Kyle Thweatt Overview of Experience at KemperLesnik 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational

During my final semester at Syracuse University, I worked as the Media Relations and Sports Event Intern at KemperLesnik. As a part of this experience I was involved in the planning and execution in the areas of media and public relations, social media, live event production and event operations for the 31st annual EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Media Relations: Pre-Tournament

Wrote press releases, fact sheets and other miscellaneous tournament documents that were distributed to national media, participating team market media and Hawaii media.

Oversaw the design and content of the 54-page 2014 Tournament souvenir program, enhancing the publication’s history section by developing ideas for layout redesign and conducting statistical research. In addition, interviewed and wrote a feature article on San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher.

Media Operations: Onsite

Worked as member of the five person onsite media team responsible for setting up and managing the media operations including press row, the press room and postgame press conferences.

Social Media: Pre and During Tournament

Updated the official Tournament website with recaps of each game during the Championship Round and kept site up-to-date with relevant Tournament news and information. Distributed updates by creating email newsletters for the Tournament Hoops Club and sponsors.

Led social media efforts for the Tournament by utilizing Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to engage with fans, participating schools and sponsors, creating relevant and timely content.

Promoted all aspects of the Tournament, including games, halftime performances, fan fest, celebrities in attendance and other non-basketball events.

Increased followers across all three platforms by 13% and over 1000 fans/followers, while the following on the Tournament’s Instagram account increased 112%.

Live Event Production

Worked with tournament partners and booked local entertainment groups for national anthem performances and halftime performances as well as coordinated various timeout activities and game ball presentations.

Collaborated with the onsite operations crew and technology personnel to identify the needs of the groups and to successfully execute the performances.

Communicated with school SIDs and Tournament sponsors in order to secure notable attendees, famous alumni and local dignitaries for game ball presentations. (i.e. Hall of Fame coach Norm Stewart and Hall of Fame player Mitch Richmond)

Event Operations

Updated the 2014 Tournament operations manual.

Assembled venue guides for the use of the onsite operations crew.

Wrote and organized in-game scripts for public address announcer

Wrote and organized scripts for non game events including the Head Coaches Press Conference, Players Party with all eight attending teams and the Parade of Teams for the public ticketed banquet.