SHOUTOUT COLORADO: Meet Allison Gappa | Marketing Director

PUBLISHED ON SHOUTOUT COLORADO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Gappa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe there is art and creativity in every career. While I was a sports broadcaster for FOX Sports, I expressed my creativity through storytelling and my craft became an art. As a marketer, I can find art and bring out immense creativity in every phase and facet of marketing, branding and media. I embrace the opportunity to collaborate with other artists and professionals and enjoy the creative process of making something great.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started when I was in college when I got hired as a sports reporter for a local station in Oklahoma City my junior year after interning in the sports department. A college athlete and compelling storyteller, sports broadcasting was a natural fit. As a senior in college, I had the opportunity to intern in the broadcasting department for the Oklahoma City Thunder and was later hired by the team as a production assistant. When I graduated, I started working for SoonerVision, the University of Oklahoma’s multi-platform network on FOX Sports Oklahoma and FOX Sports Southwest as a host, feature reporter, producer and sideline reporter. In the summer, I was the in-game host for the Oklahoma City Redhawks, Triple-A affiliate for the Houston Astros. After working for SoonerVision for two years, I accepted a position as the first full-time, in-house sports reporter for Oklahoma State University on FOX Sports Oklahoma and FOX Sports Southwest. I was a feature reporter, sideline reporter, producer and editor for all coaches shows, live in-game host, and sports broadcaster for all sports at OSU. In addition to my full-time job as a sports broadcaster for OSU, I freelanced for CBS Sports as a sideline reporter and as the pre-game host for OSU football games on local television.

After working for FOX Sports Oklahoma and FOX Sports Southwest as Oklahoma State’s sports broadcaster, I transitioned into marketing. As much as I love sports broadcasting, I have an equal passion for marketing and branding for professionals and businesses. I founded ALLYEXIA, a marketing and branding agency with an array of clients in different industries. I had numerous clients in the real estate industry, where ALLYEXIA’s branding, marketing and media expertise greatly benefited their overall brand and production. I developed a niche in real estate marketing due to that success and was offered a position as the National Marketing Director for VIP Real Estate, a luxury, boutique real estate brokerage in Denver, Colorado. I was excited about the opportunity and accepted the position. I thoroughly enjoy working for VIP Real Estate and love living in the Mile High City.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver has so much to offer! I love going to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre whether it’s for a concert, hiking in the snow or running the stadium during the summer. As a sports girl, you can’t beat a summer night at Coors Field watching the Colorado Rockies play ball with friends or catching a Denver Broncos game. I love checking out new art exhibits at the Denver Art Museum or other art galleries or exhibits like Meow Wolf or the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Denver. I love going to the Denver Botanical Garden in the winter! There are so many cool places to check out in Denver’s RiNo District including The Beacon, an artist-created dance bar, great for a Friday night date. 16th Street Mall is a fun place to take friends or family from out-of-state to experience plus the shopping and restaurants are great. LoDo is another cool district to check out with trendy clubs, restaurants and art galleries with Coors Field, the Pepsi Center and Denver Union Station all nearby. Cherry Creek is an amazing district for high-end shopping at local boutiques, great restaurants, casual cafes and chic cocktail lounges. I love the Clayton Members Club & Hotel, open to locals, members and hotel guests for a quick bite or crafted cocktail, and if you’re looking for a hotel to stay in, the Clayton is remarkable. There are too many places to eat at to list but I love going to Root Down with friends or brunch at Snooze or Denver Biscuit Company.

Also, it’s definitely worth heading west to the mountains to awe at the beautiful Mountains, nature, and wildlife in Colorado.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story has a lot of chapters, thus I have had many mentors throughout my life. From an early age, my mother encouraged me to chase my dreams and I’m blessed for her continued love and support. In middle school, Ms. Dowling would sit after class and answer all of my writing and grammar questions starting a fire for my love of writing. In college, one of my professors, Andy Gibson, went out of his way to teach and guide me to a successful career as a sports broadcaster for FOX Sports and CBS Sports. In sports broadcasting, Brandon Meier not only gave me my break into television on FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports Oklahoma but he mentored me with advice early in my career and to this day. As Oklahoma State University’s first full-time in-house sports reporter for FOX Sports, Coach Gundy, Coach Glass and Coach Littell were encouraging mentors in my career. Jarvis Johnson, player development for the Green Bay Packers, is a supportive business mentor. Currently in Denver, Colorado as the National Marketing Director for VIP Real Estate, I’m thankful for the efforts of VIP Real Estate’s founder and president, Brian Furer.