By Stephanie Turner
I’ve sat down with Mr. David Bassity, Assistant Director for Media Relations at the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department. This is his third year as a full-time Assistant Director at OU. Bassity earned his degree in public relations and graduated in December of 2005. Shortly after graduation in 2006, Bassity began working in sport public relations with the Professional Bowlers Association, where he served as one of the main sports information contacts. After a short time with the PBA, he returned home to Oklahoma (originally from Chickasha, Okla.,) to work at his current job. As an OU graduate with a degree in PR, here are a few quick questions about public relations from his perspecitve.
What are some of the qualities you think a person needs to work in the field of public relations?
You need to be outgoing, be able to manage your time well and have a creative mind.
What can you do with a degree in public relations?
You could get a job like I’m doing right now in sports, you could do business public relations, personal public relations (like a publicist) for a big-time celebrity or a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. There are really a lot of different kinds of options with that degree, that’s one of the main reasons why I majored in public relations.
What is it that you do that involves public relations with your job?
One of the main things is I try to generate publicity. Awards campaigns are also a good example of how PR is used in the athletics media relations department. You’re basically making a campaign like a political campaign; you’re trying to step out there for your candidate.
Can you talk about Sam Bradford’s Heisman campaign and how was public relations used in that?
Sam Bradford’s campaign was a very exciting campaign and it was one of the closest Heisman campaigns ever. Having a good PR campaign was crucial to him having a good shot at winning the Heisman Trophy.
What’s a piece of advice you would give to someone who’s entering the work force in the public relations field?
Go hard every day and never be satisfied with your work. Know that your work is always being judged.
Photo courtesy of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Media Relations Department.
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