AdPR Connection Event "Becoming A VIP" Is A Success

Students learned what it means to become a V.I.P. at this year’s fifth annual ADPR Connection on Tuesday, Oct. 20 which was held in the University of Georgia’s Tate Grand Hall. This years event highlighted the importance of being versatile, inspired and prepared in today’s professional world. The event included six VIP inspired workshops, a coffee hour, senior luncheon and a career fair. 

Sponsors for this event include Nebo at the platinum level; BBDO, Coca Cola, Cookerly Public Relations, The Creative Circus, Dodge Communications, Moxie, MSL Group and Porter Novelli at the gold level; and Erwin Penland and Jackson Electric Membership Corporation at the silver level.  Additional photos for this event can be found here.

*The event was sponsored by UGA PRSSA and Ad Club. It is co-directed by Erin Geoffroy and Diana Soloaga.

AdPR hosts AEF speakers Hillary Traylor and Janis Middleton

National Ad(PR) Week got off to a great start with special AEF visitors Hillary Traylor and Janis Middleton visiting classes Tuesday, September 30. Both work in social media at 22-squared based in Atlanta.

Traylor and Middleton spoke about both the art and science involved in today's advertising. They shared their message in a large intro class as well as a graduate management course. They also consulted with students about student class projects based on social media. After a day of guest lecturing, Traylor and Middleton met with students during dinner before addressing UGA's Ad Club.

Traylor is an AdPR/UGA alum as well as a social media director at 22-squared. Middleton is a social media manager at 22-squared. She has a journalism degree from Clark Atlantic University.

AdPR Alumni Spotlight: Austin McDonnell

Austin McDonnell at graduation
December 2013

Austin McDonnell recently accepted an offer to work at Grey New York as an Assistant Account Executive on the CoverGirl account.

What was your major and when did you graduate?  

I graduated in December 2013 and received Bachelor’s degrees in advertising and french.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA?  

While at UGA I was a UGA HEROs Team Leader and PR Committee member, AdClub member, served as VP of Public Relations for Delta Delta Delta, and interned for Barberitos Franchising in their marketing department.

What are you doing now and how did you get there?

I’ve held four different advertising internship positions and knew that I wanted to work with a larger agency in another city. My sights were originally set on Chicago, but I established great connections with Grady alumni who accepted jobs in New York. Maintaining these relationships and reaching out to other UGA alums at ad agencies was one of the smartest moves I made over the course of my job search. We have an incredible alumni network! I began my job search early with informational interviews and kept in touch with HR leading up to position openings.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?)

Stay tuned...

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today?  

During my final semester, I took a course called Digital and Social Strategy, which I believe to be one of the most useful ad classes I took over the course of my time at UGA. The course taught us about SEO, SEM, metrics, community management, and other elements of digital advertising. Dr. Lin provided case studies of current social media campaigns for our class to discuss and analyze, which was something I continued to do after graduation. Analyzing different campaigns was a go-to question in almost every interview!

What is your favorite Grady memory?

One of my favorite Grady memories was participating in the Chicago Advertising Agency Tour in the fall of my junior year. The trip allowed us to rub elbows with professionals in media, creative, accounts, and production. It was fantastic exposure and gave a holistic view of the advertising landscape.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?

Take advantage of advertising and PR opportunities as a student! Participate in AdClub or PRSSA. Join marketing or PR philanthropy committees. Find an off campus organization or company to volunteer or intern with. It’s important to see how what you’re learning in the classroom is actually applied! Get your hands dirty and gain experience. Be a sponge and ask questions. Be patient but persistent. My final piece of advice: never underestimate the power of a hand written thank you note.

AdPR Student Spotlight: Lindsey Gaff

Ad major Lindsey Gaff

Lindsey Gaff is a senior advertising major from Milner, Ga. 

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

When I got into UGA, I knew I wanted to do something creative. To me, getting a degree in advertising was the best way to balance creativity and practicality.  

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens?

The greater part of my time was spent on the executive board for UGA Ad Club. As the VP or Membership, I was responsible for coming up with ways to promote the club and increase membership. Currently I am involved with UGA’s student-run ad agency, Talking Dog. As the copywriter, I work with my team to produce materials for our client, Athens Food Tours. 

I also studied advertising in France this summer with other UGA students at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

What kinds of internships or work have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities? (If you haven't been involved in internships or work, you can mention activity experience)

My first internship with the Downtown Development Authority in Monroe, Georgia was focused on marketing and social media. I was responsible for getting the word out about downtown events through the website, print and social media platforms and monitoring the effectiveness of those vehicles. 

I also worked at The UGA Ramsey Center for over two years as a facility manager. I was responsible for the staff on shift as well as ensuring a pleasant and safe environment for patrons. 

Since July, I have worked as an intern for The Adsmith, an advertising and design agency in Athens. In the spring, I will continue writing copy, brainstorming campaign and design ideas, and creating content for social media. 

What were the best parts of these experiences? 

Each of these experiences (as well as others) has been extremely gratifying in its own way. I think though, overall, the best part of these experiences was learning to think for myself. In each of these positions I’ve had to challenge myself to think critically and creatively to solve problems. It’s amazing what we are capable of when we’re challenged on a regular basis.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your internship or work experiences?

The classes that have been most meaningful to me were Message Strategy with Dr. Roushansamir, Global Advertising with Dr. Kim, and Advertising Management with Mr. McCreery. Message strategy taught me the value of the creative process and working on a strict deadline. Global advertising opened my eyes to the various cultures and consumer perceptions worldwide. Management was extremely beneficial in teaching me the overall process of advertising in the context of marketing. Each of these teachers invested in me as a student and increased my understanding of and passion for the industry significantly.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program? 

Let your passion shine through in your essay! It’s a part of the application that goes much deeper than your GPA.

What are your career goals and interests? 

I aim to get a job in the creative sector of advertising, preferably as a copywriter or a planner at a small agency. I am pursuing jobs in Atlanta, as well as other cities in the U.S. and am very excited about the possibility of a career outside of Georgia. 

AdPR Intern Spotlight: Meghan McLynn

Advertising major
Meghan McLynn

Meghan McLynn is a junior advertising major from Johns Creek, Ga.

What is your official title?

AdPR Turner Development Intern

How long have you been the intern?

This will be my first semester.

What are you looking forward to the most about being the intern?

I am so excited for the opportunity to meet advertising professionals as well as more Grady students.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

I am creative and enjoy working in groups with others.  I applied to Grady hoping that I would learn in an interactive classroom environment where I could express my ideas to better a project. Grady turned out to be even better than I originally imagined; it has shaped me into a great student and created a passion for advertising within me.

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens?

I was selected as a mentee for the Grady/Atlanta Broadcast Advertising Club Mentorship Program where I have been assigned a mentor and have attended networking events and toured news stations such as WSB-TV and The Total Traffic and Weather Network.

I have been a member of the UGA Advertising Club for the past three years, where I have had the opportunity to listen to advertising professionals and industry leaders speak weekly.  As a team leader in Sigma Alpha Pi, The National Society of Leadership and Success, I organize team meetings and facilitate discussion about relevant leadership topics addressed by guest speakers.  Additionally, I am an active member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

What kinds of internships or work have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities?

This past semester I was a Marketing Coordinator for The Red and Black.  In this role, I was part of a team that went to local businesses in Athens and sold advertising space in the newspaper. Additionally, I interned for High Points Learning, an online math tutoring company in Duluth, Georgia where I reviewed and corrected elementary- college level math problems.

What were the best parts of these experiences?

The Red and Black challenged me to learn every day I worked there.  I had never had a sales job before, and through trial and error I discovered the best ways to talk to different business owners.  Being in the group environment, I adapted to working with various people despite different sales strategies and personalities.  In my High Points Learning internship, I got experience working in an office environment with people much older than me and got to brush up on my math skills.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your internship or work experiences?

This semester I took Advertising Message Strategy and Media Planning.  Both of these classes featured major group projects that gave me additional experience working with a team to meet deadlines and accomplish goals.  This helped me greatly while working for The Red and Black because the drive and discipline needed to complete a project parallels the same motivation needed for a sales job.  Additionally, I used my creative skills to design a packet for doctors’ offices including a letter about the newspaper, rate cards, and numerous publications through which a business could advertise.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program?

The best thing a prospective Grady student can do is to get involved on campus.  Join clubs and organizations that are focused on Ad/PR to learn more about the subject and meet others who share the same interests. Additionally, talking to others who are already in the field sheds light on what a career in communications is like.

What are your career goals and interests?

I want to work at a large advertising firm or corporation as an Account Executive in which I can use all my skills to oversee advertising campaigns.  This role will be a stepping stone for a career in advertising leadership.

AdPR Connection 2013 Recap

AdPR Connection 2013, a networking event sponsored by BBDO and Porter Novelli, took place this year on Nov. 12 in Tate Grand Hall at the University of Georgia.

AdPR Department Head Tom Reichert speaking at AdPR Connection luncheon

The event, free for all participants, gives students the opportunity to network with 120 professionals from over 64 companies in advertising and public relations.

In its third year, AdPR Connection was co-chaired by advertising major Cara Felleman and public relations major Meghan Kanter.

"I knew that directing ADPR Connection would require a lot of time and work, but I had no idea how rewarding it would be. Seeing all of our hard work unfold was incredible, and Cara and I were both able to relax and enjoy the day ourselves.," said Kanter. 

"I am so grateful to be given this opportunity, as it was a great learning experience. Planning such a large scale-networking event took months of planning which consisted of weekly meetings with my co-chair and advisor as well as with my committees, hundreds of emails and constant communication with the students, faculty and professionals. I am extremely proud of the way the event turned out," added Felleman.

AdPR Connection began with a luncheon for professionals, AdClub and PRSSA seniors, faculty and staff. A panel of professionals from BBDO and Porter Novelli was assembled to discuss the importance of “integration” in today’s advertising and public relations fields.  

Following the luncheon, students attended workshops intended to expand knowledge and skills pertaining to the industry. The six professional development workshops included:

• “I Want to Be the Boss”- featuring high-level management professionals speaking about how they worked their way up to their positions.
• “Blurring the Lines”- a discussion on how the communications, public relations and advertising industries are merging together.
• “First Year on the Job”- advice from young professionals who graduated in the past two years on what the “real world “ is like.
• “Branding Yourself”- featuring professionals who explained how students can best present themselves to future employers.
• “Getting Your Foot in the Door”- advice from professionals who work with hiring and gave students advice on how to best prepare for interviews and job applications.
• “Making an Impact- An Interactive Guide to Presentation Skills”
  

  
  

After the workshops, students attended the Career Fair, where they were able to hone with networking skills and find out more information about the companies at AdPR Connection.

Representatives from Porter Novelli at the Career Fair 

To conclude the day, a mixer was held at Porterhouse Grill for students and professionals.

For more information on AdPR Connection, visit here.

AdPR Alumni Spotlight - Sarah Armstrong (‘05)

Sarah Armstrong

Sarah Armstrong currently works at Arnold (NY) as an Account Supervisor.

What was your major and when did you graduate? I graduated Cum Laude in May ‘05 with an ABJ in Advertising.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA? Though I graduated with a degree in Advertising, I was initially a PR major so my activities spanned between both areas of communications.  I was a member of a sorority for four years and during that time I served one year as the PR chair.  One of my favorite activities was being a Hoop Girl for the Men’s basketball team for 3 years. And during my senior year I became involved in the Ad Club (since I finally picked my major!) and came to New York City for the annual Ad Club trip.

What are you doing now and how did you get there?  I’m currently an Account Supervisor working on Unilever at Arnold.  Right after graduation I came to NYC with a friend - neither of us had jobs but we were determined to make it work.  I had a PR internship the year before and used that experience to secure a position at a leading PR agency.  After a few months, I decided to switch to advertising and joined JWT, where I worked on a few J&J and Diageo brands for 4+ years. Ready for a change, I came to Arnold 3 years ago.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?) On any given day I'm doing whatever I can to make the account run smoothly. That could mean pulling together a presentation for a creative meeting, visiting the clients' offices, attending focus groups or even a shoot somewhere exotic (or in Queens for that matter...) Right now I'm working on a project that will simultaneously relaunch a brand in some global markets, launch a new product and help the brand become relevant to millennials who may have passed on it in the past. So, I've got my work cut out for me!

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? The passion of my professors in Grady is what drew me to Advertising. Learning about all aspects of communications (research, art direction, strategy, media and even law) gave me a solid base of knowledge.  Not to mention it allowed me to try my hand at different roles within communications to get a sense of where I excel (leading a team, making killer PPT decks) and where I'm perhaps not so gifted (Photoshop, writing newspaper articles).

What is your favorite Grady memory? Definitely the Ad Club NYC trip. I met so many wonderful people, visited a ton of fantastic agencies and got to see all that NYC -- my home now of 8 years -- had to offer. It gave me the excitement and confidence I needed to make the leap to move here. In a nutshell, that was a life-changing trip.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students? 1) Don't be shy! Network and meet people. We all got our start from meeting someone on the inside who was kind enough to listen to our dreams and offer a way in. 2) Ask thoughtful questions and let your passion and personality shine through, especially when interviewing for that first job. 3) And once you have that first job, remember you have a lot to learn. Grady is fantastic at preparing you for your career, but there's nothing like good old fashioned experience that comes with time, and the wisdom that comes from working under seasoned mentors.

AdPR Alumni Spotlight: Rebecca Hoerner

Rebecca Hoerner

Rebecca Hoerner, an advertising major and participant in the New Media certificate, is from Newnan. She graduated in Spring 2013.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

I toured UGA as a junior in high school and fell in love with the campus; I saw myself doing well at UGA. I was pretty set on getting into the Advertising program because Grady is one of the top Communications colleges in the country. I knew a degree from Grady would offer me a diverse range of opportunities.  

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens?

I am currently the VP of Educational Programming for AdClub, the Webmaster for University Union Student Programming Board, and Account Executive of the Olivia Anne Hellwig Foundation through Talking Dog. I just finished up an exclusive project with six of my lovely Grady peers for PHD NY on Millennial insights and media habits. In Athens, I volunteer with the Athens Area Humane Society and HandsOn Northeast Georgia.

What kinds of internships have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities?

Last summer I interned at Amsterdam Worldwide in The Netherlands as an Account Management Intern. I assisted in the launch of the social music application, NightTag, for Istanbul, Turkey. I conducted competitive research for current clients and new business pitches and assisted with organizing presentations for client meetings and internal projects such as Scalpel (Pernod Ricard). I was also responsible for gathering media/PR clippings to show campaign progress to clients

What were the best parts of your internship experiences?

Amsterdam Worldwide is in Amsterdam-Centrum, so I had an amazing time exploring every day after work. The agency is international, so I was surrounded by so many amazing people from different countries and definitely learned a lot about different cultures and languages. I was a part of so much interesting work and I got to learn a lot about the clients and specific markets and aid anyone in the agency with insights and research. The agency also had a garden out back, so we would have drinks in the garden (on a pretty regular basis) to celebrate new client pitches and just as a break from working so hard.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) will you always remember?

I love AdClub and will always remember it as a weekly gathering of my favorite ad nerds. I think the PHD project will stick with me forever because it was a 6-month project and I was able to work closely with Dr. King and 6 brilliant Grady students. I will always remember Dr. Reichert because he fostered the relationship with Amsterdam Worldwide, accompanied our PHD group to New York, and encouraged me in a lot of my Grady endeavors.  

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program?

I would say go for it because I think the AdPR department has the most encouraging and intelligent faculty and offers an incredible range of opportunities for its students. Grady AdPR definitely takes care of students who are willing to work hard. I personally think Grady AdPR is the best program at UGA, especially for someone who wants a challenge and is willing to seize opportunities.  

What are your career goals and interests?

I am very interested in Strategy (digital and traditional), Account Planning and Account Management positions and I am looking at New York City as well as internationally for job opportunities.  In my career, my goal is to work in international markets and I am excited to see where life takes me.

Drs. Jones and Strausbaugh-Hutchinson chosen as AdPR top teachers

Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson and Betty Jones, senior lecturers in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, were recently chosen as the AdPR Top Teachers of the Year. The award is given annually to recognize exceptional AdPR faculty. 

Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson

In addition to teaching, Dr. Strausbaugh-Hutchinson is the advisor to UGA AdClub, and teaches the advertising strategy and campaigns courses."I'm so honored to receive this award. I thank my colleagues for their support and my students for all of their hard work and commitment to the learning mission," she said. "It's amazing what they're able to create when they apply all of their combined classroom knowledge. And for that, I'm very proud of them."

Betty Jones

Dr. Betty Jones serves as the advisor to UGA PRSSA, and teaches graphic communication, PR communication and oversees the advertising/public relations graphic laboratory.
"I am honored to be chosen once again as the PR Teacher of the Year," Jones said. " I have amazing students and wonderfully supportive colleagues, all of whom contribute to my success as a teacher."

AdPR Student Spotlight: Stephanie Wright

Stephanie Wright

Stephanie Wright, a senior majoring in advertising, is originally from Aurora, Ontario in Canada and grew up in Marietta, Ga.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College? I actually transferred from the University of Alabama to the University of Georgia after I heard about the reputation of the Journalism program and all of the different programs that they offered. I knew that if I wanted to make an impression in the industry, I needed to get my degree from Grady. 

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens? I am currently the President of the UGA AdClub and I absolutely love it. I am able to organize bi-monthly meetings with the help of my executive committee by arranging for advertising professionals to come and speak to our students about their experiences in the industry. We also get the opportunity to organize special events for our club members such as advertising agency tours where they get to experience what it's like to work in an actual agency for a day. 

What kinds of internships have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities? During my time at UGA, I have been involved in a variety of internships and opportunities. I worked as a Public Affairs and Communications intern at Coca-Cola Enterprises where implemented community events in the Atlanta area including the Summer Special Olympics, NFL Falcons Summer Camp, and a Boys and Girls Club Renovation. I also served as an Account Executive for The Red & Black student newspaper where I was responsible for curating, managing and budgeting advertising revenue and created marketing campaigns for local clients. Additionally, this past fall, I directed integral aspects of a networking event sponsored by University of Georgia AdClub and PRSSA, BBDO and Porter Novelli Atlanta called ADPR Connection. And most recently, I was given the privilege of conducting research on the Millennial generation and their use of technology for the PHD Worldwide/Grady Creative Collective.

What were the best parts of your internship experiences? I think that the best part of any internship is the opportunity that it gives you to test your abilities as a professional and to learn about how the industry works from your superiors. During all of my internships, I learned that you have to make the most of every opportunity you are given. By challenging myself and always asking what else I could do, I gained knowledge and insights into the industry that were instrumental in my development as a professional.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) will you always remember? I will never forget my summer I spent studying abroad at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. For three weeks, I lived in Juan-les-Pins, France and was given the opportunity to participate in an event that most advertising professionals only dream of going to as a student. By attending this celebration of imagination, I was able to go to workshops and seminars that were conducted by CEOs and CMOs of Fortune 500 companies and meet the individuals who created these inspirational campaigns that were seen around the world at agency-sponsored happy hours. 

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program? The Grady College of Journalism is a fantastic school that will prepare you for the real world if you take advantage of all of the programs they offer. Be sure to do your research on all of the different opportunities that are available and make a plan so that you can fit all of the things you want to do into your schedule. Also, don't be afraid to talk to your professors and ask for advice. You'll never know what kinds of resources they might have to help you unless you ask.

What are your career goals and interests? Anything that allows for me to combine my love of the advertising industry while being able to utilize and embrace my love of studying human behavior. Ultimately, I think I would love to be either an account manager or work in the strategy and insights department at an advertising agency.