Keri Potts has been promoted to director, communications, college sports, in ESPN’s communications department. A member of the department since 2003, most recently she was an associate director based in New York, overseeing communications efforts for ESPN Content Development, including the “30 for 30” documentary series, consumer marketing and espnW. In her new role, Potts will be responsible for coordinating and guiding the strategic communications efforts around all college sports event and studio content, including college football and the Bowl Championship Series, men’s and women’s basketball, NCAA Championships including the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, all other college sports, ESPNU, ESPN Regional Television’s collegiate offerings and related content and businesses. She will be based at the company’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn., and will report to Josh Krulewitz, vice president, communications.
Potts joined ESPN in Bristol as a senior publicist in 2003, working on the NFL, NBA and ESPN Original Entertainment. In 2005, she was promoted to associate manager, communications, and moved to New York to focus on ESPN’s original entertainment programming. She handled day-to-day publicity efforts for ESPN’s scripted series (The Bronx is Burning and TILT), reality shows (Dream Job and The World Series of Poker), reality series (The Season, Block Party) and made-for-TV movies (Four Minutes, Ruffian). She was promoted to manager in 2007. As associate director, communications, since 2008, her responsibilities included ESPN Content Development, consumer marketing and espnW. She led the strategic direction for publicity efforts regarding the launch of the ESPN Films division and two of its main efforts: the critically acclaimed documentary film series “30 for 30” and the ESPN/Tribeca Sports Film Festival. Additionally, she oversaw Content Development’s live events — The ESPYs and ESPN’s New Years Eve special, as well as reality series, specials and scripted content. In addition, she has overseen the PR efforts surrounding the launch of espnW, ESPN’s first dedicated women’s business.
A native of Smithtown, N.Y., Potts received a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism and a master’s degree in public relations and organizational management in 1998 and 1999, respectively, from The Newhouse School at Syracuse University where she was a scholarship volleyball player and co-captain. She was named to the first team GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America team in 1999, won The Soladay Award, given to the school’s top female student-athlete, and was named the Orange Plus Woman of the Year, given by the athletics alumni association.
After college and serving as an intern in public relations at Nike in Beaverton, Ore., in October 1999 Potts joined the communications department at the NCAA in Indianapolis as assistant director, communications, and worked there until joining ESPN.
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