California Golden Bears Athletics
Photo by: Cal Athletics
10/22/2026 12:21 PM | Athletics News
Insight Into Academia Magazine Issues Honor For Formation Of Strawberry Creek Studios
BERKELEY – Cal Athletics has received the Excellence in Innovation Award for College Athletics by Insight Into Academia magazine for the creation of Strawberry Creek Studios – the department's new external relations model focused on revenue generation and authentic storytelling.
Insight Into Academia, which recognizes best practices in higher education, added a College Athletics category to its annual innovation awards this year that focuses on universities that are shaping the future through forward-thinking programs and initiatives.
Strawberry Creek Studios, which is made up of Cal Athletics staff, brings together digital ecosystems, broadcast and media, strategic and creative communications, content creation and gameday entertainment into a unified operation. The model was created as part of Cal Athletics' quest to modernize the department and position itself for success in the new and evolving environment of intercollegiate athletics.
"The creation of Strawberry Creek Studios reflects our commitment to adapting, innovating and positioning Cal Athletics for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics," Cal Co-Directors of Athletics Jenny Simon-O'Neill and Jay Larson said. "By bringing together talented professionals across these areas, we have built a collaborative external relations model that allows us to authentically tell the stories of our student-athletes, elevate our brand and connect with our fans and supporters in meaningful ways. We are already seeing tangible benefits, and are excited to continue to explore unique ways of engaging with our Cal community."
Strawberry Creek Studios connects storytelling more directly with recruiting and retention, ticket sales, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and brand advancement. Created following the reimagining of Cal Athletics' external relations units last year, the model is designed to use authentic storytelling to generate interest, converting that interest into attendance and engagement, and delivering an in-venue experience that encourages long-term loyalty.
Insight Into Academia, which recognizes best practices in higher education, added a College Athletics category to its annual innovation awards this year that focuses on universities that are shaping the future through forward-thinking programs and initiatives.
Strawberry Creek Studios, which is made up of Cal Athletics staff, brings together digital ecosystems, broadcast and media, strategic and creative communications, content creation and gameday entertainment into a unified operation. The model was created as part of Cal Athletics' quest to modernize the department and position itself for success in the new and evolving environment of intercollegiate athletics.
"The creation of Strawberry Creek Studios reflects our commitment to adapting, innovating and positioning Cal Athletics for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics," Cal Co-Directors of Athletics Jenny Simon-O'Neill and Jay Larson said. "By bringing together talented professionals across these areas, we have built a collaborative external relations model that allows us to authentically tell the stories of our student-athletes, elevate our brand and connect with our fans and supporters in meaningful ways. We are already seeing tangible benefits, and are excited to continue to explore unique ways of engaging with our Cal community."
Strawberry Creek Studios connects storytelling more directly with recruiting and retention, ticket sales, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and brand advancement. Created following the reimagining of Cal Athletics' external relations units last year, the model is designed to use authentic storytelling to generate interest, converting that interest into attendance and engagement, and delivering an in-venue experience that encourages long-term loyalty.
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