Craig Kelley

Craig Kelley is the Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Marketing Officer at USC Athletics, a position he has held since 2017. He has been with USC Athletics since 2001, initially as an associate athletic director handling marketing.1 In his current role, Kelley oversees all aspects of external operations, including marketing, digital marketing, ticketing, promotions, advertising, and game day production.1 He manages a staff of about 43 people across various departments such as video, social media, fan engagement, graphic design, community service, and business intelligence.2

Prior to joining USC, Kelley worked as a sales manager at P3 for two years (1999-2001). He received his bachelor's degree in radio-TV-film from Cal State Northridge in 1999, where he was also a sprinter on the track team.1

During his tenure at USC, Kelley has been involved in significant marketing campaigns, including the "We Play" campaign, which aimed to position USC alongside major Los Angeles sports brands.2 He has also overseen the growth of his department from a team of five to over 40 people, reflecting the athletic department's increased investment and trust in his leadership.2