Eric Thompson first came to work as a videographer and editor at Running Pony in November of 1999—the first employee hired by the owners of the fledgling company. “One of the coolest things about being at Running Pony in the early days was all the different companies we worked for, and all the people I got to meet, “ he says. “I met Justin Timberlake, Peyton Manning, Priscilla Presley and covered the Grizzlies when they came to town, which was an amazing moment in the history of Memphis.”
Eric Thompson, Director of Project Management
A huge sports fan, Eric grew up in Indianapolis—home of the Indy 500, the NFL’s Colts and the NBA’s Pacers—and dreamed of being a sports broadcaster. He majored in Telecommunications at the University of Evansville, which led to an internship and a job at the local TV station and, after graduating in 1993, jobs at TV stations in Little Rock and Memphis, and finally to Running Pony. Eric eventually worked his way up to become Director of Client Services.
He left Running Pony after 12 years for a new challenge—helping to create a video team at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “It was a unique opportunity and privilege,” he explains, “to be part of a video team that was interacting with the patients and families and seeing them through their journey of fighting childhood cancer.” As Manager of Studio Production, Eric also got to work with many celebrities and dignitaries, such as first ladies Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.
After more than a decade at ALSAC, Eric has now returned to Running Pony, this time as Director of Project Management. “It’s exciting to come back,” he says. “It’s great to reconnect with old co-workers and also get to know new staff and a whole new team. I’m looking forward to contributing some of the new skills I’ve honed over the past 11 years.”
Eric and his wife, Shellie, live in Germantown with their three children—Wyatt, a freshman at the University of Tennessee; Campbell, a junior at Houston High School; and Tucker, a freshman at Houston. All three kids played soccer growing up, and Eric sometimes coached their teams. Today, he referees at local soccer tournaments. Shellie co-owns a veterinary clinic and as a result, he says with a laugh, “we have our own home petting zoo—dogs, cats, and even chickens!” Whether he’s wrangling animals, soccer kids, or video projects, Eric always brings his “A-game”.
