AdPurp Profiles: Yalissa C on Balancing NFL Cheerleading For the Rams With Life at a Fast Paced Marketing Agency

Listen, folks, I’m not going to lie to you. This is probably the most giddy I’ve been for an AdPurp Profile, which we’ve done every few weeks for the last year and a half.

Why, you ask?

Well, as a LA Rams season ticket holder and self-proclaimed superfan, interviewing Yalissa, who has been a Rams cheerleader for the past two years, gets me utterly stoked. Let’s just say, I’m trying not to let my fanhood seep into this article.

That said, it probably already has. So we should move on from that and instead focus on the fact that just this week, Yalissa was promoted to a more senior role on the account management team.

Perfect timing for a profile, I think. Don’t you?

So, anyway, let’s dig in.

Q: What’s your background? Where are you from and what was it like growing up there?

A: I’m a first-generation American (half Colombian, half Peruvian) and grew up in a city called Downey located in Southern California! I attended high school in Fullerton, CA and love both cities. I also did undergrad at Chapman University. I consider myself an LA/OC resident since I’ve spent most of my childhood in those two cities – I have the fondest memories there.

Besides  working in the digital media and affiliate marketing space, I’ve been dancing for over 20 years and consider it one of my true passions.

Q: When did you develop a love for cheer and dance?

A: I started dancing when I was three years old but funny enough, I didn’t truly enjoy it until years later. My love for dance developed once I started attending a competitive dance studio in Fullerton, CA named The Dance Spot and joined my first competitive dance team in high school. I had been competing since I was 8 but it wasn’t until I was 13/14 and was surrounded by such talented and hard-working dancers that my love for dance started to unravel.

Q: How did you know it was something you were really good at?

A: At a young age, I received praise from instructors and knew this was something more than a hobby. I never considered myself the “best” dancer since there was so much talent, especially in Southern California, but by the time I reached my teenage years and made the elite dance group at my studio and varsity dance at my high school, that truly affirmed everything.

Q: How did you end up at Advertise Purple?

A: Funny enough, I previously worked as a public relations and events coordinator right before starting at Advertise Purple. At the time, I was beginning to dive deeper into data analytics and marketing and started realizing that this was something I was interested in. I found out about an opportunity to work at Advertise Purple a little over a year ago and started looking more into affiliate marketing – the more I learned, the more I wanted to be a part of this industry and this company.

Q: What’s it been like learning about affiliate marketing and working at an agency like AP?

A: Amazing, to say the least! I’ve been interested in the affiliate space for a while now and was excited to be working at Advertise Purple. Not only am I learning so much about affiliate marketing but I get to be surrounded by hard-working and driven people that motivate me to be a better version of myself. I absolutely love the people here and the work we’re doing!

Q: Can you walk us through the experience of trying out with the Rams? What has it been like working for the organization?

A: Of course! Usually, our audition process lasts around two weeks, if you become a finalist, but because of COVID-19, we had to make a few adjustments this year. There’s a prelims round which if you make it through, you become a finalist and go to the next round. Although we were hit with COVID this year, the organization did a fantastic job going virtual for the audition process and accommodating everyone that participated.

When you’re a finalist, you learn an additional 2-3 dances and interview with the Director and VP of Community Affairs in-between. Once the 2 weeks pass, there’s a final audition, where you introduce yourself and perform all the routines in front of a panel of judges. This year, we saw an outstanding number of participants since auditions were held virtually. Overall, The audition process might sound scary but was a great experience both years for me!

Q: How has it been balancing the two? Working in two competitive industries, marketing and cheer?

A: Balancing both Advertise Purple and the Rams has been great so far. At Advertise Purple, I work as a full-time employee and make sure I work all my hours that are required from me. Luckily, the Rams understand I am a full-time employee and I have many other teammates that also work full-time! We perform at home games on Sunday, have rehearsals on weeknights and schedule appearances within our personal schedules so I have almost never had any conflict. If a conflict does occur, I communicate this immediately but have so far been lucky!

Both are very accommodating and obviously I have had to develop and perfect my time management and organizational skills but all-in-all, it’s been a very even balance.

Q: What do you do with the (probably very limited) free time you have?

A: I’m a very social and outgoing person! Obviously with everything going on, I’m more careful of what I do but I love being outdoors (going on a hike, the beach) and FaceTime/ calling friends! I’ve recently gotten into backing and meditating which I’ve really enjoyed doing in my free time. I also LOVE watching Netflix and would love some recommendations – I’m currently binging Schitt’s Creek!

Q: How has it been processing things and powering through even with COVID-19 and this crazy year?

A: For me, a big thing that has helped me get through this year is my family and friends. Having that support means the absolute world to me and I honestly couldn’t have done it without them.

Q: What’s some advice you’d give someone interested in affiliate marketing?

A: My advice would be to ask questions, reach out to your network and start doing your research! Affiliate marketing is growing more and more everyday so the sooner you get your foot in the door, the better!

Q: What’s the most challenging thing about your role?

A: I mentioned this earlier but organization was definitely challenging at first but you eventually find your rhythm. I started noting everything down in my calendar, from meetings to dinners, and started keeping track of all my “To-Do’s” in an app called Trello! That along with many other things has helped me with my organizational skills.

Q: Okay, serious question now to wrap this up… Rams going to the Super Bowl for Kobe?

A: Of course! #TeamLA

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Thanks so much, Yalissa!