Meet Dylan Fister
INTRO TO ME:
Hi! My name is Dylan, and I am a Sports Information and Media Major with a business management certificate here at Duquesne. In my last semester in school, I am looking for work all around the country, specifically in Pittsburgh and in my home state of Rhode Island. My favorite past times involve me bouncing from home to home, enjoying everything the city has to offer, as well as the relaxing beach atmosphere in Westerly, RI. In Pittsburgh, I love taking pictures of any sports I can find, as well as taking the time off to enjoy watching the Steelers, Pens, and Pirates in person. When I am not watching sports, I am always up for an adventure to explore new parts of the city. Back home I enjoy spending leisure time with my family at some of my favorite restaurants and taking my dog for walks on the beach.
What I’d Like to Take Away From SMDM
Improve the quality of my brand across all platforms, meaning tailoring content for each cite, while also creating a uniform brand that is consistent.
Gain an introduction into the importance and specifics of data analytics.
Learn the advanced tactics of the various forms of marketing in order to maintain a consistently up to date tool box.
Something You May Not Know
In the Spring Semester of 2024, I finished my first ever internship, working for the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant photographer. I helped the team photographers in the game-day duties, while helping with special events like player head shots, and promotions. My main duties encompassed capturing passionate fans all around the lower bowl during Pens home games. I was also frequently weaving my way through crazy crowds to capture merchandise, sponsors, famous athletes, and other special events.
My Favorite Work Trips
As a photographer for the Duquesne Student Newspaper and Student Television, I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the country to cover Duquesne Athletics. From a packed car ride to West Virginia my freshman year, to a plane ride and an overnight stay in Omaha to cover the NCAA March Madness tournament, my trips have had it all. This past football season, I traveled with a few fellow photographers to watch the Duquesne Dukes face off against big time opponents. The 2024 season allowed me to visit, Boston College, Youngstown State University, and Central Connecticut State University. Experiencing these trips to do what I love was a dream come true, and I look forward to many more opportunities like this in the future!
To see more of my work, check out my Instagram!
Recent Articles
If you're looking to understand how professional sports leagues manage their online presence, my NHL social media audit breaks down the league’s digital strategy, highlighting key strengths and areas for improvement.
NHL SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
For those interested in data-driven marketing, my article on sharing and tracking links with Google Analytics explains how to measure engagement and optimize campaigns effectively.
COURSE WORK
Here are the big projects from my Social Media and Digital Marketing class. Click the linked assignments below to check them out:
Riverhounds Digital Marketing Plan
2 Things I Learned About My Work from Digital Analytics
The power of choosing a platform.
Working with Google Analytics in different forms throughout the semester has improved my understanding that not all digital platforms are the same. While its quite obvious that the all the different social sites has very different features, it was very eye-opening to see the varying results they drew from the same marketing tactics. I realized that each platform has unique strengths and weaknesses, especially when comparing mobile vs. desktop usage. Some platforms, like Instagram or TikTok, generate fast bursts of attention but often lead to short engagement times. Others, like blog websites or LinkedIn, have fewer users but hold longer and more engaged attention. This insight helped me think more strategically about where I post content and what device it is likely to be accessed on.
Learning to run a brand account
This summer, I’ll be running the social media accounts for Moon Golf Club, and thanks to this class, I feel confident and prepared for the role. The most valuable takeaways for me came from our lessons on managing branded social media accounts. I learned that successful brand pages require strategy, consistency, and a clear understanding of your audience on each platform. These lessons gave me a solid foundation for building engagement, showcasing the club’s personality, and driving growth online. I’m excited to put these skills into action and continue to improve my digital marketing ability.
