JARED COOPER

Summary

 

Dynamic, passionate sports journalist and social media specialist with professional experience in broadcast, print, photographic and social media. Successfully produced marketing and public relations for college and professional sports teams. Former Social Media Manager for NFL Now, reaching millions of users in more than 60 countries. Served as Arizona State University (ASU) mascot “Sparky the Sun Devil” as an NCAA Division I athlete, gaining valuable “insider” experience that supports journalistic insight. Demonstrated award-winning leadership qualities in both college and professional environments.

Experience

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Game Used Merchandise Associate, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles, California

March 2017 - present

 

• Coordinate game used equipment and merchandise for sale online and in-store, the first National Hockey League (NHL) team to operate internally.

• Responsible for products that can exceed $5000 in retail value.

• Photograph all merchandise to be showcased online and on social media platforms.

• During home games, oversee the sale of game used merchandise in-store.

• Assist with warehouse inventory and the packing/shipping of products.

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Social Media Manager - NFL Wire Sites, USA TODAY Sports Media Group, Los Angeles, California

October 2016 - April 2017

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Managed national, day-to-day operations of 34 different social media accounts, grew from 19, under the NFL Wire network. Developed social media strategy for use across web, mobile, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and executed processes and protocols. Advised editors on strategies, tools and content that increased engagement, new followers and reach. Applied marketing strategies including market research and analysis. Successfully improved user engagement by introducing and modifying multimedia content.

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Social Media Specialist/Consultant, Tech Projects LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii

May 2016 - present

 

Provide professional guidance on social media presence to a traditional technology company with no prior social media experience. Assist with branding and outreach in support of a target market shift toward millenials. Evaluate and enhance website design and messaging; create Facebook and LinkedIn presence; recommend recruiting and communication tools; and prepare strategic plans for expansion in relevant social media, including Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and similar platforms.

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Social Media Content Producer, National Football League (NFL), Culver City, California

August 2015 - April 2016

 

Social Media Manager for NFL Now

• Within 3 months of hire, selected to be the sole Social Media Manager who researched, developed, edited, created graphics for, and posted relevant content to NFL Now, including dozens of posts per day.

• Served as Social Producer for “NFL Now Gameday Blitz,” live tweeting and interacting with fans during games about the most trending topics on social media.

  • To increase the show’s international fan base, conceived and implemented a new initiative, #RepYourCountry, encouraging fans around the globe to interact with the show from and about their countries. By end of the 2015 season, fans from more than 60 countries were interacting via social media.

• Selected to attend the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to live tweet each day. Kept fans excited and informed about show events, player updates and show previews, and “NFL Now Live from the 2016 NFL Combine.” Took photographs and videos of players and talents, including autographed selfies of players to share with the NFL audience.

• Increased Twitter followers by 8% in five months.

• Monitored the latest trends in social and digital universe, and reviewed social media and segment viewership analytics in order to recommend and develop content, and produce social media segments for NFL Now’s, “What’s Trending?”

• Provided individualized guidance to NFL Now talent to help refine, strengthen and expand their social strategies, techniques and overall social media presence.

 

NFL Social Team Member

• Contributed to the NFL Social Team, interacting with millions of followers on social media. By applying knowledge of the NFL and appreciation for the type of content an fan wants to interact with on social media, selected, prioritized, edited, curated, produced and posted content of all types (text, video, photo, GIF, etc.) for use on NFL Social Media platforms (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr). Worked in a fast-paced sports media newsroom.

• As part of the International Series, the BUFvsJAX game in London was the first-ever NFL game streamed solely online. Only individual to create content and post on NFL Tumblr page during 20 days leading up to game to promote the event and create buzz.

   

Marketing Assistant, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix, Arizona

May 2014 - July 2015

 

Promoted National Basketball Association (NBA) professional team under supervision of the Suns Marketing Coordinator. Create and stage events, including driving the “Suns Kia” to corporate, charity and community events to engage individuals in activities such as shooting hoops. Generate enthusiasm, support and ticket sales.

 

Sports News Reporter, KAET Cronkite News - Phoenix Sports Bureau, Phoenix, Arizona

January 2015 - April 2015

 

Developed -- through full lifecycle of concept, planning, writing, editing, and shooting -- print and broadcast sports stories as a competitively-selected student reporter on a professional journalism team.

• Featured print story was professionally published on the front page of the sports section in Gannett's Courier-Post, January 31, 2015. See "Eastern's Ryan gives South Jersey a local Super Bowl connection."

• Featured video story was broadcast throughout the state of Arizona on Cronkite News. See "Sports leaders say commission, state fund could help Arizona with mega events."

• Provided Super Bowl XLIX coverage including interviewing players and coaches for broadcast during the Patriots arrival at Phoenix International Airport, Commissioner Roger Goodell's and other press conferences, and one of the world's largest gathering of media, Media Day.

 

Spring Training Video Reporter - San Diego Padres, San Diego Union-Tribune, U-T TV Sports, Peoria, Arizona

February 2015 - April 2015

 

On-air video reporter responsible for developing, filming and editing daily stories about San Diego Padres Spring Training. Conducted daily interviews with Padres' manager Bud Black before practice, and conducted post-game video recaps with Black and players. Filmed and provided commentary for home and away games, and acquired B-roll from practices and pre-game activities. Aired for video features and 12 post-game recaps, and also live-tweeted games attended.

 

Social Media Supervisor, Social Media Command Center, Super Bowl XLIX, Phoenix, Arizona

January 2015 - February 2015

 

• Supervised 160 student volunteers and 30 student captains in the Social Media Command Center, which provided real-time Twitter and Facebook updates about transportation, weather, safety and security, game-day events, and the NFL Experience. Approved tweets and posts created by student volunteers for appropriateness and correctness.

• By actively engaging with fans and answering fan questions and concerns via social media, encouraged interest and interaction, and contained problems early in process.

• Supervised interactions among fans through social media outlets using the application Spredfast.

• Via professional connections of the Cronkite School, interacted directly with the NFL employees to verify facts to be published on social media, clarify protocols when addressing fan issues and concerns, and gain increased understanding of how the NFL operates.

 

Multimedia Journalist/Intern, ASU Devils Den, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

June 2014 - December 2014

 

Perform multiple roles as a print, broadcast and social media journalist.

• Print: Publish a weekly online column, “Coop’s Corner,” that has routinely received the most page views of any ASU Devils Den sports article, including “Motivation: The Name of the Game for Bercovici,” that received an unprecedented 1,600 views. By developing rapport with players and coaches, have successfully interviewed individuals who have never before granted interviews. Each article involves developing and pitching a concept involving a player to be highlighted as well as a theme; gaining approval from senior editors; interviewing subject, coaches and other players; and writing and editing an 800-1,500-word feature article.

• Broadcast: Attend weekly press conferences with professional media to interview head coach and attend at least three practices per week to interview coaches and players, conducting more than 75 in-depth interviews throughout the season. Participate as one of a three-man team broadcasting a casual-chat format podcast to discuss and analyze previous and upcoming games.

• Social media: Live-Tweet game updates and analyses from press box and field. Compose, shoot, edit and post action photographs and video, and write accompanying summaries of post-game conferences with players and coaches.

 

"Sparky the Sun Devil" University Mascot, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

August 2011 - November 2013

 

One of four college applicants selected from dozens as an NCAA Division I athlete to represent ASU sports as university mascot “Sparky the Sun Devil.”

• Entertained and engaged audiences of more than 70,000 while demonstrating athletic ability by doing one push-up for every ASU point scored (most performed at one game: 110).

• Performed at dozens of football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, baseball and softball events. Exercised outstanding interpersonal skills while meeting, greeting, and taking photographs with audience members of all ages and demographics. Demonstrated excellent public communication skills during dynamic, playful, and entertaining performances.

• Demonstrated professionalism while coordinating assignments and events with the directors of ASU Athletics Marketing and the Director of Gameday. 

• Taught self-discipline and other positive attributes to children as part of a visiting educational program called “Sparky’s Tour.”

 

Associate Producer/Production Assistant, Wipe Out Productions, LLC, Berlin, New Jersey

July 2009 - January 2011

 

Reported to Scott Graham, former radio broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies and owner of Wipe Out Productions, who requested input on interviews. Logged video footage, researched and identified highlight footage to be included in broadcast, and edited film.