Not Just Another Corporate Girlie

I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 2022 at Baylor University, studying Journalism with a focus in Advertising as well as an English minor. There I learned how to utilize my skills in writing, editing, and content creation & strategy all while pursuing my independent music career. Throughout college, I wrote as the Arts & Life Writer for the Baylor Lariat and also for Early Rising — an online community that supported new and upcoming music artists. I made many connections in music this way which was a super influential part of my love for the music industry. In addition, I worked through multiple internships within the social/digital media world where I learned how to navigate connections with consumers through online platforms.

I continued my professional experience with Inspire Brands where I was on the social team for SONIC Drive-In — creating organic content, keeping up with community management, and consistently reporting on performance. I transitioned to the Brand Activations team at Jimmy John’s at the beginning of 2024 where I got to assist with creative campaigns through each phase of execution. I spearheaded the influencer outreach and fulfillment of PR packages while also creating the organic content for all activations. This role allowed me to find my true sweet-spot and my love for seeing campaigns through from beginning to end.

Creating and strategizing best practices is where I thrive. I also have a passion for writing whether it’s copy for a social post, a blog, email campaigns, etc. I think my creativity and outside-the-box ideas are what make me stand out amongst a team. I’m not afraid to go against the grain and encourage something that has not been done before. My main goal I want to achieve in my work is to create an environment for the consumer where they feel truly connected to the brand, and I love coming up with new concepts to achieve that.

Although I loved my time with Inspire, I found that I was still craving something more. As an independent music artist, this past summer I was given the opportunity to audition for The Voice. I knew this was the time to make the jump and take a break from corporate life to enjoy such a unique experience while also reevaluating what my goals are for my career, both personally and professionally.

As I now look to make my next move, I am eager to incorporate my past experience in brand activations, creative strategy, etc. and combine it with my passion for the music industry. Hoping to step into this new phase of life and work with an agency, label, etc. If you or anyone you know would be willing to chat with me more about this, please connect with me and message me over on LinkedIn!

Jimmy John’s Campaigns

Below are two of my favorite campaigns I got to be a part of during my time as the Brand Activations Specialist at Jimmy John’s.

Personal Brand and Content Creation

Since 2019, I have been creating content on TikTok for my personal brand. TikTok has been a huge help in growing my following and listeners from around the world. With almost 150k followers on the platform, I have learned how to accommodate trends across brands whether it be for my own account or brand accounts.

@ToriTemplet on TIKTOK

Jimmy John’s Internship

During the summer of 2022, I was the Social Media Creative Intern at Jimmy John’s. It was the most transformative experience I’ve ever had working at a company. From launching LTO Summer Wraps, to introducing large bags of Jimmy Chips in Walmart stores, to staying on trend while experimenting with new ideas, I learned more than I could ever have imagined. And because of this experience,

I’ve found that creating content is a little bit of scheduling with a whole lot of spontaneity. Learning the ins and outs of macro & micro trends really allowed me to keep up with relevant content on Instagram and TikTok, reminding myself that a trend can fall off in an instant. There are many variables to content creation and strategy, but when they all come together, a company can be so successful through social media.

Below is a more in-depth overview of my time spent at JJ’s including my best-performing posts and content I created.

OVERVIEW

Writing

Like I said, I’m passionate about writing. During my fall semester of my senior year, I got the opportunity to be the Arts & Life Writer at Baylor University’s student-run newspaper, the Baylor Lariat. Below is a link to all my stories I wrote on activities around the campus as well as the surrounding Waco Area.

I also was in a poetry writing class in my last semester at Baylor where I got to create a portfolio at the end of the semester of all my work. It is something I’m extremely proud of and the concept has grown into something that I want to hopefully publish in the future.

Additionally, I have just launched my very own online publication, ListenSmall, where creatives receive the recognition they deserve. I highlight creatives that have grit and passion and are willing to share their own story to inspire others to chase their dreams.

Studies

While at Baylor studying for my Journalism degree, I took a Journalism Law & Ethics class. Throughout this class, we learned the best practices for both the legal and ethical sides of journalism. During the semester, we had to write two papers, one as a legal study and the other as an ethical study. I chose influencer marketing for both essays.

Influencer marketing has become one of the biggest budgets for a company’s marketing/advertising team. Even since I wrote these studies, the influencer world has drastically changed. As someone who is constantly scrolling, I always felt curious about the legal and ethical standards that both the brand and the influencer have to incorporate in order for it to be a solid and sound strategy. These two essays comprehensively analyze the details of just that.