AdPR student to receive first ABAC Mentorship Award

Advertising student Cara Felleman

Congratulations to advertising student Cara Felleman, who will be the first recipient of the ABAC mentorship award.

ABAC (Atlanta Broadcast Advertising Club) created the $25,000 scholarship to support a student actively involved in the ABAC/AdPR mentoring program. For the last two years, over 80 AdPR students have been mentored by ABAC members. Felleman was awarded at this year’s Ad Club banquet and appreciates the honor:

“I had a great experience with the program this past year. I was lucky enough to have the president of the ABAC program, Sean Jones, as my mentor. Sean was a great mentor as he was always willing to help me in any way possible whether that meant meeting for lunch to discuss my future, editing my resume or introducing me to professionals to help kick start my career.The program itself was great for networking as ABAC hosted various events throughout the year, which allowed me to meet professionals in the advertising and broadcast fields.”

Felleman will graduate this May and is currently interviewing with advertising agencies in New York City. She plans to move to there in June to pursue her career in advertising.

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.

Student Spotlight: Cara Felleman

Cara Felleman

Cara Felleman, a rising Senior majoring in Advertising and Psychology, is from Houston, Texas.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

My first semester sophomore year, I wanted to take an introductory class to public relations, however the class was already full so I decided to sign up for Introduction to Advertising instead. I truly enjoyed the class and quickly realized advertising would go hand in hand with my psychology degree, so I decided to apply to Grady!

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

I am currently the Vice President of Ad Club, Co-Chair for ADPR Connection, a member of Relay for Life and an active member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority.

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

I started my summer internship in New York City in the beginning of June, 2013. I am interning at an advertising agency called G2, which at the moment is merging with Ogilvy Action to become the largest activation agency in the world. I am interning in the media department, where I will be participating in the media planning and buying for both broadcast and digital media. I love the job and can’t wait to see what the summer has in store for me.

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

My favorite Grady experience is without a doubt attending the Cannes Lion Festival for Creativity last summer. Grady provided me with the ability to attend the most prestigious advertising event, where only the crème de la crème of the industry are lucky enough to attend as simply a student. This program gave me the opportunity to learn from the top leaders of the industry, network with professionals and most importantly have a ton of fun while doing it!

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

I would say go for it! The AD/PR program at UGA is an amazing program; they prepare you for the real world while providing you with endless opportunities to get involved with the industry as a student. I am very proud to say I am apart of the Grady family.

What are your career goals and interests?

After I graduate in May, I hope to incorporate my psychology background with my passion for advertising. Ultimately, I would like to work in the strategy and insights department at a mid-sized advertising agency in either New York or Atlanta.