JESSICA WIGER
CRIMSON TIDE SPORTS MARKETING, LEARFIELD SPORTS
| Marketing & Advertising |
| Corporate Sponsorship |
| Brand Activation |
I am currently employed full time with Crimson Tide Sports Marketing (CTSM), in part of Crimson Tide Sports Network. CTSM is the official multimedia rights holder for The University of Alabama Athletics and is owned by Learfield Sports, a sport management corporation, in Dallas, TX. Learfield Sports is partnered with 50+ universities across the nation and empowers these properties by connecting big brands through customized marketing campaigns and experiences. CTSM offers corporate clients a multitude of marketing and media sponsorship opportunities including radio, television, print, internet, special projects, game promotions, sponsorships, signage and coaches endorsements.
As the Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator, I deal with operations involving our corporate sponsors and the fulfillment of their contracts. My daily duties include drafting, editing and creating client proposals that clearly articulate advertising goals and communication objectives, as well as various tasks to maintain active sponsor satisfaction. Other duties for our corporate sponsors include collaborating with the Director of Operations to coordinate logistics of banquets and luncheons comprised of special guests like Coach Saban, and assisting with social media campaigns to create opportunities for profitable brand growth and awarenes. Furthermore, I manage the Alabama Online Auction on rolltide.com where I serve as the liaison between CTSM and CBS Sports by processing client invoices and completing all sales initiatives. Through the Alabama Online Auction I manage all inventory of game-worn jerseys, official team issued athletic wear and commemorative facility items to be sold. I am also responsible for connecting with current and past players and coaches for autograph signing opportunities on behalf of the Alabama Online Auction and rolltide.com.
My game day duties are to assist with entertaining clients at the Coca-Cola Crimson Village and the Mercedes Fan Fest, which are CTSM's private corporate hospitality tents. Also, I coordinate the Golden Flake Kick for Tuition that takes place on the field, as well as several "Fan Experiences" won by high bidding online auction winners.
Another significant responsibility I have is to assist with the Hey Coach Radio Show every Thursday evening during football season. Hey Coach is a 90 minute call-in show on the Crimson Tide Sports Network where Bama fans have an opportunity to talk with the Alabama head coaches, specifically Head Football Coach Nick Saban. The show is broadcast over 65+ radio stations across the southeast region. Besides hosting a Fan Experience on site, I coordinate the Q & A’s between Coach and the audience by selecting fans and screening their questions.
CTSM had the privilege during the 2012 football season of partnering with an organization called, Special Spectators, whose mission is to create magical days for seriously ill children and their families at sporting events across the United States. The children I hosted were recognized on the field, and it was an incredible experience watching them take in Alabama football from the sidelines in front of 101,000+ fans at Bryant Denny Stadium. CTSM will continue to uphold the partnership with Special Spectators.
ALABAMA ATHLETICS, DEPT. OF EVENT MANAGEMENT
I was employed part time from 2011-2012 with The University of Alabama Athletic Department of Event Management where I coordinated the tour program and assisted with events. On a daily basis I gave tours of the athletic facilities, and on game days I escorted donors and other VIP personnel onto the field. Through this department, I also had the opportunity to assist several times with Nick's Kids Foundation, which is Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban and his wife Terry's charity.
CRIMSON CARAVAN
In the spring/summer of 2012 I had the privilege of traveling to several cities as an Operations Assistant with Crimson Caravan, which is Coach Saban's annual off season speaking tour. The 2012 Crimson Caravan traveled to nine major cities hosting banquets for special guests. Along assisting with setup, I helped manage access to the VIP Coach's Reception and gained valuable knowledge as I worked aside The Crimson Tide Foundation in the Athletic Development Department.
2012
ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL, 2013 NCAA FINAL FOUR
I was selected by the Atlanta Sports Council to represent the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four as a Public Relations Ambassador. The PR Office served as the main hub where requests from the media came in. As a volunteer, I was dispatched from the PR office to meet the media at event locations and be there to answer questions. I also assisted the PR Office with various duties and initiatives involved in the communications aspect of the Final Four. The tournament took place April 6-8 at the GA Dome in Atlanta. It was a great honor to have been selected to represent the premier event/tournament of collegiate basketball.
SEC MEDIA RELATIONS
I was selected by the Southeastern Conference Media Relations Department to become a Media Relations Assistant for the 2013 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. The tournament took place March 6-10 at the Gwinnett Center Arena in Atlanta, and I reported directly to the Assistant Director of Media Relations for the SEC. My duties consisted of assisting the SEC Media Relations Staff and Media Coordination Committee with press operations before, during and after the games. It was a great honor to have been selected to represent one of the most valuable conferences in college sports.
Chevonne, Mansfield
LAKESHORE FOUNDATION, OFFICIAL U.S. PARALYMPIC TRAINING SITE
During the summer of 2013, I served in the volunteer program at the Lakeshore Foundation. The Lakeshore Foundation is an Official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site located in Birmingham, Alabama. After being selected through an interview process, I had the privilege of working with adults and children with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions through physical activity, sport and recreation activities.
UA ATHLETIC MARKETING
Over the summer of 2012, I had the unique opportunity to participate in a promotional photo shoot with UA Athletic Marketing. I worked aside the Director of Athletic Marketing and Crimson Tide Productions. Together we collaborated to produce multiple "fan photos" utilized in promoting the free new iphone app and the Crimson Tide Rewards Program. The ad below was circulated throughout the entire student body via multiple Alabama Athletics email blasts, The Crimson White newspaper, rolltide.com and through the iphone app itself. I also filmed a few commercials for the athletic campaign, "Built by Bama", to be seen at various Alabama sporting events and in email blasts.
CRIMSON TIDE HOSPITALITY
From 2010-2011, I worked part time for Crimson Tide Hospitality as a Skybox Team Member and Coleman Coliseum Club Room Team Member. The Crimson Tide Hospitality Office is managed by The Colonnade Group, a sports production and event management company based in Birmingham, Alabama. With 159 skyboxes, Bryant-Denny has the largest number of skyboxes in the SEC, and The University of Alabama Coleman Coliseum Club Room is among the finest accommodations offered by intercollegiate programs nationwide. As a Team Member, I attended to the skybox and club room holders during football, basketball and gymnastics games. I also assisted with hospitality set-up for special events and coordinated behind the scenes tasks to ensure operations ran smoothly.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING CONFERENCES & EVENTS
2013 NFL Pro Combine Career Conference, Indianapolis
February 22 & 23, I attended the 2013 NFL Pro Combine Career Conference hosted by Sports Management Worldwide in Indianapolis. The conference included sessions with speakers, Q&A's and networking opportunities. These sessions consisted of NFL Legends and current players, NFL Head Coaches and GMs, ESPN Analysts, NFLPA Agents, Collegiate VPs, NBA Executives and Major League Scouts. We even had the opportunity during lunch to sit with a professional of our choice at a variety of round tables for more intimate discussions. I sat with Lions Defensive Back Ross Weaver, who elaborated on the topic of player-agent relations. It was an incredible opportunity being able to pick his brain on a more personal level. More speakers throughout the conference were NFL Legend-John Wooten, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM-Mark Dominik, ESPN Analyst-Adam Schefter, Chicago Bears Head Coach-Marc Trestman, Steelers Fullback-Will Johnson, and NFLPA Agents-Kristen Kuliga, Jim Solano, Kelli Masters and Tony Agnone. It was quite the experience being immersed in the heart of Indy during the time of an event with such magnitude and intense media coverage.
2012 Teamwork Online Networking Event with the Washington Nationals, Washington DC
In August of 2012 I attended the Teamwork Online Networking Event with the Washington Nationals in Washington DC. The event consisted of tickets to the Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals game at Nationals Park and a networking session inside one of the club level suites. Inside, I was able to connect with professionals such as Nationals VP of Marketing & Broadcasting-John Guagliano, Nationals VP of Ticket Sales & Operations-Chris Gargani and Washington Redskins Senior VP of Communications-Tony Wyllie.
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Annual Leadership Meeting 2011, Las Vegas
In the late fall of 2010, I was selected for a scholarship to attend the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Annual Leadership Meeting 2011 in Las Vegas. PCMA is recognized in the meetings industry as the leader in providing high quality education, and represents more than 6,000 meeting industry leaders including corporate and independent meeting professionals, as well as industry suppliers, faculty and students. At the conference I was exposed to the latest industry trends, winning strategies, innovative resources and networking opportunities.
CAPSTONE AGENCY
During my undergrad, I was involved for several semesters in a campus organization called Capstone Agency. Capstone Agency is The University of Alabama's student-run public relations firm. As a member, I worked with student organizations, local businesses and private parties to better the client's organization both internally and externally. Capstone Agency's services include public relations, communications, advertising, event planning, marketing, crisis management, branding, promotions, fundraising, company management, campaigns, special events and media relations. Through Capstone Agency, I was selected by PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) to represent The University of Alabama in the 2012 Bateman Case Study Competition. The Bateman Case Study Competition is PRSSA's premier national case study competition for public relations students, and the 2012 campaign was on childhood obesity. With strategic planning, our team implemented an effective, positive and empowering campaign called “It’s your move!” that proved to be replicable within our community. We placed top 15 out of 100+ schools and received an honorable mention on the PRSSA website.
UNDER ARMOUR
Over the summer of 2009 while home from college, I worked part time at Under Armour in Leesburg, Virginia, as a retail associate. While there, I gained valuable knowledge in the retail and customer service industry, maintained the floor's appearance and helped perform inventory functions. I value this experience because I was able to serve and be a part of a sporting performance brand I highly respect.