Award-Winning Marketing Specialist for the Rivers Casino is an SAEM Alumnus Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Meet Robby Bell
Job title/employers: Marketing Specialist, Rivers Casino; Owner Three Rivers Gear and Tickets
Degrees earned: B.S. in Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management, Point Park University, 2010, and A.S. in General Studies, Community College of Allegheny County, 2006
College activities: SAEM Club and Republican Club
Scholarships: Point Park Transfer Student Opportunity Grant and Dr. Timothy W. McGuire and Dr. Nancy P. Melone School of Business Dean's Award
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High school: Penn Hills High School
Now living in: Springdale, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins and fantasy sports
Twitter: @rbell412
LinkedIn: Robert Bell
As a marketing specialist for the Rivers Casino, Robby Bell and his team won the 2014 Best Casino Website, the 2013 Best Twitter Feed and the 2013 Third Best Casino Website from Casino Player Magazine. Bell also received the 2014 eBay Power Seller Award.
Update: Robby is now digital marketing and innovation manager for Rush Street Interactive
How did you land a marketing position with the Rivers Casino soon after graduation?
While I was a student at Point Park, I worked part time at the Rivers Casino as a Rush Rewards Players Club representative. Shortly after graduating from Point Park, a job opened up for a marketing position at the Rivers. There were more than 50 applicants for the position but I was one of only two or three candidates with a design background. Another factor that helped me land the job was that my team members at the Rivers recommended me.
Why did you decide to transfer to Point Park to earn a bachelor's degree?
The campus was close to everything including the Penguins and Pirates and had a friendlier atmosphere than the other campuses I visited. I also liked that I was able to go to class and still keep my same work routine. The transfer counselor I talked with at Point Park, Deb Bateman, was very helpful and gave me a clear direction on the credits I needed to graduate. I thought that was great.
What are your key responsibilities as a marketing specialist?
I'm in charge of the Rivers Casino website, its mobile app and all other digital content. In addition, I'm responsible for the signage at the casino as well as printing and ticketing. Over the past year, our web and mobile platforms have generated a high percentage of new growth and we exceeded our goals in both areas. My SAEM classes helped me to build these platforms and reach these goals.
What are some of your favorite memories of the SAEM program?
I really enjoyed Professor Ed Traversari's event management classes and the field trips we took to different venues in Pittsburgh. Also, I liked that the SAEM faculty brought in a variety of guest speakers from different industries into their classes.
Professor Paige Beal's SAEM Marketing and Promotion class was great, too. A lot of what Paige taught me in that class has been very helpful with the web and mobile app presentations I give at work and played a huge role in the presentation I gave to the Rush Street Gaming Team at a marketing summit this past March.
What advice do you have for our SAEM seniors?
Don't expect to be a manager right out of college. Be wiling to work your way up and show how valuable you are before going after the position you really want.
What are your career goals?
I'd like to stay in the digital media field and continue to pursue the great projects and career opportunities the Rivers Casino offers me.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Point Park puts you on a solid career path because you get so much hands-on experience as a student. They set higher standards than other schools when it comes to gaining experience. At Point Park, you're also exposed to the arts more. I look back and joke about it, but I realize some of the classes I took outside of my major really brought me out of my comfort zone and opened me up to different perspectives.