Public Relations · University of Oregon · Class of 2026
I'm John Romero — a PR student at the University of Oregon with a passion for strategic communications, sports media, and audience engagement. Admitted to the M.A. in Advertising & Brand Responsibility starting Fall 2026.
Campaigns & Projects
Real-world campaigns and coursework that demonstrate strategic thinking, research, and execution across sports, wellness, and community PR.
Developed a full PR and social media campaign for the Portland Trail Blazers. The "Blazer Boosters" campaign addressed declining Gen Z fan engagement by recommending a digital-first, influencer-driven strategy — including partnerships with 5–8 Oregon-based micro-influencers, behind-the-scenes short-form content for TikTok and Reels, and a pre/post-game social debrief series. Objectives targeted a 20% increase in Gen Z digital engagement by Oct 2026 and a 20% increase in game attendance by Feb 2027.
View Full Presentation ↗As an Account Executive at Allen Hall Public Relations, collaborated with a student team on a media outreach campaign for TrackTown USA ahead of the Prefontaine Classic's 50th anniversary at Hayward Field. Drafted personalized pitch emails to local and regional reporters to generate earned media coverage by connecting journalists to the history and significance of the event.
Supported marketing and promotional strategies to enhance the game-day experience for Oregon Athletics fans. Assisted with in-game promotions, on-field activities, and brand activation efforts to boost student participation and school spirit.
Writing Samples
Click any piece to read an excerpt. Writing across PR, media analysis, campaign strategy, and cultural criticism — showing range and strategic thinking.
The University of Oregon's Duck Nest has launched PaddleOn, a new mental health and wellness app designed to help students manage stress, stay organized, and find balance throughout the busy college year. Inspired by the calm and steady nature of ducks, the app gives students easy access to tools and resources that make taking care of their mental health simpler than ever.
College life is exciting but often overwhelming, especially for students balancing classes, work, and personal commitments. According to the American College Health Association's 2024 report, 76.4% of college students experienced moderate or high stress in the past month.
The app features a Paddle Planner for scheduling, Quack Chats for peer and professional support, Duck Pond Meditations for stress relief, and Paddle On, Ducks — a goal-tracking feature to keep students motivated and mindful of their progress.
"At the Duck Nest, we're always looking for new ways to make resources more accessible for students. Our hope with PaddleOn is to encourage Ducks to take small, manageable steps each day to care for their well-being." — Jordan Lee, Wellness Coordinator, Duck Nest
The Spurs needed to stay culturally relevant and emotionally connected with younger fans, especially during seasons when winning alone wasn't enough to carry excitement. Instead of chasing trends, the Spurs chose to celebrate their identity — leaning into something no other NBA team could copy: San Antonio's culture.
The Spurs embedded San Antonio's cultural identity directly into their branding, making fandom feel like a form of self-expression rather than just support for a team. Instead of asking fans to buy in, the campaign made fans feel like they already belonged.
When you think about professional Call of Duty, one of the first names that comes to mind is Seth "Scump" Abner. His career shows that success in esports isn't just about mechanical skill — it's also about mental strength, leadership, and the ability to adapt in an environment that's always changing.
As the face of OpTic Gaming, Scump carried the weight of huge expectations from fans and teammates. His leadership went beyond the game itself, creating a positive environment where his teammates could trust and rely on him.
After more than a decade of competing, Scump retired in early 2023, explaining that the constant travel, long hours of practice, and nonstop public attention started to wear on him. His openness about mental fatigue and burnout reflects a growing issue in esports — many players feel the same pressure to always be "on," performing for both fans and sponsors.
Even after stepping away, Scump continues to make an impact as a content creator and broadcaster, showing how the skills players develop — communication, teamwork, and resilience — go beyond the game itself.
Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is often discussed as a film about greed, excess, and the corruption of American capitalism. However, beyond its depiction of financial fraud, the film offers a clear example of gendered representation that aligns closely with Laura Mulvey's theory of the male gaze.
Mulvey argues that mainstream cinema is structured around a patriarchal viewing position that divides visual pleasure between active male subjects and passive female objects. In The Wolf of Wall Street, women are repeatedly framed as spectacles, fragmented through camera work, and positioned as objects of visual pleasure, while Jordan Belfort remains the active driver of the narrative.
Even if the film critiques Jordan's behavior, it still relies on the same visual language Mulvey identifies. The camera does not distance the audience from Jordan's gaze — it immerses them in it. Looking at the film through Mulvey's framework makes it clear that the male gaze continues to shape mainstream cinema, even in contemporary films.
As an Account Executive at Allen Hall Public Relations, I collaborated with a student team on a media outreach campaign for TrackTown USA ahead of the Prefontaine Classic's 50th anniversary — one of the most prestigious track and field meets in the world, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Work centered on drafting personalized pitch emails to local and regional reporters, making the case for why the 50th anniversary was a compelling story worth covering. The goal was to generate earned media coverage by connecting journalists to the history, significance, and community impact of the event — rather than relying on paid promotion.
Experience
Professional roles spanning PR strategy, communications, and marketing — from student agencies to university administration.
Let's Connect
Graduating Spring 2026 and starting my M.A. in Advertising & Brand Responsibility in Fall 2026. Always happy to talk PR, sports media, or creative strategy.
Social Media Work
Content that connects
Social strategy and content work spanning sports, campus events, and wellness — with a focus on reaching younger audiences where they already are.
Recommended a short-form video strategy for the Trail Blazers targeting Gen Z fans through micro-influencer collaborations, behind-the-scenes access, and interactive pre/post-game social content.
Managed social media content, media lists, and digital outreach for TrackTown USA to expand awareness and attendance for Hayward Field competitions across local and regional audiences.
Contributed to brand activation and in-game promotion efforts at Oregon Athletics events, supporting digital and on-site engagement to boost school spirit and student participation.