#854: PGA TOUR's Zach Carlson on creating an amazing fan experience

In an era dominated by high-definition home entertainment and endless digital distractions, what does it take to convince a fan that a live, in-person experience is not just worth their time and money, but is something they can't afford to miss? Agility requires not just having a plan, but building a system to listen and respond to your audience in real time. It’s about turning feedback from a retrospective report into an in-the-moment action plan. Following the recent Qualtrics X4 Summit in Seattle, we're going to talk about what it takes to engineer a world-class fan experience. We'll explore how a legacy brand moves beyond the traditional event model to create personalized, memorable moments, and how they use real-time data not just to measure satisfaction, but to proactively shape the fan journey from the moment someone buys a ticket to long after they've left the course.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Zach Carlson, Director of Fan Engagement at PGA TOUR. About Zach Carlson As a Director of Fan Engagement - Decision Sciences at PGA TOUR, I leverage my consumer research expertise and project management skills to gather feedback and insights from various stakeholders, including fans, players, and employees. I have over 10 years of experience in applying data-driven marketing and research strategies to support business decisions and optimize outcomes.I am passionate about enhancing the fan experience and creating value for the PGA TOUR brand and partners. I built and managed the PGA TOUR Fan Council, a research community of over 12,000 fans who help us identify what golf fans want and shape the products and experiences we create. I also lead the implementation of @Qualtrics CX and EX solutions throughout the organization to measure and improve customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty. I enjoy working with cross-functional teams and communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Zach Carlson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyjcarlson/ Resources PGA TOUR: https://www.pgatour.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company