Job Swap: NBA Player Matt Bonner 'Runs' New Hampshire Ad Agency

It sounds like an elevator pitch for a reality TV show. Matt Bonner, the 6-10, 240-pound center/forward for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, swapped jobs with Travis York, president of GY&K Marketing in Manchester, N.H., on Tuesday. The "Exec Exchange" was dreamed up by Luke Bonner, Matt's younger brother and a former pro basketball player overseas, who started as a 27-year old intern at the shop before working his way up the ranks. At around 8:30 a.m., Mr. Bonner, a 33-year old Concord, N.H., native, showed up, ejected Mr. York from his office then "ran" the agency for a day. The only ground rules: Mr. Bonner couldn't fire anybody. Or hand out any raises. "I was definitely surprised how fun, and fulfilling, this line of work could be," said Mr. Bonner, a 9-year NBA veteran. Mr. York, meanwhile, attempted to follow Bonner's strict, off-season training regimen. With predictable results. First, he went to a local gym to complete the "Spurs 100," or shooting 100 shots from all over the floor. He only made 20 and said his "arms felt like they were going to fall off." Then he played one-on-one against Luke Bonner, a 7-footer, and could barely get a shot off. Also on the agenda: a meeting with Mr. Bonner's agent; lunch at his favorite local sub shop; and a chat with Brett Barry, the ex-NBA guard turned ESPN analyst. Mr. York has done the job swap thing with other executives before to get a fresh perspective on his agency. Before turning the reins over to Mr. Bonner, he invited the University of Florida graduate to sit in on a new business pitch where the client is a big Gators fan. "I asked him to not only impress them -- but to try to seal the deal. We'll see how that goes," said Mr. York.

Job Swap: NBA Player Matt Bonner 'Runs' New Hampshire Ad Agency

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