Burt Lauten in his 16th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers Communications Department. In 2011, he was promoted to the position of Director of Communications after serving as the team’s Public Relations/Media manager for six years. In his current role, Lauten serves as the team’s spokesman on all football and organizational matters.
In addition to handling all day-to-day operations of the Steelers’ Communications Department, Lauten works to develop year-round public relations plans for the organization’s messages. He also handles all media inquiries involving the team’s executives, including Team President Art Rooney II, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert, along with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Lauten has been a member of the team’s communications staff for three Super Bowl trips, including victories in Super Bowl XL and XLIII. He has been recognized by the Pro Football Writers Association for his efforts in 2014 by being awarded the Pete Rozelle Award, given annually to NFL’s PR staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. Lauten has worked eight Super Bowls total, including assisting the NFL in five such games during his time with the Steelers.
While Lauten spearheads the franchise’s football communications efforts, he also works closely with the team’s business and community partners to help maximize the team’s media attention on a local and national stage. He assists in the management of the Steelers’ social media initiatives and the coordination of publicity across the team’s digital platforms as well.
Prior to the Steelers, Lauten worked at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant athletic media relations director, assisting with the Panthers’ football, baseball and women’s basketball teams. During his time at Pitt, he assisted in the promotion of 2003 Biletnikoff Award winner, Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient and Heisman Trophy runner-up Larry Fitzgerald.
A 1999 graduate of Westminster College, Lauten has over 20 years of experience in the professional and collegiate communications ranks. Lauten began his sports media career at Miami University (OH) for two years in its Sports Information Office.