Jessica Campbell is an award-winning marketing and creative director and CEO of PO3 Agency, specializing in brand positioning, cultural storytelling, and innovative social strategy across sports and entertainment.
Her clientele includes Grammy-winning artists, professional and collegiate athletes, major awards, global events, and public figures. She led global PR for the launch of Al Haboob, generating over 1 billion media impressions in 24 hours, and recently directed the strategic repositioning of the John R. Wooden Award, resulting in more than 2 billion impressions in under a week. Jessica also works within the NIL ecosystem, educating student-athletes nationwide on branding and financial strategy. A respected speaker and educator, she has taught at Pepperdine, Vanderbilt, USC, and USF.
She is a Women in Sports & Entertainment Woman to Watch honoree and 40 Under 40 award recipient, and serves on the Advisory Board of More in Music and the Steering Committee of the John R. Wooden Award.
When a Moment on ESPN Sparked a Bigger Vision
Seeing my first graphic appear on ESPN was surreal because I had created it before I fully understood what I wanted my career to be. It started as pure curiosity. I initially wanted to see if I could bring an idea in my head to life. But when it showed up on a global platform, something clicked. It wasn’t just validation; it was proof that storytelling through visuals could reach people at scale.That moment happened during my junior year, right in the middle of COVID, when sports and social media were huge sources of connection and joy for people. Knowing that something I created could be part of that ecosystem, even in a small way, gave me confidence and purpose. It made me realize that design isn’t decoration; it’s storytelling with impact. That’s what pushed me to keep going, testing, trying, and experimenting.
Discovering That Creativity Is the Engine of Business
Originally, I thought traditional business was the only path to success. Switching to Integrated Marketing and Communications opened my eyes to the fact that creativity is not separate from business; it’s actually one of its most powerful drivers.That shift taught me to think about branding as both art and infrastructure. Strategy isn’t just numbers and projections; it’s understanding emotion, narrative, and perception. Today, I approach branding as a living system, where creative storytelling and business logic work together. That mindset is foundational to how I build campaigns and guide clients. Every creative decision has a strategic purpose.
The Discipline and Sacrifice Behind Rapid Growth
There were long stretches where comfort simply wasn’t part of the equation. I chose reinvestment over short-term wins, learning over ego, and discipline over convenience. Growth at that pace isn’t accidental; it comes from being willing to say yes to the work, even when it’s uncomfortable, and holding yourself to a higher standard every day. More importantly, it was a commitment to showing up consistently. Clients trust momentum, and momentum is built through relentless execution. That decision to prioritize the long game is what allowed the agency to scale the way it did. You’ll never be comfortable in a place that’s not meant for you, remember that!
Why Identity Outlives Titles
Titles are temporary; identity is legacy. Your profession can open doors and give credibility, but it’s who you are that sustains influence. People don’t connect with résumés; they connect with values, perspective, and personality. When someone understands who they are beyond their role, their brand becomes multidimensional. It grows with them instead of being confined to one chapter of their life. That clarity creates longevity. It allows athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs to transition, evolve, and stay culturally relevant because their brand is rooted in humanity, not a job description.
Choosing Intention Over Noise in a Digital World
I think of branding like getting dressed: everyone has access to the same pieces, but how you wear them communicates identity. Showing up with intention means knowing what you stand for before you post anything. We focus on positioning first: who you are, who you’re speaking to, and what you want people to feel. When those pillars are clear, content becomes purposeful instead of reactive. Noise chases trends. Intention builds recognition. The goal is to create a presence that feels cohesive and unmistakably you, so people remember the message, not just the moment.
Where Cultural Relevance Meets Authentic Alignment
Cultural relevance starts with listening. Authenticity comes from alignment. We spend a lot of time researching, not just market trends, but communities, behaviours, and conversations. Understanding the consumer’s world allows us to speak their language without forcing it. At the same time, authenticity requires staying true to the brand’s core identity. It has to be a mix of both. The balance is achieved when storytelling feels like a natural extension of who the brand is, not an attempt to chase culture. When those two elements align, campaigns resonate because they feel both timely and real.
We always think in terms of us, our clients, and their clients. In other words, who is consuming the content we are creating for our client? How do we build a world around them that fits into theirs?
The Confidence Emerging Creatives Must Develop Early
Don’t fake it until you make it; own it from the beginning. Especially in the creative industries, confidence is key. If you’re selling an idea and you don’t believe in it yourself, why would anyone trust you to execute it? Confidence also allows you to navigate networking, create authentic relationships, and add value to every room you’re in.
Leading With Presence as a Woman of Rubies
To me, being a Woman of Rubies means being deeply aware of the power of presence. It’s not about competing; it’s about expanding what leadership looks like.I lead with clarity, empathy, and conviction. That combination allows me to create environments where ideas are valued and people feel seen. My identity influences my work by reminding me that representation matters. Every room I enter is an opportunity to widen the narrative of who belongs there.
The Women Who Built My Foundation
The women who have shaped me most are the women in my family: my mom, my aunt, and my grandma. They built my foundation long before I understood what ambition or career even meant. From them, I learned resilience, not as a reaction to hardship, but as a way of moving through life with optimism and determination. They raised me to believe that limits are often imagined, that “no” is rarely final, and that every setback is simply another path opening.Watching them navigate life with strength, humor, and grace taught me that success isn’t just about achievement; it’s about character, work ethic, love, happiness, gratitude, and how you show up for others. Those lessons guide every decision I make. Whether I’m leading a team, building a campaign, or mentoring someone younger, I carry their belief in possibility with me. It’s the reason I approach both life and business with confidence, gratitude, and the expectation that growth is always within reach.
Building a Legacy Rooted in Possibility
I want my legacy to be rooted in possibility. Through PO3, the goal isn’t just successful campaigns; it’s creating work that inspires people to believe in themselves and see their stories as valuable. If the agency contributes to a culture where creativity feels accessible and ambition feels encouraged, that’s meaningful impact.Ultimately, I want to leave the world more energized, more optimistic, and more confident than I found it. Storytelling has the power to shift perspective, and perspective changes lives.
How Childhood Shaped My Approach to Creativity and Risk
Absolutely. I grew up in an environment where imagination was encouraged, and “no” was never treated as a dead end; it was an invitation to try another route.That mindset removed the fear of failure early on. I was taught that mistakes are part of exploration, not proof of limitation. Carrying that perspective into adulthood shaped how I approach risk, creativity, and entrepreneurship.It allowed me to think expansively and to see opportunities instead of obstacles. This foundation continues to guide every decision I make.
