By: Caitlin Nelson
Posted In: Sports
Photo credit: Caitlin Nelson
Kat Anderson, Marketing and Public Relations Manager of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.
Kat Anderson may just have the dream job of all tennis fans. Anderson has worked at the International Tennis Hall of Fame for six years. Being a tennis player herself, Anderson is around tennis all day; she even gets chances to meet some pros, like Serena Williams, (who ranked #1 tennis player in the world in 2002).
Surrounded by 13 grass tennis courts, a Real Tennis Court, an inside tennis court, the Bill Talbert Stadium, and the Museum, Anderson is fully occupied on a days work as a Marketing and Public Relations Manager. Anderson gets an inside peak of what really goes on inside the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She helps put events together, travels for promotions, and gets to work for what she loves best. “I have a lot of fun here,” as we sit in part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame museum, surrounded by original tennis rackets and tons of pictures from famous former Tennis Athletes. JOB AND DESCRIPTION: “Marketing and Public Relations Manager. I basically am in charge of site and property advertising, media, direct layout advertising, public relations, (all the public information goes through me), and I write the press releases. I also helped put together the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.” The 50th Anniversary celebrated the honoring of the Legends of Tennis. It was a formal black tie event held at one of Newport’s gilded aged mansions, The Breakers. LENGTH OF JOB: “I have worked here for 6 years and enjoy it very much so. It’s a great place to work and I love being around tennis.” TYPICAL VISITOR AT THE HALL OF FAME? “Sports enthusiasts, mostly fans of tennis. We get a mixture of people. Most people don’t even know we are here until they visit Newport and drive down Bellevue.” HOW MANY VISIT A YEAR? “Over 100,000, easily.” BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR: “July is usually the biggest time because of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships Qualifying Tournament.” The tournament involves two days of thirty-two singles draw; the only grass court ATP Tournament in North America. CAMPBELL’S SPONSORSHIP: “Campbell is a sponsor for the International Hall of Fame; they sponsor Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships for top men in professional tennis, a week long tournament in July.” ADVERTISEMENTS: “The advertisements are mostly tourist publication of Newport, R.I. Also, other tennis magazines, sporting magazines, most travel magazines, AAA Tour Books, anything to bring in people to Newport.” ARE YOU A TENNIS PLAYER YOURSELF? “Yes. I have played tennis since about 10 years old.” CO-WORKERS ALSO TENNIS PLAYERS? “I would say half of the staff play tennis on a socially to serious level.” TRAVEL ON THE JOB? “I travel somewhat. I’ve been to Texas for work, Florida next month, and I attend the US opens. When I go, I go to promote the International Tennis Hall of Fame. So, I have to think about more than promoting. The Hall of Fame is a museum, a Hall of Fame, a work site, a place where tennis is played, special events are held, like the Jazz Festival in August, tournaments, and also our retail tennis store and the gift shop. The Hall of Fame is also and Active Hall; tennis is still played here today.”
