CORVALLIS — In one of Russell Houghtaling's hands is a virtual reality mask. In the other, a drone.
The first item is designed to take potential walk-ons rowers inside a boat with the Oregon State's team. The second will capture aerial shots of the Beavers' upcoming football poster photo shoot.
Welcome to a day in the life of OSU's ideation team, a new branch of the athletic department that essentially serves as an in-house creative ad agency with the goal of telling the Beavers' story to fans, recruits and outsiders.
"We want to change the perception of Oregon State University on the West Coast and nationally," said Houghtaling, who was hired as the associate athletic director for ideation in January.