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This story is part of our CSC 360 package for October 2023, to view more stories, click here.
Nominations for the Class of 2023 open through Oct. 15
Three up, three down with Portia Pettis — Digital Content Manager for the University of Colorado Buffaloes
by Jerod Fox – Kansas City Athletics, Athletic Communications Director // CSC Young Professionals Committee member
Portia Pettis has already made a name for herself in the creative content space, and now she finds herself creating for the most viral team in college football. Pettis has been a Digital Content Manager for the University of Colorado’s football program since April of 2022 and has been one of the catalysts in promoting the team’s early season success this year.
It was a journey for Pettis to find herself in this position, originally starting as a freelance graphic designer while she worked full-time as an insurance agent. Her first full-time opportunity in creative content came at Michigan State where she was the women’s basketball director of digital content, responsible for social media content, recruiting content and social media management. From there, she decided to return to Colorado, her home state.
Pettis quickly found success after her move to Boulder. She spoke at the Council of Alumni Marketing and Membership Professionals’ annual conference, presenting about the incorporation of alumni into social strategy and how that can help boost engagement. She also assisted in the external operations department’s strategic rollout of the hiring of Coach Deion Sanders, which earned a Bronze NACMA Award for Social Media Campaigns. Most recently, she was selected to the
2023 Creators of Color Cohort, attending the Empowerment Summit held in Minneapolis.
Originally from Colorado Springs, Pettis earned her bachelors of fine art with a focus in graphic design from Colorado State University Pueblo. She has also earned a masters in business administration with a focus in marketing from the University of Arizona Global Campus.
Congratulations on your selection to the 2023 Creators of Color Cohort! After attending the recent Summit, what were your main takeaways?
PP: My main takeaways from Creators of Color were that I belong in the sports entertainment space and that the possibilities in this industry are endless. I was able to hear from different execs and creatives within the pro sports world that held positions I had never heard of. It really helped me feel like I’m doing what I am supposed to be doing career wise, even if I’m not sure what my next step will be.
Your football program has received a lot of attention to begin this season. How have you and your team strategized to capitalize on the eyes that have been on you?
PP: Because of the access Coach Prime gives his media teams, we have been able to give fans an inside look at various parts of the program, not just coaches and players. Our goal has been to find creative ways to give fans an immersive experience into what we’re building here. My team made sure we took this opportunity to teach new fans about the history of Colorado Football and traditions of CU as well.
When it comes to being a creative, what is your 'why'? What helps you stay motivated and purposeful within the industry?
PP: My why is really just my love of creating. After college I felt burnt out from art and I stopped creating for a long time. Being able to come up with ideas and see those ideas come to life is so exciting. Especially with the team I have at CU, they are the most talented people I’ve ever met. If we can think it, we can execute it and that is really so much fun!
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