforgettable evening and to officially beginning the next chapter for Build Brand U, Too.