CLEVELAND – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced that Jonathan Platten has been hired to the position of Director (Creative Services).
 
Platten will officially begin his duties on October 21. His responsibilities will include serving as the primary editor of the NACDA Daily Review, overseeing content and creative direction for NACDA's digital magazine, Athletics Administration, and enhancing brand awareness and amplified storytelling on social media channels across NACDA's 19 Affiliate Associations.
 
Platten comes to the National Office after spending the last several years as director of digital communications for Helix Ventures, a local partnership marketing agency. During his time with Helix, he spearheaded integrated communications strategies to ensure alignment with business objectives and brand standards across digital, public relations and sales channels. Platten directed and implemented multi-channel marketing campaigns for a portfolio of clients in the Cleveland area.
 
"The addition of this communications position has been a long time coming, and we are very excited to announce Jonathan as the newest member of the NACDA Family," said NACDA Chief Executive Officer, Pat Manak. "His experience in the creative space, not just within intercollegiate athletics but in other industries as well, will allow him to have an immediate positive impact both internally with our staff and externally with our members."
 
"From my start in college athletics at the University of Akron, I've always followed NACDA and admired the historic impact the Association has had on the industry," said Platten. "To now come full circle and officially join the NACDA Family is an amazing opportunity. I'm excited to return to the industry and use creative digital storytelling to share what makes NACDA and its Affiliates so special."
 
A Northeast Ohio native, Platten is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron (UA), earning a bachelor's degree in public relations in 2015 and a master's degree in sports administration in 2016. He began his career on campus as an undergraduate student working in Akron's athletics communications office, eventually advancing to graduate assistant in 2015-16.
 
After graduating, Platten served as a media relations assistant at the Mid-American Conference office in Cleveland before returning to UA as assistant director of communications, a position he held from 2017-20.
 
About NACDA: Now in its 61st year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,200 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.