Meet Adam Hammer
Adam Hammer is University Relation’s new Creative Services Director who will lead a team of designers, writers, videographers and photographers to tell the University of Minnesota’s story. Adam has over 20 years of experience in creative storytelling as a designer, videographer and an award-winning writer, columnist, photographer and journalist, as well as a leader in higher education marketing and communications in the Minnesota State system. He's strategic, creative and a great collaborator.
Outside of work, Adam is an accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriter, and also enjoys working and volunteering in theater and other creative outlets. He and his wife Tanya have six children and also enjoy being active outdoors and spending plenty of time on the lakes in Alexandria where Adam lives and works remotely.
Q & A with Adam
As UR common good services expands, we wanted to learn more about its new Creative Services Director, so we talked with Adam about his new role.
Q: What’s your leadership style?
A: I’m a participative leader that regular engages the team to find the best solutions and ideas. I’m always available to meet to discuss drafts of work or help troubleshoot creative issues. I like to meet regularly as a Creative Services team and one-on-one to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. I also serve as the team’s “editor” to make final decisions and keep projects moving forward.
Q: How did your career lead you where you are today?
A: I have had many jobs throughout my career prior to marketing, starting with picking berries, working in restaurant kitchens and construction growing up in rural Minnesota. After several years of building grain elevators and steel buildings, and a summer tending block for a mason, I decided it was time to re-explore my creative passions as a lifelong artist, musician and creative person. While getting my associate’s degree at M-State - Fergus Falls, I got involved in the student newspaper which led me to a part-time job at the Fergus Falls Daily Journal as a sports stringer, and from there everything clicked: I would use my creativity to have a career in storytelling.
I finished my bachelor’s in Mass Communications at St. Cloud State University and followed my time at the Daily Journal with stints at the Albert Lea Tribune and the St. Cloud Times winning awards for writing, photography and online production. In 2012, I was hired as Director of Media Relations and Publications at St. Cloud State University and in 2016 transitioned to Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. During my time at St. Cloud State, I transitioned their marketing and communications to be goal-oriented and data-driven, and led a rebranding among other efforts. After St. Cloud State, I landed at Alexandria Technical & Community College in 2021 as their Director of Marketing and Communications where I led their rebranding implementation and increased engagements and applications as a direct result of marketing and communication efforts. I was proud to become a member of the University of Minnesota team in March 2023 as Creative Services Director where I am excited to take what I have learned and experienced over many years to lead the team, and also continue to learn from my new team and collaborators.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not entrenched in creative storytelling and leading design teams?
A: I come from a very musical family and singing songs around the campfire, kitchen or anywhere else was always how our family get-togethers ended growing up. I started playing guitar when I was 12 and have maintained a career in music since the 1990s. I toured in bands in the 1990s and early 2000s, and have since remained focused on my solo work and songwriting. I have had the great privilege of working with some incredible musicians (Tommy Vee, Jeff Vee, Kurt Rodman, Bennett Vee, Jeff Engholm, George Maurer and my wife Tanya to name a few) to release an album and 2012 and subsequent EPs and singles. I continue to write, record and perform throughout Minnesota, and enjoy theater both as an actor and music director.