Mitchell, Creative Manager, Social Media at ESPN: Advize Career Interview

A career journey from college sports radio to ESPN's Creative Manager for Social Media is detailed in this interview.

The path involved a strategic pay cut for an entry-level production assistant role, leveraging creative skills in Photoshop and After Effects.

The interviewee's current responsibilities encompass managing a team of six designers, collaborating across ESPN and Disney, and prioritizing projects.

A typical day involves meetings, content review, and collaboration, focusing on team success.

The interviewee highlights the importance of both creative hard skills and leadership abilities, emphasizing the ongoing need to adapt to a rapidly evolving social media landscape.

Mentorship, inclusive leadership, and strategic networking, including a pivotal move to Bristol, Connecticut, are cited as key to advancement.

The interviewee encourages students to pursue internships and consider programs like ESPN's CAP/Next, advocating proactive engagement in extracurricular activities related to career goals.

The first-generation college experience is also highlighted, demonstrating the value of higher education in cultivating crucial professional skills.

A passion for the industry, driven by a unique blend of sports and Disney/Marvel properties, and a collaborative work environment, completes the picture of a dynamic and rewarding career.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Mitchell Clements

Creative Manager, Social Media

ESPN

University of California, Santa Barbara (2013)

UCLA Anderson School of Management (2026)

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Political Science, American Studies

Arts, Entertainment & Media

Creative

Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student

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Career Path Of A Creative Manager For Social Media At ESPN

Mitchell's career path began with sports radio in college, leading to a job with UCSB Athletics; however, feeling "unfulfilled," Mitchell took a "sizable pay cut" to become an entry-level ESPN production assistant. This pivotal move, allowing Mitchell to leverage "creative control" in social media, ultimately led to their current role as ESPN's Creative Manager for Social Media, overseeing a team creating custom assets for ESPN's social accounts.

Career Path Of A Creative Manager For Social Media At ESPN

Main Responsibilities of a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

Mitchell's career trajectory shifted from a hands-on "individual contributor" creating content using Photoshop and After Effects to a Creative Manager overseeing a team of six designers and collaborating across ESPN and Disney. The role now centers on "laying out the priorities," managing relationships with various stakeholders, and leveraging ESPN's reach to promote Disney initiatives, showcasing a successful transition to people management and cross-company collaboration.

Main Responsibilities of a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

A Day in the Life of a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

A Creative Manager at ESPN spends the day in meetings, reviewing content, and collaborating with sports leads to prioritize projects; Mitchell describes the role as "putting that big vision into focus," helping to "put our designers in the best position to succeed," and knowing when to offer direction and then "step aside and let them cook."

A Day in the Life of a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

Most Important Skills For A Creative Manager Social Media At ESPN

To secure a Creative Manager, Social Media role, a strong foundation in creative hard skills—like "creating special graphics using Photoshop"—is crucial, as demonstrated by Mitchell's portfolio showcasing NBA storylines inspired by movie posters. However, career progression to management requires developing additional skills in team leadership and "selling everyone on the big picture," a transition Mitchell describes as an ongoing learning process.

Most Important Skills For A Creative Manager Social Media At ESPN

Favorite Parts of Being a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

Mitchell, a Creative Manager at ESPN, finds the most rewarding aspect of their role is "seeing the growth and success of teammates," acting as a "point guard" facilitating collaboration and enabling others' achievements. This perspective reflects five years of experience on their current team and seven years at ESPN, showcasing a career path focused on mentorship and team success.

Favorite Parts of Being a Social Media Creative Manager at ESPN

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Creative Social Media Manager At ESPN

Mitchell's biggest challenge as ESPN's Creative Manager, Social Media, is navigating "people dynamics" in a remote work environment, ensuring team alignment and fair treatment, while simultaneously needing to "keep an eye out for the next big tool" in the rapidly evolving media landscape. The latter challenge involves leveraging AI and new technologies to keep ESPN social ahead of the curve, a pursuit Mitchell finds both challenging and rewarding.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Creative Social Media Manager At ESPN

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Sports Media Industry As An ESPN Social Media Creative Manager

Mitchell, ESPN's Creative Manager, Social Media, thrives on the unique blend of "the box of toys" — sports and Disney/Marvel properties — available to leverage creatively. This, coupled with the constant challenge of developing unique social media content that sets ESPN apart, and the collaborative environment with talented colleagues, fuels Mitchell's passion for the role.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Sports Media Industry As An ESPN Social Media Creative Manager

What Type Of Person Thrives In Sports Media, According To A Creative Social Media Manager At ESPN

Mitchell, a Creative Manager at ESPN, identifies "collaborators" who are willing to "take the time to talk to a PA and hear them out" as thriving in the industry. This "inclusive leadership mindset," a natural part of their being rather than a forced behavior, is key to success and distinguishes enduring creative companies from fleeting ones.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Sports Media, According To A Creative Social Media Manager At ESPN

What a Social Media Manager at ESPN Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Industry

Mitchell, a Creative Manager at ESPN, wished they had known the social media landscape's rapid evolution and the industry's growth potential when starting their career in 2013; the advice given is to "stay nimble, keep your head on a swivel" and adapt to the changing media marketplace to find opportunities that best utilize their talents.

What a Social Media Manager at ESPN Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Industry

Entry-level positions for aspiring Creative Managers, Social Media

Mitchell, a Creative Manager at ESPN, highlights internships as crucial entry points, emphasizing that "it's like a long audition" for showcasing skills and work ethic. The ESPN CAP/Next program, a rotational program, also provides a pathway, allowing individuals to "pivot into that specialty" after gaining experience in different company areas.

Entry-level positions for aspiring Creative Managers, Social Media

Significant Career Lesson from a Creative Manager Social Media at ESPN

Mitchell's significant career lesson emphasizes the importance of proximity to decision-makers; the choice to relocate to ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, despite preferring a location like Santa Barbara, "paved the way" for career advancement through strong personal relationships with key figures, ultimately leading to Mitchell's current role. The five years spent in Connecticut proved "transformative," highlighting the value of in-person networking for career growth.

Significant Career Lesson from a Creative Manager Social Media at ESPN

College Experiences That Helped A Creative Manager Social Media At ESPN Succeed

Mitchell's college success stemmed from proactive pursuit of sports media experience outside the political science major coursework; "everything I did outside of the classroom had everything to do with sports media," including radio work, directing KCSB sports, and internships culminating in a fortuitous opportunity with UC Santa Barbara Athletics. This proactive approach, and being "at the right place at the right time," ultimately launched Mitchell's career.

College Experiences That Helped A Creative Manager Social Media At ESPN Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced A Social Media Manager At ESPN's Career

Mitchell's first-generation college experience, driven by parental support but without pressure to pursue a specific field, provided four years to "figure things out" and develop crucial professional skills. This journey, culminating in a career at ESPN, highlights the value of higher education in fostering "how to think and how to communicate," ultimately proving that hard work and teamwork lead to success.

How Identity Has Influenced A Social Media Manager At ESPN's Career

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellclements/