Jessica Welke

Strategic and creative sports-marketing and event executive with a track record of implementing unique sponsorship programs, driving revenue growth, managing unique and engaging events, and leading high-performance teams. Detail-oriented with a positive attitude and strong determination to foster an inclusive and collaborative culture. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work across highly-matrixed organizations and deliver results in fast-paced settings. 

ESPN WEST PALM/GOOD KARMA BRANDS, West Palm Beach, FL                             

Feb 2021 – Present

Marketing Consultant/Marketing & Events Manager

Hired to develop long-term relationships with businesses by creating and executing successful, customized marketing solutions utilizing ESPN platforms and event assets. 

• Responsible for operations, team experiences and sponsorship development for 3 Florida-based ESPN Events College Football Bowl Games 
  • Managed technical and operational aspects of the Boca Raton Bowl, the Gasparilla Bowl and affiliated events, including coordination of staff, teams, media, vendors, service providers and volunteers 
  • Negotiated contracts and managed corporate sponsorships for multiple College Football Bowl Games nationwide including but not limited to in-game promotions, activations, hospitality and signage for Baptist Health South Florida, Pratt & Whitney, FPL, Ed Morse Automotive Group and more
  • Directed relationships with broadcast and media services, government entities, stadiums, venues, and vendors
  • Created comprehensive event reports to analyze partnership benefits and determine additional opportunities 
• Identified, cultivated and maintained business partnerships on a local, regional and national level utilizing ESPN’s portfolio of digital, radio (English and Spanish language) and event assets 
  • Created and managed strategic marketing and event campaigns for local and regional businesses, leading teams from concept to presentation to implementation with consistent success in accomplishing partner goals
  • Continually achieved revenue and profit targets; achieved over $1M+ in sponsorships and advertising sales 
• Oversight of ESPN West Palm community outreach and internship program
  • Spearheaded participation and maintained relationships with local charities and community partners such as Habitat for Humanity, United Way, multiple Chambers of Commerce, and area high schools and universities
  • Facilitated employee involvement within the community at speaking engagements, golf tournaments, luncheons, event activations, street teams and trade show/conferences
  • Created and implemented company-wide internship program while spearheading teammate mentoring opportunities 

PALM BEACH COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION, West Palm Beach, FL                                                     Nov 2019 – March 2020

Media Consultant/Event Specialist

Hired to develop and manage media/press conferences for 10+ Palm Beach County community events sponsored by the Super Bowl Host Committee. Worked with NFL players and alumni, as well as sponsors, venues, and personnel to create events that generated excitement around the Super Bowl. Upon completion of Super Bowl, continued on as point person for the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame event.

• Developed event timelines, created the script, secured speakers and organized operations for two Super Bowl related press conferences, including management of media, community partners, venue personnel, and contractors.
• Created press materials, coordinated media coverage, managed volunteer and NFL personnel, and organized community involvement for 10+ Super Bowl related events including youth football camps, NFL Alumni hospital visits, pep rallies, fashion shows and watch parties throughout Palm Beach County.
• Increased ticket sales by 33% for Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame event (cancelled due to Covid), in addition to creating event program and script, securing new sponsorships and community partners, and managing event attendees, including former and present Hall of Fame inductees, 20+ volunteers, and media. 
• Worked with a number of organizations including the Super Bowl Host Committee, Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Committee, and Palm Beach County Convention Center to coordinate logistics, plan events, develop sponsorship programs and manage community outreach efforts.

ESPN, New York, NY                                                                                                                   May 2005–Feb 2008

Marketing Director

Recruited to manage marketing efforts to launch ESPN Books. Created and implemented national marketing programs to leverage athletes and authors, including events, book tours, media communication and vendor outreach. Partnered across ESPN and ABC to promote content; led outsourced corporate sales staff. Orchestrated ESPN Books’ marketing endeavors at high-profile events, such as Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Games. Drafted all jacket and online content; compiled promotional testimonials. Worked with numerous sports associations and venues to coordinate campaigns, promotions and contests. 

• Launched NY Times Bestsellers and other titles from notable authors, such as Bill Simmons, Ralph Wiley, William Nack, Peter Keating, Kenny Mayne, William Rhoden, Kevin Carrol and Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg. Developed regional and national marketing plans for 25 books over 3 years; effectively leveraged budgets of $10K to $100K per title to establish author appearances, reserve product placement, design promotional materials and develop and execute national print, radio and TV campaigns. Managed trade show activities; Arranged book tour travel; frequently accompanied authors to events. 
• Coordinated appearances for NYT journalist/author, William Rhoden, and for 5 featured quarterbacks—Marlin Briscoe, James Harris, Vince Evans, Warren Moon and Doug Williams for 3rd and a Mile: From Fritz Pollard to Michael Vick—an Oral History of the Trials, Tears and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback. Assisted with the launch of The Field Generals, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching and preserving the history of the African-American quarterback. 
• Enabled 15% higher than typical pre-sales; surpassed sales goals of 100K copies of Man in the Middle through effective memoir promotion of first openly gay NBA player. Created early vendor interest with incremental information releases; booked Oprah Winfrey show, other talk shows, ESPN News programming, author and media tours, in addition to print.
• Partnered with The Blind Side’s author, Michael Lewis, and Barnes & Noble to develop promotions, exclusive Q&A and content to draw audience to launch of ESPN Book Club with notable exposure, signage and email lead generation.

HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY                                                                                        Apr 2002–Apr 2005

Marketing & Sales Associate

Collaborated across company to generate sales, expand vendor relationships and leverage marketing opportunities. Supported national sales staff with creation of catalogs, in-store displays and marketing materials for trade shows and vendors. 

• Managed and maintained international, national and regional tradeshow representation; ensured promotional materials and books were supplied in advance for 10+ shows each year; collaborated extensively with sales staff to meet needs. 
• Optimized product placement, publicity and promotional opportunities through participation in sales and tradeshow planning and in-depth knowledge of titles to contribute to effective launches.
• Developed promotions and marketing materials for tradeshows and bookstores nationwide to embrace popularity of bestselling titles, including book club guides, party planning ideas and materials, exclusive author background stories, and information to extend success. 

National Basketball Association, New York, NY                                                                             Jul 2000–Apr 2002

Interactive Marketing Coordinator

Managed fan activity, including contest fulfillment, player interaction and interviews and moderation of online/website forums. Assisted in organization and execution of league interactive events.

• Coordinated elements of NBA Draft, NBA All-Star Weekend and NBA Playoffs; prepared athletes for participation and media; managed player involvement and coordinated travel and logistics. 

Interviewed players and developed articles and content used on website. 

University of Southern California—Annenberg School of Communications, Los Angeles, CA (2000)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communications; minor in Spanish