The success of AdPR Week 2016

Bryan Reber moderated the "Rio 2016: Sports PR and media on the world stage" panel. 

The Grady College's Department of Advertising and Public Relations hosted AdPR Week from Sept. 26 through Sept. 30. The week incorporated speakers and visitors including those from Wieden + Kennedy and Gary McCormick, from GMc Communications, hosted by faculty and student organizations. Each AdPR event exposed students to industry related information and helpful advice from professionals. The week culminated with an exciting panel discussion about the Olympic games entitled, "Rio 2016: Sports PR and media on the world stage". UGA's Olympic silver medalist Chase Kalisz and journalists and public relations professionals, Nicole Chrzanowski, Mike Mobley, Vicki Michaelis and Mark Johnson shared their experiences and lessons learned from the recent Olympics and Paralympics. Hosted by AdPR and Grady Sports Media, AdPR's Bryan Reber moderated this event.

The AdPR Department developed the High Five Donor Recognition Program. This program was designed to provide AdPR students with a fun and easy way to demonstrate their AdPRide. In return for a $5 donation, students and alumni entered to win a three prizes. The first place prize winner, Madison French, received a personal University of Georgia Yeti Cooler. The second winner, Katie Shivers, was awarded a lunch an The National, a restaurant located in downtown Athens, with her favorite AdPR professor. Sophie Ryland, the third place winner, earned a basket filled with "AdPR Swag" including an AdPR cup and notebook.

1st Place - Madison French

2nd Place - Katie Shivers

Third Place - Sophie Ryland

This year's AdPR Week surpassed all goals and expectations by reaching record giving levels. With generous donations throughout the week from students, alumni, faculty and friends of the department, AdPR received over $8,500 in gifts towards the Excellence Fund. This fund will help department initiatives such as providing students with travel grants for study abroad programs, helping with the implementation of the SEE Suite social media monitoring lab and supporting leading research by AdPR's nationally recognized faculty.

AdPR Week 2016 was very successful and the department hopes for continued success in the future. Thank you to all of the generous donors for contributing to the Excellence Fund.