--- title: NBA x Jesser | 7th Hashtag Sports Awards description: Global awards recognizing excellence in fan engagement and celebrating creativity across sports marketing, media & entertainment image: https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-AF-2025/kLLrVQGy-HbLqIVN3DH-file.png --- NBA x Jesser | 7th Hashtag Sports Awards [The 7th Annual Awards](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025?hsLang=en) # NBA x Jesser [NBA](https://www.nba.com/) Share [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fnba-x-jesser) [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fnba-x-jesser&text=NBA+x+Jesser+%7C+7th+Hashtag+Sports+Awards) [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fnba-x-jesser) ABOUT THIS ENTRY The NBA partnership with Jesser epitomizes our philosophy of cultivating creator relationships over time, while building toward a more holistic approach with touchpoints across the business, cultivating long-term creative partnerships. ![Image](https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-AF-2025/kLLrVQGy-HbLqIVN3DH-file.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=kLLrVQGy-HbLqIVN3DH-file.png) How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"? The partnership represents a leap forward from traditional creator campaigns by extending the engagement with our fans to multiple platforms and business initiatives. We’ve taken engagement from social media exclusively and introduced it to our retail operation, league tentpole events on television, provided a new live game viewing experience and created an entirely new live event focused entirely on creators. We’re meeting and engaging more fans where they prefer to engage with the NBA. Objective As an evolution of our work with creators since 2016, last year’s goal was to build on the incredible success we’ve seen with Jesser’s social executions, traditionally one-off activations, by integrating him throughout the season into league tentpole events and key initiatives across the NBA business. Strategy & Execution We designed a schedule that would allow Jesser to produce content aligned with his personal goals that also drove awareness, engagement and revenue for key NBA initiatives including: Live Game Viewing Experience - co-produced a live alt stream for the NBA App from Bucketsquad studios driving his fans to the league’s digital product. NBA Finals - integrated Jesser as a creator correspondent for NBA digital and social channels providing exclusive access to media days and games during the NBA Finals NBA 2k25 Summer League - Jesser was given exclusive access behind the scenes to help promote the NBA 2K25 Summer League NBA Creator Cup - tapped to participate in our flagship live creator event, the NBA Creator Cup at Emirates NBA Cup livestreamed on the NBA App & YouTube. Official NBA|Bucketsquad merchandise collaboration launched in Q4 and a dedicated pop-up booth at NBA Crossover, the league’s multi-day interactive fan event at NBA All-Star. Selected as a judge for the AT&T Slam Dunk at NBA All-Star Weekend as the fan representative of NBAID, the league’s official membership program. ** Nominations ** - Most Creative Partnership with an Athlete or Influencer **Organizations** - NBA **Featured** - Jesser **Credits** **[ Bob Carney](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Vice President, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Sara Zuckert](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Vice President, Content Strategy & Innovation NBA **[ Tim Frank](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Vice President, League Operations Communications NBA **[ Carlton Myers](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Vice President, Live Production & Entertainment NBA **[ Adam Fedorko](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Vice President, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Michelle Gabel](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Vice President, New Business, Analytics & Special Projects NBA **[ Ashley Atwell](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Vice President, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Marc Hirscheimer](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Vice President, Event Operations NBA **[ Joe Amati](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Vice President, Photo Management NBA **[ Jason Gilfillan](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Associate Vice President, Influencer Content NBA **[ Coleen Kane](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Associate Vice President, Membership Program NBA **[ Patrick Mulrenin](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Associate Vice President, Social & Digital Content Publishing NBA **[ Peter Richter](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Director, Social & Digital Content Design Lead NBA **[ Justin D’Apolito](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Director, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Jacinda Ortiz](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Director, Strategic & Digital Media Communication NBA **[ William Paden](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Director, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Lauren Ware](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Director, Production Management NBA **[ Jeffrey Sanchez](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Director, Influencer Content NBA **[ Tess Quinlan](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Director, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Jake Freeman](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Director, Social Content NBA **[ Greg Palmer](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Video Coordinator, Content NBA **[ Jay Wallace](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Manager, Social & Digital Content Design NBA **[ Carly Nevis](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Manager, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Samantha Linczyk](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Manager, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Eyasu Delesa](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Manager, Strategic & Digital Media Communication NBA **[ Natalie LaBumbard](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Manager, Production Management NBA **[ Elias Williams](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Manager, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Jacob Iden](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Production Assistant, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Harrison Preschel](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Senior Production Assistant, Social & Digital Content NBA **[ Jeramie McPeek](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025/NBA.com?hsLang=en) ** Social Media Consultant NBA #### INSPIRED TO ENTER WORK? Entries to the 9th Hashtag Sports Awards will open in October 2026. Sign up below for announcements, case studies, podcasts, and the prestigious shortlist of nominations. [![GET ALERTS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/834568/interactive-214928231544.png) ](https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJogRibgq9rLL6RcRZwerFA2v%2BFbjC4N5CKOTpRM2IaI3Xi6bE36zd9rpZKYu9jsSuK%2BLw7%2FGY%2BC0Mn%2BgZHbxAZQB0oaqMIO%2BUPQBcMkjQhUCyGQ4re0DQs9rRVYElbAXEZSaTAncZMWOCsrWee22%2BjFlGepB0Q4hKq%2BfEhkvyTuj2mXtT5%2Fv9Vv%2FzIxDU1ywJKPS6alMyw&webInteractiveContentId=214928231544&portalId=834568&hsLang=en) × HASHTAG SPORTS AWARDS VOTE FOR THE BEST IN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT ## Almost there! One more step and you're on the way to casting your votes. SIGN UP TO VOTE