Ahead of the trends at ESPN: Meet Celene, senior SEO analyst
Attending NAHJ this year? Stop by the ESPN booth to meet employees like Celene, a senior SEO analyst based in Los Angeles who works behind-the-scenes to maintain ESPN’s status as the world’s leading multiplatform sports entertainment brand. Let’s pass the ball to Celene for a Q&A on how she uses analytics to keep ESPN ahead of the latest trends and what it’s like to work here!
What inspired you to pursue a career in sports media?
I never really saw myself pursuing a career in sports, but when I had the opportunity to interview for the company back in 2022, I realized how fun and exciting the culture of sports media was. Most places I worked at prior would have watch parties for games, but working in sports, your job is to cover that excitement daily. After feeling a bit burnt out from working in breaking news, I realized ESPN was the perfect way to combine my favorite pastime, watching sports, with my passion for journalism.
Why did you want to work at ESPN?
When you think of sports, ESPN is automatically the brand that comes to mind. As a kid, I remember always noticing that no matter where I went, if there was a TV, ESPN was always the channel that was on. For me it felt personal to work at a brand that has such an impact on our culture.
Tell us about your current role. What does a day in the life look like for you?
My days rarely look the same since I work across multiple sports teams. A big part of my job is monitoring trends on search engines such as Google. If I see something trending, I pitch those ideas to our content teams so they can potentially write a story on it. I also help editors optimize their articles so ESPN content could become more visible for audiences of all types, from casual sports fans to core sports fans. We want to make sure ESPN.com is the trusted platform they turn to for their sports questions.
How does the culture at ESPN foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?
There are so many BERGs (Business Employee Resource Groups) at ESPN and Disney, and there always seems to be an event celebrating employee diversity. The company’s commitment to diversity is a year-round priority, and they convey that commitment in an authentic and organic way.
What advice would you give to those looking to write the next chapter of their careers at ESPN?
Get outside of your comfort zone! Learn more about a sport you rarely watch, meet people outside of your team/organization, and be proactive to volunteer for company events!
Don’t miss your shot to connect with ESPN recruiters and employees like Celene at NAHJ. Find us at booth 307, and explore our job openings to see how your talents and passion for sports can lead you to a fulfilling career at ESPN.
