2025 Capstone Intern

THE INTERNSHIP / 2025 Capstone Project 

Octagon’s Summer Capstone Internship Program is a unique, three-week immersive experience designed for aspiring professionals interested in sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing. Interns will be split into teams and tasked with developing a full strategic and experiential pitch for a new category of interest on behalf of Octagon. Throughout the program, participants will gain hands-on experience, collaborate with Octagon employees, and receive mentorship from industry experts. 

Interns will engage in introductory sessions covering Octagon’s various specialty areas, participate in skill-building workshops, and work closely with cross-functional teams to prepare for their final presentation. At the conclusion of the program, each team will pitch their project to Octagon’s executive board, providing interns with real-world experience in client presentations and strategic storytelling. 

Interns will walk away with a deep understanding of Octagon’s structure, exposure to industry best practices, and a portfolio of work showcasing their skills and creativity. Members of the winning intern team will receive extended mentorship with Octagon employees in their area of interest, further developing their professional network and career trajectory. 

Dates: June 9-27 

Hours: 9am - 5pm ET   

Requirements: 

• Availability: Must be available for the internship dates and times   

• Team Player: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. 

• Detail-Oriented: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Professionalism: Comfortable interacting with high-level employees and maintaining a professional demeanor. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously 

• Excellent communication skills – the ability to articulate ideas clearly verbally, in writing and during presentations 

• Personality traits: confident, engaging, enthusiastic and articulate 

• Desire to learn and develop a career in event marketing with the capacity to become knowledgeable about our industry, capabilities and offerings 

• An analytical mindset – capacity to research, analyze data and draw insights to inform strategic decisions 

• Strong ability to work as part of a team, demonstrate initiative and solve problems by contributing ideas and supporting others to achieve shared goals 

THE WORK YOU’LL DO 

• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with colleagues from our specialty areas (experiences, creative, sponsorship strategy, digital strategy) to develop a comprehensive strategic and experiential pitch. 

• Research and Analyze Industry Trends: Conduct research on the latest trends in sports, entertainment and sponsorship relevant to the brand/client your team chooses. 

• Develop Strategic Marketing Plans: Help create a detailed marketing strategy, including target audience analysis, messaging, and channel recommendations to support your team’s pitch.  

• Assist in Creative Ideation: Contribute ideas to the creative process, including brainstorming campaigns, experiences, and activations that will resonate with your recommended target audience. 

• Participate in Skill-Building Workshops: Engage in training sessions designed to help develop your networking, presentation interviewing and resume writing skills. 

• Client Presentation Experience: Collaborate with your intern team to refine and rehearse your pitch for Octagon’s executives, ensuring clear storytelling, strong visuals, and research backed strategy. 

• Network with Industry Professionals: Build connections with Octagon employees, fellow interns, and other professionals, expanding your network for future opportunities. 

• Contribute to Team’s Success: Support your team by taking ownership of specific aspects of the project, whether that’s research, creative direction, or refining your team’s strategy based on feedback. 

• Track and Report Progress: Regularly update your team and mentors on the status of your contributions, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines are adhered to. 
• Learn Octagon's Structure and Workflows: Gain a deep understanding of how a leading sports marketing agency operates, including the internal structure and case studies of our most successful campaigns. 

THE BIGGER TEAM YOU’LL JOIN 

Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports”, Octagon is the global sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing arm of the Interpublic Group. 

We take pride in being Playmakers – finding insightful, bold ways to create play in our work, our lives, and in the world. We believe in the power of play to create big ideas and unlock potential for our clients and talent. 

We can put ourselves in the shoes of fans because we ARE fans – of sports, entertainment, and culture at large. This expertise allows us to continually evolve the fan experience across sports and entertainment alongside some of the biggest brands and talent in the world. 

The world needs play more than ever. Are you a Playmaker? 

Octagon is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.