CBSHS alumni profile: Kim Hollis, ‘11

When your day job involves selling people on loving college football, it helps to be a fan of it. Luckily for Kim Hollis, senior marketing manager at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, college football has always held a special place in her heart.

This Department of Communication alumna has certainly found her niche in the marketing and football world. We got the opportunity to ask her about what her job entails, how Clemson prepared her for it and why Death Valley is still sacred after all these years of college football experience.

What degree did you earn at Clemson?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a double minor in journalism and psychology.

What is your typical work day like at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame?

The best part about my job is that I don’t have a typical work day. Every day is different and I love the challenge and variety. In a recent work day, I discussed strategy with our media buying agency to determine how to best use our advertising budget for the new fiscal year, selected advertising locations and creative assets for our new ads, reviewed and revised two weeks’ worth of social posts for our social media calendar, edited press releases and media alerts for PR outreach, scheduled a photographer to shoot one of our special events and worked with our creative agency to develop print ads and social media graphics. I’m never bored!

Are there any job experiences that stick out as particularly memorable?

I’ve had the opportunity to work on several events that took place in and near our building, including SEC Media Days, the ESPN College Football Red Carpet and Awards Show and Super Bowl Weekend in February 2019. My most memorable experience thus far is having the opportunity to go into the game in Santa Clara for the National Championship this year. I got to cheer Clemson on to victory, and I’ll never forget that moment. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t already been in San Jose working the Hall’s activation at Fan Central.

Any advice you would give to students interested in your current line of work?

Working in marketing—especially sports marketing—is not always glamorous. In fact, most of the behind-the-scenes work is challenging and involves long hours, but the reward is worth it. Moments like being at the National Championship, meeting current and former players and coaches and getting to look behind the curtain into the sports world offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences you won’t find in many other jobs or industries. A great attitude and a willingness to take on any task, big or small, will get you far if you are thinking about working in sports.

How did Clemson prepare you for your current career?

My communications and public relations classes during my junior and senior year were taught by professionals who were working in the industry and teaching at Clemson. They taught me valuable, real-world lessons and skills that I’ve utilized in all of my jobs since graduation. My journalism professor and PR professor made sure we all purchased AP Stylebooks and I still have mine on my desk at work, and I use it frequently!

What is a fond memory of Clemson for you?

My first Clemson football game. It was Labor Day weekend my freshman year and it was a sold-out night game against Florida State. I had never attended a game at Clemson and I’ll never forget the feeling of being in the upper deck and cheering for the Tigers with my friends for the first time.

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