Point Park Graduate Lands Marketing Role With the Pittsburgh Steelers Alumni Profile
Meet Payton Comunale '21
- Job Title & Employer
- Marketing Campaign Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Major/Program
- Multimedia
- Minor
- College Activities
- The Globe and U-View
- Hometown
- Monroeville, Pa.
- High School
- Gateway Senior High School
- Hobbies & Interests
- Dancing, writing, my three mini Dachshunds, baking, project management and photography
"I wanted a smaller school so I could have easy access to my professors, who were still working in the industry. I knew these connections would be instrumental to my future success."
Why did you choose Point Park University’s School of Communication?
I chose Point Park's School of Communication on a whim. I had planned to attend a neighboring school in Pittsburgh until I randomly saw a friend post about her time at Point Park. After that, something about it drew me in.
I started researching Point Park and really liked that the class sizes were small and that it offered a big-city vibe. Everything I read about the School of Communication's undergraduate programs was overwhelmingly positive and I knew I would be exposed to opportunities in the city. I wanted a smaller school so I could have easy access to my professors, who were still working in the industry. I knew these connections would be instrumental to my future success.
Which faculty members and courses had a significant impact on you?
I always talk about this in my current role because it's so interesting. In my job, I work with all kinds of media (web, radio, print and social media). I'm responsible for developing strategy, tailoring copy and creative and shaping brand voice to these specific mediums in an omnichannel approach.
The courses at Point Park that helped me most with this were the ones not directly related to marketing. It was instead the radio writing class, the website development class, the behind-the-camera class and the journalism writing classes. I remember so much from those professors who were also working in the industry or had worked there and did not just teach from a textbook.
I also have to shout out Jenna Lo Castro — what a rockstar of a teacher and person. Her dynamic and — for lack of a better term — FUN approach to teaching public relations really ignited my interest in the PR/advertising route, which led me to where I am today.
Briefly describe your career path and what you love about your current role.
In my junior year of college, I wanted to land my first internship. My resume spoke to my experience in writing, producing television and managing social media accounts.
I thought working in sports could be rewarding and I eventually got my hands on the email address of the Pittsburgh Steelers' internship program coordinator. A few interviews later, I was a part-time marketing intern for the team. From there, I worked my way up, proving day after day that I was an asset to the team. Eventually, I landed a full-time internship, and later, a full-time role.
There's a lot to love when you're working in sports in your hometown — especially in a hometown whose identity is football! The amount of appreciation consumers show me as a staff member is probably unmatched almost anywhere.
As a campaign manager, I love seeing a project grow from start to finish alongside my teammates. At the start, I'm gathering different stakeholders, getting answers and developing a strategy. Toward the middle, I'm working with different departments to develop collateral and voice. And in the end, I'm seeing a project come to life through hosting an event, rewarding fans with a unique prize or generally expanding market reach.
What projects did you work on to support the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, and what did you enjoy most about the experience?
I had such a special job during this year's NFL Draft in Pittsburgh as the coordinator of our Inner Circle.
All 32 teams have an Inner Circle of 15 super fans, brought in from around the world to cheer on their teams while they're on the clock and making picks. I was right below the center stage for two days and it was probably one of the most unique experiences I'll ever have!
Beyond the physical fan activation, I helped strategize, produce and execute omnichannel marketing campaigns to accomplish a number of objectives: increase NFL registrations from fans around the world, encourage attendance at our team activation (Steelers Country) at Point State Park and generate entries in our win-a-trip sweepstakes (Draft Day VIP Sweeps), allowing a lucky fan to be part of our Inner Circle.
I most enjoyed the appreciation and celebration I witnessed from our Inner Circle members and from Steelers fans far and wide. It was one of those defining moments in my career that reminded me there's a real purpose behind the work I do.
What advice do you have for a prospective student considering Point Park?
I truly believe that if a prospective student has done the research and determines their interests and goals align with what Point Park is able to provide — whether that's a smaller class size, one-on-one relationships with professors, real-life opportunities at every corner — then they will be very happy with their decision in choosing Point Park. In my 3.5 years there, they provided me with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to turn my degree into a happy career that I wake up and am proud of every day.