Long before she was traveling the world as senior director of business development and operations at CNN Sports in Atlanta, Amy Jordan was a University of South Carolina Honors College student sending news releases around the world as a press intern for the late U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings.
“Working for Sen. Hollings through the Washington Semester Program gave me experience that not many people entering the workforce get,” the journalism alumna from Spartanburg says. “It gave me a competitive edge so I could end up in a place like CNN.”
That internship, in fact, led to a job offer with Hollings’ Columbia office, which led to placement with a political consulting firm before Jordan had even graduated from USC.
Amy Jordan on the CNN set at the Paris Olympics
After a series of producer jobs that included a position with regional advertising giant Chernoff Silver (now Chernoff Newman), Jordan began working as a production manager for the CNN Documentary Unit in 2001. A highlight included launching the Dr. Drew show.
Over the next few years, she transitioned to CNN International, where she led a multi-year capital project to upgrade the network to a high-definition broadcast signal and build a new newsroom.
Jordan continued her ascension at CNN as director of production for CNN Sports in Atlanta. There, she developed sponsored content to grow sports revenue. She began her current position as senior director, CNN Sports, in 2017. She says the progression felt natural.
“It happened organically,” she says. “My current role is the most dynamic, rewarding and interesting role so far.”
In recent years, Jordan has covered four different Olympic games, numerous Super Bowls, the U.S. Open and more. She dispatches her team all over the globe to capture the most coveted sports events.
Chauffeuring Flavor Flav in Paris
“What I’ve enjoyed the most has been the Olympics coverage,” she says. “It is an honor and privilege to get to attend events that people typically only experience from afar. I planned our coverage in Rio, Pyeongchang, Tokyo and Paris. It doesn’t ever get old. Every event is a new city with new athletes, new energy and new storylines.”
This year’s coverage of the Olympics in Paris was especially memorable for Jordan. CNN Sports shared a broadcast location with its sister company Eurosport. The studio had a 360-degree view of the city.
More than 210 Olympic medalists came through the studio, arriving by elevator. As soon as the doors opened, the studio would erupt in clapping and cheers as the athletes walked off the elevator.
“It was a really special experience to meet athletes and their families,” Jordan says. “The athletes were so gracious, and their families were ecstatic to be there.”
It’s difficult to predict what “other duties” Jordan’s leadership role might encompass on any given day. Once during the Olympics, she found herself temporarily serving as a personal driver for the famous rapper Flavor Flav, who has become the enthusiastic if unlikely sponsor of the USA Women’s and Men’s Water Polo teams. The lively promoter even donned a water polo cap to provide training assistance in the pool.
Jordan described Favor Flav as outgoing and talkative. “He was just so nice and happy to be there,” she says. “He even created a special rap for CNN!”
It was certainly an assignment for the ages.
“The Paris Olympics was so well done. The city really turned out,” she says. “It was such an impressive games.”
All in the family
Jordan’s experience at USC Honors College helped shape her professional drive and leadership style.
“I really enjoyed it because it was very practical,” she says. Reflecting on the skills she excels at most today, Jordan responds that she’s effective at making things happen. “I can take a higher-level view of the situation and try to figure out how to solve it.”
She hopes to pass along the Honors College baton to son Gray, a high school senior who plans to apply this year. In a conversation about his new AP-level courses, he recognized the rigor and embraced it.
“He said, ‘You know, it’s easier because I am more interested, and the teachers are better.’ I said, ‘That is how the Honors College is at USC. The teachers and engagement with other students make it a richer experience.’ That really appealed to him,” she recalls. “He’s working on his essays over the weekend. It’s a lot more competitive than when I was there. USC is his No. 1 choice. We did the Honors College tour, and he was awestruck!”
In her spare time, Jordan enjoys playing tennis and consuming science fiction in all its forms. “I play tennis because I am not very good at it, and it pushes me out of my comfort zone,” she says.
If asked, Jordan would tell USC students and new graduates to hold their heads high and embrace challenges, including the failures that sometimes occur in between the victories.
“Believe in yourself. You are smarter and more experienced than you realize. Be confident as you enter the world. You can do hard things. Failure is an occasional part of success.”