Ian Kenyon, Mar. 8, 2018, IYCMI:

Ian Kenyon has been the NFL Associate Editor for Bleacher Report, since 2012, and currently resides in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In his role, Ian hires and manages NFL feature columnists for Bleacher Report and heads the production, creation, and execution of Bleacher Report NFL's content. Bleacher Report, owned by Turner Sports, is a leading digital sports and entertainment news and content platform.

For SBC members actively seeking employment or opportunities in the sports industry, especially opportunities in the world of sports journalism such as Bleacher Report, Ian Kenyon had this to say:

On what he looks for in writing hires...
" I really look for mastery of the subject. I can teach you how to write but I am looking for people who know what they're talking about and know how to express that. X's and O's. Writing in-depth things to show you have a mastery level of knowledge and topic, is key."

On Twitter as an asset and resource...
"Interacting with people, use it as a tool to talk with your favorite writer. Get to know community Twitters. Opportunities will come. It is all about making those connections and being positive. Being encouraging. Be cognizant of your Twitter profile, it may hurt your job chances." 
"When it becomes antagonistic it becomes an issue. Cutting off groups and slandering is where we draw the line. Speaking out is great, in a smart way that does not offend."

On unpaid internship opportunities...
"I worked for unpaid or minimum wage internships. They are necessary to do to get your foot in the door. It is the reality of how it all works. You have to put in the time to boost your resume, make connections, and get yourself out there."

On the changing landscape of sports media...
"It will continue to evolve. How we consume sports and sports news changes frequently. We must change how we present it all. Early on it was very SEO based, then shifted to more social media based, and now it is very App based. It is an ever-evolving thing."
"There has been a pivot to video due to the ease of selling a video ad vs. a website banner ad. In the end, sports is a business to generate revenue. There is also allot of future in podcasts because they can be consumed anywhere and everywhere."

Thank you to Ian Kenyon for making the trip from Eau Claire and taking the time to share his invaluable insight with our club about the ins and outs of working for Bleacher Report and the sports journalism industry. 

Reach out and learn more about Ian Kenyon
Follow Ian Kenyon on Twitter: @IanKenyonNFL

Learn more about Bleacher Report
Follow Bleacher Report NFL on Twitter: @BR_NFL