Alumni Spotlight: Katie Martin, BN’10

The Drake Grad Behind the NFL’s Biggest Campaigns

As Katie Martin, BN’10, reflected on her journey from the classrooms of Drake University to the high-stakes world of NFL marketing, one memory stands out: the adrenaline rush of her advertising capstone project. “I still remember the nerves and excitement of pitching our campaign,” she said. “It was the first time I felt the real-world thrill of the advertising world.” That same thrill now fuels her every day as Brand Director at 72andSunny, where she handles one of the most high-profile accounts in sports.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Martin was eager to explore new cities when she discovered Drake University. The smaller school size appealed to her desire for a personalized academic experience. “I knew going into school that I wanted to major in something related to advertising, so when I found out that, at the time, Drake offered an advertising account management major, I was sold,” she recalled. A campus tour sealed the deal.

She fondly remembers professors Sandy Henry, Mary Edrington, and Dorothy Pisarski, with whom she still keeps in touch.

Today, Martin’s role at 72andSunny is dynamic and multifaceted. As Brand Director for the NFL account, she plays a dual role: being the client’s brand steward and mentoring her internal team. “A lot of my job is also being a pseudo therapist and having empathy and listening skills. Honing your communication skills is incredibly key. Being a great listener is one of the most important parts of my job,” she explained. Her responsibilities are diverse, from ensuring that the client’s vision aligns with agency deliverables to mentoring brand supervisors and managers.

Smiling woman at a football stadium with a crowded background.
“We make work that is seen by millions of people during some of the most impactful moments in culture.”
Martin’s work takes her far beyond the traditional office setting. “It’s not always emails and phone calls; I’m also on shoots filming with players or influencers and in edit bays or mix studios. It’s a profession that doesn’t have you tied to a desk, which I love,” she said. Her recent projects included a whirlwind travel schedule filming with NFL players for the 2024 season’s brand campaign.

Handling a high-profile account like the NFL comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. “All eyes are on you to raise the bar year after year,” Martin said. Balancing the demands of her workload while maintaining innovation and work-life balance is no small task. However, the rewards are equally great. “We make work that is seen by millions of people during some of the most impactful moments in culture, one of which, of course, is the Super Bowl,” she said. Working alongside some of the brightest minds in marketing, including NFL CMO Tim Ellis and 72andSunny’s Glenn Cole, pushes her to elevate her own game.

Katie Martin wearing a gray top standing outdoors.
Martin’s portfolio is filled with standout campaigns, including the NFL 100 Super Bowl work, which took home multiple Sports Emmys, and the “Run With It” campaign, featuring Diana Flores. “Putting a female athlete on the biggest stage, especially with flag football becoming an Olympic sport for LA28, is such an incredible achievement for the sport overall,” she shared. Another campaign close to her heart is the “Football is For Everyone” initiative, which underscored the NFL’s support for diversity and inclusion following Carl Nassib’s coming out as the first openly gay NFL player.

To stay ahead, Martin emphasized the importance of constant learning and networking. She stays updated through Google alerts, agency briefings from outside vendors, and, most importantly, by engaging in conversations with others in the field.

Martin is also passionate about giving back to the Drake community. “By maintaining an open-door policy, I encourage students to reach out. Professors continue that communication with alumni by inviting them to speak and engage with students,” she said. For Martin, there’s great satisfaction in offering advice or passing along a contact that can open doors that lead to a successful career path.

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