Marcus Plumb, a Clemson University graduate with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, currently serves as Vice President of Strategy & Growth at Confirmed360, a premier entertainment concierge company that curates exclusive sports, music, and live event experiences for clients around the world.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson?
My initial inspiration came from watching Jerry Maguire and developing a strong desire to work in the sports industry. At Clemson, the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM) major was popular among the football program. I saw this as the best way to build friendships with players, with the ultimate goal of becoming a sports agent.
How did your Clemson experience prepare you for a career in the live event and entertainment industry?
During my time at Clemson, I gained valuable experience that unknowingly laid the foundation for my career in the entertainment industry. My involvement in Greek life, serving as VP of Sigma Nu, a member of the IFC Judicial Board, and on the Young Greek Leaders Board, gave me the chance to develop leadership skills. During my final two years at Clemson, I worked in the service industry, which taught me valuable people skills. I learned to interact with a wide variety of personalities and gained confidence in my communication abilities. In this industry, long days and nights on weekends are the norm, and very few could thrive working Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including double shifts, on a Clemson gameday.
Can you tell us about your current role with Confirmed360 and what your day-to-day looks like as Vice President?
Confirmed360 is a premier entertainment concierge service that curates customized sports, music, and live event experiences, simplifying VIP event booking for clients. Our clientele includes Fortune 500 executives, celebrities, athletes, and high-net-worth individuals seeking experiences such as a Super Bowl suite or a yacht excursion around F1 Monaco. As Vice President of Strategy and Growth, I focus on identifying opportunities to expand our business portfolio, forming partnerships, developing premium rewards programs, and securing exclusive event access for our sales team.
You’ve worked across several major organizations in the sports and entertainment space, how have those experiences shaped your approach to leadership and client engagement?
I have been fortunate to work at companies like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Confirmed360, where I was surrounded by exceptional leadership. My years in Silicon Valley and San Francisco were eye-opening, giving me the opportunity to learn from leaders of billion-dollar organizations with backgrounds at companies like Google, Facebook, and NASA. I vividly recall experiencing imposter syndrome during training at StubHub, wondering how a Clemson PRTM major with a 2.7 GPA ended up among such high-caliber talent. I quickly realized that strong leadership is about team building and valuing diverse perspectives, and that I was there for my industry knowledge and the street smarts I had gained along the way.
What advice would you give current PRTM students who are interested in careers in sports, entertainment, or event management?
My advice is to be actively involved. This industry thrives on live events, so immerse yourself in them. My senior-year internship at the Nashville Sports Council was incredibly insightful, covering everything from SEC football games to Tough Mudder races, and showed me the critical role live events play in a city’s economic growth. These experiences gave me a significant advantage when I applied for my first job in ticket sales for a professional sports team. Lastly, cultivate a genuine passion for the industry. Once you have good teammates, leaders, and mentors, you become a sponge, learn to believe in yourself, and create momentum that drives you forward. As my grandpa always told me, “Love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life.” Among all the majors out there, I truly believe PRTM gives you a path to live out this statement—and I feel that I am.
