Clemson to hold third annual Social Media Week

Banana Ball, The Bachelorette, Hershey chocolate and zoo animals — all these and more are set to be featured at Clemson’s third annual Social Media Week hosted by the Department of Communication’s Social Media Listening Center (SMLC).

From February 25-28, students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to gain insight from and network with social media professionals in various fields of marketing, journalism, social influencing, analytics and more. 

“We started Social Media Week by only bringing people from Clemson who work in the social space, but since then, we have broadened the scope to include social media professionals from different industries,” said Brandon Boatwright, director of the Social Media Listening Center. “It is a great way for students, faculty and staff to learn more about the professional aspects of social media across industries.”

The purpose of the week is to showcase the many avenues of a career in social media and teach attendees how to navigate such a dynamic, rapidly changing workplace.  

“The Social Media Listening Center is a leader in social media research and analytics nationwide. This week-long event provides incredible opportunities for Clemson students and employees to learn from industry professionals and social media experts at globally recognized brands.”

Deanna Sellnow, chair of the Department of Communication

On Tuesday, February 25, students can enjoy a “Content and Coffee Chat” with Madison Cockfield and Tim Morrison, who serve as senior social media lead and vice president, respectively, of Infinity Marketing. Sara Smith, manager of social media listening and analytics at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is also slated to offer insight regarding information and risk management on social media, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires.

Additionally on Tuesday, Dylan Peterkin, a social media listening professional who spent over six years as a social media intelligence manager at Chegg, will discuss how to achieve professional growth in the social media realm. Paige Walker, associate manager of consumer insights at The Hershey Company, will round out the day by sharing the secrets of Hershey’s consumer marketing success strategies.

Wednesday, February 26, welcomes Jillian Ney, CEO and co-founder of Social Intelligence Lab, to explore the future of the social media listening industry, followed by a social media influencing masterclass led by influencers Terry and Kaniyia, Bailey Lavender and Meagan Eby.

Wednesday afternoon, Amelia Berg and Anna Kate Lebold, the marketing coordinator and social media marketing manager of the Savannah Bananas, will take the stage to discuss the social branding of “The Greatest Show in Sports” and share how their strategy has contributed to the ever-increasing popularity of Banana Ball.

 On Thursday, February 27, Shawn Hollenbach, a social media lead at Audible, will begin the day with “Threads that Connect: Mastering Social Media Storytelling.” Then, it is all about taming the feed with Brooke Fortune, communication and social media strategist for Zoo Atlanta, who will share tips for planning and creating effective social content.

Later in the day, those hoping to achieve greater social wellness will have the opportunity to learn from Marshall Anthony Jr., director of policy and impact at Chegg, and Zainab Okolo, senior vice president of policy, advocacy and government relations for the Jed Foundation, in their session titled “Balancing Mental Health and the Online Experience.” Amanda Jeppson, associate director of research and insight at Fetch, will conclude Thursday’s sessions with a discussion on social media’s growing position in the marketing world.

On Friday, February 28, Clemson alumna Whitney Sullivan returns to campus to discuss the role of social media in news reporting and breaking news coverage. Sullivan now works as a morning anchor and multi-platform producer for WLTX Columbia and will be joined by FOX Carolina’s Brookley Cromer.

Additionally, fans of The Bachelorette television show will have the opportunity to meet former contestants Sam McKinney and Thomas Nguyen. McKinney and Nquyen are professional influencers and will offer advice about creating strong personal brands in a growing online space.

Friday afternoon, Clemson alumnus and former running back Darien Rencher, alongside Coralie Bertrand and Chizorom Okoronkwo, will share their expertise as innovators in social media. All three panelists bring years of experience in content creation, strategy and social listening.

During Social Media Week’s grand finale, Chelsie Hall, CEO and co-founder of ViralMoment, will discuss the vital role social media plays in the entertainment industry and how a corporation should cut through the noise of the internet to effectively utilize trends to build their success.

Ultimately, Social Media Week offers opportunities to establish a host of professional connections and learn more about a successful career in social media — one with endless possibilities.

“When I was a student, social media professionals would always say they ‘fell into this,’ but now we have formalized training based on what we know about communication, marketing, branding and the experiences of folks who are doing this professionally,” Boatwright said. “You may think a career in social media is only about content creation, but it is not. There is so much more to the field, and we host Social Media Week to broaden students’ understanding of a career in social media, as well as provide best practices and tips for success in the field.” 

Students, faculty and staff who would like to learn more about Social Media Week can visit the website for more information.