SAN JOSE, Calif. – Megan MacLeod has joined San José State as the new Associate Athletics Director for Marketing, Digital Media and Licensing, announced by Deputy Athletics Director Scott MacDonald. The search was performed by Katy Young Staudt from Turnkey ZRG.
"I want to thank Katy and Turnkey for their assistance in identifying some very talented candidates," said MacDonald. "Megan's experience aligned with our vision to provide the very best in-game experience for our fans and her expertise in creative and marketing will build on the momentum SJSU has produced over the last few years."
MacLeod comes to SJSU with a wealth of experience following three years at South Alabama and more than 15 years in the industry. At South Alabama, she was a member of the senior leadership team with direct responsibility for brand advancement and fan engagement. She has spent time at Power-5 schools Illinois, Iowa and Purdue, as well as running football marketing experiences at Memphis, South Florida and South Alabama.
- MacLeod joined South Alabama after spending the previous three-plus years as Director of Marketing at South Florida. At South Alabama, her duties focused on brand advancement, marketing, creative content and in-game entertainment programming with goals including developing initiatives to increase awareness and attendance, engage students, enhance the customer experience and solidify the department's brand
- At South Florida, she helped the Bulls football attendance increase by 20 percent overall and nearly 40 percent among students in 2018, while helping grow attendance at men's basketball by almost 50 percent — highlighted by a 90 percent jump in student presence — and almost 20 percent overall growth in crowds at women's basketball games
- Prior to South Florida, she was at Memphis for over six years where she started with the Tigers as Assistant Director of Marketing & Promotions before moving up to Director of Game Presentation & Promotions
- MacLeod was also Assistant Director of Promotions & Advertising at Purdue (2009-10), Assistant Director of Marketing & Promotions at Davidson (2008-09) and started as a post-graduate intern in sports marketing at Iowa (2007-08)
- MacLeod graduated from Illinois in 2005 with a degree in leisure studies
- She also earned her master's degree from Illinois in recreation, sport & tourism from the school the following year
- MacLeod has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators since 2009, serving on multiple committees within the organization
What they are saying about MacLeod ...
Ryan Bradley, Vice President for Strategic Communications at the University of Alabama
"Megan has been a rising star in college athletics for quite some time, said Ryan Bradley. Her work ethic is unmatched and her passion rubs off on everyone she comes in contact with. I have no doubt she will seize this opportunity with her renowned enthusiasm and make a major impact for San José State Athletics."
Terry Fowler, Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of South Alabama
"San Jose State University hired an incredible person, co-worker, creative and brand ambassador for their University! Megan took our brand at South to new heights during her time here and I feel confident she will do the same there! Megan's pulse for Fan Engagement, Game Day Experience, and University Branding is elite. She is a great communicator and knows how to connect with the student-athletes. Megan will enhance the entire athletic department at San José State University!"
Jeff Kupper, Director of Player Development & Football Operations at Florida State
"I cannot say enough about how great of a person Megan MacLeod is. Her effort and passion for her job are matched only by the camaraderie and admiration she creates with colleagues and stakeholders everywhere she has been. I can think of no person who has dedicated themselves to the service of others more than her. She is a true bright spot in more ways than I can list."
Daniel McCarthy, Deputy Athletic Director at the University of South Alabama
"Megan came to the University of South Alabama during an exciting period of growth and transition. Her extensive background and experience in the area of marketing and fan engagement was critical to our success in opening a new on-campus football stadium. She also brought much needed brand consistency across all of our externally-facing platforms and put us in position to capitalize on the momentum."
Adam Schemm, Senior Associate Director of Athletics - External Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"Megan is a high-level athletics administrator, a true marketer and an even better person. She knows what success looks like from a marketing and fan engagement standpoint and how it is accomplished. Megan has a proven track record of increasing attendance, growing student section participation and creating an elite experience for fans. Her acumen and foundational principles of being a teacher and leader in the collegiate athletics marketing field are next level. This will be one of the best athletics administration hires this year."
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