Interview with Jared Bakewell

If you’ve ever crossed the finish line at a Pink Gorilla Events race and admired your medal, rocked your race shirt, or relived race day through one of our recap videos, you’ve experienced Jared Bakewell’s work. As the creative force behind our event branding, Jared designs many of the medals and apparel our participants proudly wear and collect, while also serving as Pink Gorilla Events’ one-man video production team. From concept to creation, Jared helps bring each event to life long before race day and keeps the memories alive long after the finish line.

What’s keeping me excited at Pink Gorilla Events?

Working in marketing to produce great active events with fun brands is pretty much a dream job. But my favorite moments are the human experiences at our finish lines. The emotions on people’s faces as they raise their hands in triumph or embrace a family member or friend in celebration are really rewarding to see. It’s thousands of people winning their own personal championships. Getting to make that happen alongside a talented, fun team is awesome.

Quote of the week:

Fortune Favors the Bold

 

What am I up to health-wise?

Trying to keep with our two daughters keeps me fairly active. I coach them in basketball and assist on their volleyball and soccer teams. Our evenings are filled with driveway hoop sessions and bike rides. I try to run the mile loop around our neighborhood and do some free weight workouts a few times a week.

What is something funny that has happened to you or you have seen at an event?

On race day, I get to hype up runners as I shoot our recap videos. I get a charge out of asking people to say and do ridiculous stuff. One time I asked a friend who shall remain nameless to say he was going to “give this race a spanking” as he took off on a leg of Market to Market Relay Nebraska. He later contacted me and asked me not to use the clip because he was running on his employer’s team, but it was still pretty hilarious for someone with my weird sense of humor.

What am I reading?

Transforming Basketball by Alex Sarama

What am I listening to?

My all-time favorite band is Pearl Jam, but synthwave bands like The Midnight and indie rock like Death Cab for Cutie or The War on Drugs are on my playlists most often.

What i’m into lately?

I’m someone with too many hobbies. Right now, I enjoy designing and playing board games and writing music. My favorite summer activities are evenings at the pool with my family and weekends at our family farm with friends.

What would you like to share with people (your Strava, Podcast that you like, music playlist)

I used to be cooler when I was younger and played in some indie rock bands. Here’s a link to a song I wrote about meeting and growing old with my wife, Leigh: https://open.spotify.com/track/1cjDycffK235FoJqOrhb68?si=efe4cd6bbed44987