Jumping Into Sports PR
Sports and entertainment are both rapidly growing industries that are only increasing in popularity each year. As new aspects of sports start gaining more traction, like in the case of sports betting or esports, the industry is on track to become even bigger than ever. With a major/minor in advertising and public relations, there are many different career opportunities within the sports industry to explore. In this blog, I will go over a few of these job titles you can choose from and explain the role.
Public & Media Relations Associate
Sports teams are like any other brands: they require a positive public image and a strong relationship with media outlets. As a Media Relations Associate, you would be talking with different media outlets and journalists in order to gain media coverage for your team. Press releases and interviews will typically focus on what the team is doing both within and outside of sports. A strong public relations team is necessary for any sports team. Players need to maintain a good public image and as a Public & Media Relations Associate, it'll be your job to make sure both brands and players are seen in a positive light.
Digital Marketing Coordinator
A Digital Marketing Coordinator for a sports team promotes the brand and spreads awareness for upcoming games and events, along with giving updates. People in this role are responsible for running social media accounts, content creation, and analyzing consumer insight. Digital marketing is just one small part of the bigger picture when it comes to sports marketing. When it comes to direct fan interaction, sports and social media go hand in hand. Therefore, it's important to keep up with trends and understand the fans.
Graphic Designer
Graphic design and creativity are a must have for a team. Having unique content on your social media will grab the attention of people who may not be interested in sports. Quality posts with original content will increase engagement and grow account followers. As a sports graphic designer, you would also be creating logos, merchandise, and other images for the team. If you are a creative individual who enjoys design, this may be an interesting route for you that will put your creativity to the test.
Community Relations Associate
It's important for a sports team to give back to the community that supports them during the season. As a Community Relations Associate, you would coordinate fundraising events, player appearances, and get the team involved in community work. Strong communication is necessary as a Community Relations Associate because there will be a lot of networking involved with community organizations, news media, and the public.
Conclusion
The thing that makes working in sports so special is the people you get to interact with every day. From players, to fans, the media, your local community, and more, there isn’t any other profession like it. If you are a big sports fan or interested in a different route other than an agency, then the sports industry may be for you. The skills you learn within the advertising and public relations industry can take you many places, so try out what sounds interesting and find the best fit for you!
About Desmond
Desmond Ray is a junior this year majoring in Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. Desmond is currently working at Goldman and Associates Law Firm as a marketing intern. This is Desmond's first year with GrandPR, where he serves as an Account Associate.