Jason Tirotta
Biography
Jason Tirotta is the Assistant Director, Web and Creative Services for the Kent State Regional Campus system. He first returned to Kent State as the Communications and Marketing Specialist at Kent State Ashtabula in November 2013 before being promoted to Manager of Communications and Marketing in July, 2017. He joined the Regional Campus Marketing and Communications (RC MarComm) team in October of 2021.
His primary role is to support marketing efforts of the Regional Campus system through day-to-day management and production of key communications for the RC MarComm team by Ccoordinating creative services (editing, graphic design, photograph) and production of the unit’s strategic print and web-based projects, managing editor for online communications, serving as team liaison to university community and other marketing professionals, project leading with direct oversight for web, content, creative, and social media teams within the RC system.
At the campus level, he is charged with overseeing the campus’s internal and external communications, marketing strategy, advertising and media/public relations efforts, providing support to recruitment, enrollment, advancement and community relations. In his previous role, his primary responsibilities included graphic design and production for campus communication pieces including print, web and video. His layouts and design work has virtually overhauled the department’s messaging and provided the school with a fresh, updated and bold look. He also coordinates and directs social media outreach, website updates, video features, e-bulletin boards and other campus communications while also serving as the campus photographer. Tirotta also represented the seven regional campuses on the system-wide Kent State Social Media Action Committee.
Prior to coming to Kent State Ashtabula, Tirotta spent nearly five years at Lake Erie College, including the last three as Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations. He was named Lake Erie College’s sports information and marketing coordinator in August 2009 and named Assistant AD in 2011. Tirotta oversaw the day-to-day publicity, marketing and promotion of 23 NCAA Division II varsity sports while serving as the primary media contact for the Department and all Storm athletic teams. During his time at Lake Erie, Tirotta led a revamping of the athletic department's corporate partnership program, redesigned the department publications and directed the development and launch of LakeErieStorm.com in May of 2010 (and subsequent redesign in 2013) as well as the department's social media outlets. He developed the Department's first visual branding package and was instrumental in the implementation of the current licensing agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA) and online partnership with FanShop, Inc. to power the Department's shop.LakeErieStorm.com team store. He also headed a group charged with the restructuring of the Storm Club booster organization and served as an ex officio member of the Club's advisory board.
Prior to Lake Erie, Tirotta directed the sports information office at Hiram College and served as assistant and then interim director of athletic communications at Division I Kent State, during which time he pitched feature pieces in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, ESPN and USA Today, among others. He also spent time as a news and information representative in the media relations department at Case Western Reserve University. During his career, Tirotta has had the opportunity to promote numerous ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and All-American selections, including the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Women’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year. Lake Erie had at least one first-team All-District selection in each of his four full years at the school. He also helped direct promotional efforts to highlight several professional draft picks and other student-athletes who signed professional sports contracts.
He served as the host SID for a number of conference, regional and national level championship events and served as a media relations assistant for the Mid-American Conference football and basketball championships, the 2006 NCAA Division I men’s basketball Final Four and 2007 NCAA Division I women’s basketball regional finals.
His freelance work has included statistical entry, official scoring, gameday assistant and public address announcer for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Gladiators, Akron Aeros, Lake County Captains and local schools, as well as journalism, publication and graphic design through Row 42 Creative and also as a past contributor to the Ashtabula Star Beacon.
Tirotta is a 2011 graduate of the Leadership Lake County program and 2015 LEADERship Ashtabula County Graduate. He is also a former decade-long member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America committee and 2004 convention local planning committee.
A native of Lowellville, Ohio, and a cum laude graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and political science, Tirotta is a multiple marathon finisher and is actively involved in the community. He and his wife, Amanda, reside in Saybrook township with their daughter Delaney, son Liam and Chihuahua, Lola.