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Tips Before Going on a Career Sabbatical

 

David Preschlack is the president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. In 2015, David Preschlack and his wife, Alexandra, took sabbaticals from their workplaces to travel with their children to China, Thailand, Australia, and French Polynesia for three months.

More people are taking time off work to fulfill their travel dreams. A travel sabbatical can be a life-changing experience with a lot of benefits. To ensure that your travel goes according to plan, create a budget. Save enough money from your job or business over some time. As an alternative, research possible freelance opportunities or take a second job to earn some funds to pay for your travels.

Moreover, discuss your plans with your employers long before your travel date and help them make arrangements. If you work with a company that is not open to a career sabbatical or the position might not be available on return, make plans for a job search. Ensure your resume and work experience portfolio are updated and uploaded on networking sites like Linkedin. If you are self-employed, make robust arrangements to safeguard your business. If you have children, consider arranging for homeschooling or schedule online education options for them while on the move.

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Tips for Traveling in Thailand

Experienced media executive David Preschlack has worked with NBC Sports Media Group as president and content editor for NBC Sports Regional Networks since 2016. In addition to his professional career, David Preschlack is an experienced traveler, having explored countries such as French Polynesia, Australia, and Thailand during a 3-month trip with his wife and children.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, here are a few tips to stay safe and make the most of your time there:

1. Check the weather before you plan a vacation there. Thailand has two distinctive seasons that will have an impact on the cost of your trip. If you want to travel for less, schedule your trip between May and October, during the country’s monsoon season. The monsoon season will mean you can get better deals on hotels and air travel, but the extra rain could be problematic for your other plans. Between November and April is the country’s dry season, and traveling during this time will afford you great temperatures and low humidity.

2. Don’t drink the local tap water. Stick to bottled water in Thailand. Also watch out for fruits and vegetables that have been washed with tap water. Not following this rule could make you quite ill.

3. A common gesture of greeting in Thailand the wai. This involves holding your hands in a prayer position and offering a bow. Because this is an important part of Thai culture, you should always return the gesture with a smile if someone greets you with a wai.

Extreme Sound and Pressure Wave Created by Krakatoa’s Explosion

Photo by Marc Szeglat on Unsplash

Focused on raising a family with his wife, David Preschlack functions as the president of NBC Sports Group and content strategy activities. A prolific reader, David Preschlack particularly enjoys exploring topics of history and has traveled extensively throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

An article published in Nautilus brought focus to a unique event with profound repercussions that occurred in 1883 in what is now Indonesia. Situated between Sumatra and Java, the island of Krakatoa witnessed an extreme volcanic eruption that partially destroyed the island.

The sound that accompanied that eruption represented the loudest emitted, up to the present, and was audible as “guns firing” 1,300 miles distant in the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. It was also heard as “artillery reports” in Western Australia and New Guinea 2,000 miles away and as the “distant roar of heavy guns” 3,000 miles away on Rodrigues in the vicinity of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It total, the sound was audible to the naked ear over a geographic expanse representing one-third of the globe.

The impact of the sound was extreme for those closer to the event, with the British vessel Norham Castle traveling only 40 miles away when Krakatoa exploded. In his log, the ship’s captain recorded that the eardrums of over half the crew had been shattered, and his “last thoughts” were that “the Day of Judgement has come.”

Interestingly, the blast of high pressure air associated with Krakatoa’s eruption traveled much farther than was audible, with Calcutta barometers registering a spike in atmospheric pressure six hours and 47 minutes after the event and similar impulses reaching weather stations around the globe, from St. Petersburg to Toronto. These pressure waves continued like clockwork for a full five days after the eruption in a never before witnessed phenomenon called “the great air-wave.”

United Way Helps Close the Transportation Gap

Public Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

An accomplished television executive, David Preschlack is the president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. Outside of his professional life David Preschlack, alongside his wife Alex, has a history of giving back through longtime involvement with the United Way. Mr. Preschlack now serves as a member of the organization’s worldwide board of trustees.

Nearly half of the American population can’t access reliable public transportation, but United Way is working with ride-sharing company Lyft and General Motors to help change that. All three are partnering in the “Ride United” initiative that will help these individuals overcome transportation barriers through the power of the 211 network, a public works telephone number that serves as a launching point for those in need of community services.

Through the Ride United program, eligible clients who don’t have access to any other transportation will be able to call 211 and schedule free rides through Lyft. The United Way and its partners are also working hand in hand with community stakeholders to help improve overall access to transportation for these individuals. To learn more about Ride United, visit unitedway.org/ride-united.

Dispute Over Proposed Road in Aleutian Islands’ Wildlife Refuge

Fox wandering around

Photo by Justin Chavanelle on Unsplash

David Preschlack is an established media executive who works with the NBC Sports Group as content strategy leader. Passionate about fishing and spending time with his wife, David Preschlack enjoys the outdoors and formerly served on the board of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The nonprofit has an aim of protecting the National Wildlife Refuge system, which plays a vital role in preserving ecosystems and threatened animal and plant species. 

The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge was recently in the news when nine environmental groups, including The Wilderness Society, filed a lawsuit against a proposal to build a 12-mile road through the Aleutian Islands refuge. The road would potentially connect Cold Bay, which has an all-weather airport, and King Cove.

From the perspective of environmental groups, the refuge represents a critical migratory habitat for birds from around the world. Building a road through the heart of the refuge would disturb avian and other terrestrial life, and be in violation of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. From the perspective of those in favor of the road, it would provide a critical transportation link to the airport in cases of medical emergency.

NCTA Vanguard Award for Young Leadership Recognizes Innovation

Residing in Connecticut with his wife and children, television executive David Preschlack joined NBC Sports Group in January 2016 as president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. David Preschlack has appeared three times on the Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list, and was the recipient of the 2013 NCTA Vanguard Award for Young Leadership. 

The Internet & Television Association (NCTA) is the leading trade association for the United States broadband and pay television industries. Created to honor cable pioneer Jerry Greene, who served as vice president and board member of TelePrompter Corporation before he was 30, the organization’s Young Leadership Award recognizes the energy and accomplishments of young professionals in the field of cable and telecommunications. The Young Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual who has displayed innovation and outstanding leadership, as well as potential for continued achievement. Nominees must be under 40 years of age and be active members of the NCTA.

Impact of Wish-Giving from Make-A-Wish Foundation

Since 2016, accomplished executive David Preschlack has served as president of National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. David Preschlack lives in Connecticut with his wife Alexandra and is an active member of his community, serving as a member of the board for organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. 

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Relying on the support of tens of thousands of donors and volunteers, the organization grants a wish on average every 38 minutes. In 2012 alone, the foundation granted nearly 14,000 wishes, almost 75 percent of which involved travel. 

Medical professionals, volunteers, and parents agree that the benefits of wishes have lasting effects. They not only motivate children to cooperate with medical protocols, but sometimes achieve a measurable positive impact on physical health. In a 2011 survey, 96 percent of parents claimed that the experience made their families stronger, and 99 percent of parents reported that the experience raised their children's level of happiness.

NBA TV Ratings Continue Return to Form

David Preschlack has spent three years with NBC Sports Group in Stamford, Connecticut, as president of regional sports networks and platform and content strategy. David Preschlack met his wife, Alex, during his previous appointment as an executive with Disney and ESPN Networks Group. In his current position, he engages with representatives from team partners across Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early in the 2018-2019 NBA season, pundits observed an apparent downward trend in television viewership. Among other notable statistics, year-over-year declines on TNT exceeded 25 percent for some telecasts. A popular hypothesis involved megastar LeBron James’ move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers, with West Coast games enduring a smaller ratings drop. However, the league quickly saw television viewership return to normal levels.

More recently, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV telecasts have drawn audiences comparable to the 2017-2018 season, which represented a ratings spike for the league. James’ return to Cleveland as a Laker attracted an audience of 3.8 million, the most-watched regular season game on ESPN in four years. The game almost single-handedly offset the network’s ratings decline, putting into perspective how minor the initial struggles were.

In 2018, the NBA enjoyed its most successful Christmas Day lineup since 2011. An audience of 10.2 million watched the Lakers upset the Golden State Warriors, the fifth-largest audience for a Christmas game in league history. The five games on the holiday averaged 5.8 million viewers, a 14 percent increase over 2017.

Historian Frankopan Meshes Past and Present in The New Silk Road

Accomplished television executive David Preschlack has been named to the SportsBusiness Journal “Forty Under 40” list on multiple occasions and was recently included in the Cablefax 100. Following a successful career as an executive vice president for ESPN, where he met his wife, David Preschlack joined NBC Sports Regional Networks as the president of platform and content strategy. In spare time, he enjoys reading nonfiction historical books. 

In 2018, historian Peter Frankopan, a Royal Historical Society fellow and global history professor at Oxford, released The New Silk Road, a follow-up to his 2015 bestseller, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World. 

In the new book, Frankopan describes the political and economic changes that are poised to return economic dominance to the East, especially China. Many of the chapters center on Beijing’s massive multi-trillion-dollar undertaking, the Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises transport and infrastructure projects occurring in more than 60 countries along important land and marine trade routes. 

Throughout the book, Frankopan compares this ambitious project to the ancient silk road started by the Chinese thousands of years ago. He also cites significant external factors, including America’s waning influence and political and economic changes in Iran, Russia, and India.

National Wildlife Refuge Association 2018 Year in Review

David Preschlack is the president of regional sports networks and platform and content strategy at NBC Sports Group in Stamford, Connecticut. During his time at Disney and ESPN Network Groups where he served as executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing, David Preschlack met his wife, Alex. He, along with his wife, enjoy working with animals and has spent time on the board of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association has released its 2018 annual report. The report highlighted a depth of advocacy work the organization supported at the national level, highlighted by the passing of the Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act (KARO). Passed in April, KARO supports continued public access to recreational and volunteer opportunities at wildlife refuges through the reauthorization of the Volunteer and Community Partnership Act. KARO will be active through 2022.

Additional advocacy efforts in 2018 included raising hundreds of millions of dollars for Refuge System repairs following Hurricanes Maria, Harvey, and Irma, and passing a number of bills in Alaska. To read the report in its entirety, please visit the National Wildlife Refuge Association online at www.refugeassociation.org.

Exploring Australia's Great Barrier Reef

With a career spanning 20 years in the sports and entertainment industry, David Preschlack serves as the president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group Platform and Content Strategy. Outside of his work, David Preschlack enjoys traveling with his wife Alexandra and their children to other countries, including Australia.

Australia is home to some of the most iconic natural landmarks in the world, such as the incredible limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. The country is also where the Great Barrier Reef can be found.

According to National Geographic, even a lifetime of exploration is not enough time to see all of what the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. However, there are still a handful of things that any traveler can do to get the most out of the experience. Michaelmas Cay, Agincourt Reef, Whitsunday Islands, and Daydream Island are popular cruise stops to see diverse marine life, including colorful fish, turtles, dolphins, whales, stingrays, and the world's largest coral reef system. 

After a full day of snorkeling and diving, visitors can head to Airlie Beach, a coastal village with calm seas and long stretches of sand and an ideal place to relax. For a change of pace and environment, a trek on the Thorsborne Trail reveals an exotic jungle-like rainforest and waterfalls where visitors are allowed to camp for a few nights.

United Way's Programs Help Children

Based in Connecticut, where he lives with his wife and children, David Preschlack is president of NBC Sports Regional Networks, where he oversees the performance of nine NBC Sports Regional Networks nationwide. Apart from his work life, David Preschlack is a longtime supporter of the United Way and serves as a member of the organization’s worldwide board of trustees. 

A report earlier this year stated the United Way has impacted the lives of some 400,000 students in the past year, helping them achieve success in the classroom and beyond. More than three-quarters of students the organization served have advanced in their classroom development metrics, with nearly 70 percent of kindergarten students rated “proficient” in reading tests. Over the next decade, the United Way's goal is to make sure at least 95 percent of high school graduates are equipped with the tools they need to either enter college or embark on a career path. 

The United Way provides support to children from the beginning of their lives with the Babies Born Healthy program, which helps new parents learn needed skills. Support for children continues leading up to the school years with Born Learning Academy, which helps parents turn everyday moments into learning moments for their children. 

Additionally, the United Way’s public policy initiatives support efforts to help families with low incomes receive the assistance they need to ensure the healthy development of children.

Comparing Recent Audiences for NBA, MLB, and NHL Playoff Series

David Preschlack serves as president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and platform and content strategy at the NBC Sports Group. In this role, David Preschlack manages relationships with team partners from the NBA, MLB, and NHL.

This past summer, the National Basketball Association (NBA) enjoyed an average of just over 9 million viewers for Conference Finals meetings between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the east and the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets in the west. Both series went seven games, attracting the league’s largest Conference Finals audiences in six years, not to mention a 40 percent increase over the same period in 2017. Game 7 between the Warriors and Rockets drew nearly 15 million viewers, the second-largest audience for an NBA cable television broadcast.

Major League Baseball (MLB) enjoyed similar success during last season’s League Championship Series. The American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees was watched by 6.5 million people, nearly double the viewership of the previous year’s series. The National League Championship Series brought in 6.2 million, up 88 percent from 2016.

The National Hockey League (NHL) continues to trail other major sports leagues in viewership, though the 2017 Conference Finals, which netted more than 2 million viewers on average, indicated continued viewership growth for the sport.

SportsBusiness Journal’s Top Forty Under 40 Selection Criteria

Living in Southport, Connecticut, with his wife and children, David Preschlack is the president of NBC Sports Regional Networks. Accomplished in the world of sports, David Preschlack has been named in SportsBusiness Journal’s Forty Under 40 three times.

SportsBusiness Journal’s Forty Under 40 was established to celebrate young achievers in the business of sports. Honoring young talent annually from every area of the sector, the award’s honorees include agents, marketers, team owners, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and athletic directors. 

To be eligible for the award, a person must first be nominated by someone in the sports business. Only people who are under 40 years of age and are not already in the award’s Hall of Fame can be nominated. Nominees are not informed of their nomination. 

Every year, SportBusiness Journal receives hundreds of nominations. It follows strict criteria in the selection of the final award recipients. For example, recipients must be leaders in their industry segments carrying significant responsibilities, have verifiable career successes in the past 24 months, have a track record of creativity and innovation, and their work must have resulted in measurable business success such as sales growth. Only those selected as winners are contacted.

Making Travel an Educational Experience for Children

Television executive David Preschlack joined NBC Sports Regional Networks as the division president in 2016 after a long career with Disney and ESPN. Before joining the NBC, David Preschlack, his wife Alexandra, and their children embarked on a three-month tour of Southeast Asia, Australia, and French Polynesia.

Traveling provides children with endless learning opportunities, particularly in social skills. Parents can help their children get the most out of their travel experiences by following some of these recommendations:

- Planning. Children can become involved in planning the itinerary in age-appropriate ways. For example, young children can look at travel books to help decide on landmarks they would like to visit. Older children can read books about travel destinations to learn more about the cultures before the visit.

- Documenting. Parents can teach their children to use simple cameras and recording devices to document the trip. After the trip, older children can put together digital or physical scrapbooks of photos and information about their experiences on the trip.

- Budgeting. For teenagers, a family trip can be a great incentive for earning money. Parents can help their teens set financial goals, start a small business, or find a job to make money for the trip. This is also a great opportunity for older children to learn about currency rates and conversion.

NBC Coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics

As president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Group platform and content strategy, David Preschlack is responsible for nine NBC Sports Regional Networks in major markets across the country, a role that involves engaging with representatives from NBA, MLB, and NHL team partners. David Preschlack previously worked as executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing with Disney and ESPN Network Groups, where he met his wife. 

In early 2018, NBC and NBC Sports Network broadcast nearly 180 hours of live competition from the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, which generated $900 million in advertising. In addition to televising live events, NBC utilized several digital platforms to cover events, including the NBC Sports app and a live stream at NBCOlympics.com. Coverage of the competition in South Korea exceeded broadcast expectations, with an average of 23.6 million viewers tuning in to prime time coverage windows. About two million of these viewers can be attributed to digital platforms.

David Preschlack | RSN Summit 2016