The Gamecocks added some new hardware to the trophy case this past weekend. Justin King, the Gamecocks' Senior Associate Athletics Director for Football Creative and Branding, announced on social media that he and his award-winning creative team won three Southeast Regional Emmy Awards. The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) held its 2025 awards gala this past weekend in Atlanta, GA, honoring excellence across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and parts of North Carolina.
King took to social media after the ceremony, saying the wins felt more like confirmation that the creative vision for the Gamecocks was on the right track. And it is certainly a trophy case to be proud of.
This weekend, we brought home 3 Emmy Awards.
— Justin King (@JustinKing) June 16, 2025
I’m fired up about it, but to be honest, it’s less because of the validation and more because of the confirmation.
Confirmation that I’m surrounded by a talented, hard-working and (most-importantly) selfless group.
Thankful to be… pic.twitter.com/UigheGsYyt
The University of South Carolina digital media team earned several top honors and a key nomination. In the category Stories, Short Form Content, Gamecock Football: The Response took home the Emmy, with Justin King recognized for his exceptional direction. King also received accolades in the category for Video Essayist, underscoring his storytelling ability. Meanwhile, Ethan Styll was awarded in the category for Solo Storyteller, Short Form Content for the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Styll was nominated in Branded Content, Short Form Content for Gamecock Football: Special Uniform Announcement, highlighting the program's creative impact in branded storytelling. All nominations and awards are detailed here.
These three awards for King and his team are only the latest in a string of media accolades for South Carolina's program. According to the University's website, Justin King, who is a 2010 graduate, returned to Columbia in 2017 as the program's Associate AD for New and Creative Media. Then Athletic Director, Ray Tanner, said at the time that "Justin's name rose to the top and his work speaks for itself." And it does. King was also named to 247Sport's "30 Under 30" list of rising college football media stars that same year.
Since being at South Carolina, King has shifted the Gamecocks Productions unit toward short-form, social-media-driven storytelling. His leadership has built South Carolina's Football Creative Media into a highly recognized program. The three Emmy wins, in a competitive multi-state region, only reinforce the talent, creativity, passion, and commitment of the media team.
Now, firmly in the spotlight, these award are more than just trophies. For King, they are a reflection of the heart and soul he and his team pour into every frame. They are stories of belief, identity, and the pride of Gamecock football told through the lens of what it means to wear Garnet and Black.