Breakaway to a Win

Networking can be the key to places you never imagined. One alumnus even credits networking with putting him on the path to an Emmy Award.

Even before Nate Hone, B.B.A.’13, had graduated with a degree in advertising and promotion, he had his sights set on the world of video and media and worked with a Grand Rapids-based keynote speaker producing instructional videos. A few months after graduation, he accepted a position as a video producer with the Grand Rapids Griffins, a Detroit Red Wing’s American Hockey League affiliate. There, he gained invaluable experience working in the sports and entertainment industry. Just a year and a half into that position, Hone learned through networking that the San Jose Sharks were looking for video producers.

“I accepted a position with the Sharks, packed up and moved across the country,” says Hone. “It was the best decision of my life. I now live in California, work with very talented people and even experienced a run to the Stanley Cup Final last year.”

Two years into his time with the Sharks as a digital media production manager, the digital media team was looking for a piece to submit for an Emmy award.

“We were originally trying to submit my documentary series, but since it hadn’t aired on TV in its entirety, it wasn’t eligible,” says Hone. “We decided instead to submit one of our commercials for nomination.”

Two months after their submission, the team received word that their video was nominated for an Emmy, a first for the Sharks organization. Hone was excited but wanted to focus on the experience of being nominated instead of getting too excited about the possibility of winning.

“After seeing all of the other submissions in the category, I didn’t expect to win,” he says. “There were some really great campaigns nominated alongside ours. I told myself I was going to attend the awards, take it all in and really work hard to be nominated again next year.”

And then on Saturday, June 3, Hone was in for the surprise of his career thus far. The San Jose Sharks won the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Emmy Award for Best Commercial–single Spot or Campaign.

“We won, and it was so surreal,” says Hone. “I couldn’t believe it!”

The win was even more meaningful for Hone, as it was a part of a goal he set for himself when he was first starting his career with the Sharks.

“When I took my job, I told my boss I wanted to win an Emmy. It was my number one goal and it happened. Winning an Emmy for a commercial meant even more to me as an advertising alumnus. I feel like I’ve come full circle.”

Hone served as producer and editor on the Emmy-winning production team. Other team members included Doug Bentz, executive producer, and producers Josh Denberg, Dustin Lamendola, Casey Leppanen and Laura McAllister Davis.