AdPR's Executive Advisory Council welcomes new members

AdPR is honored to welcome the following new members to our Executive Advisory Council. The Council is a diverse group of leading communications professionals committed to supporting the vision of the Department of Advertising & Public Relations, and assist the department with activities that align with the most current industry drivers in both the commercial and public sectors worldwide. 

Chowning Johnson, Senior Vice President at Dodge Communications, is a leading strategic advisor to companies that range from new market entrants to early IPOs as well as multinational companies building out healthcare verticals.  Her passion in communications, positioning and business growth has spurred the department she oversees to break into new healthcare categories, carving out additional areas of expertise for Dodge, as well as elevating Dodge clients to the national and business media stage. 

During her career, Johnson has successfully ushered numerous companies to their ultimate goal of acquisition through thoughtful, fine-tuned strategic communications programs, branding and messaging initiatives, and lead generation campaigns that align with overarching business goals.

Natali Johnson works as a Marketing Director, supporting TNT and TBS networks, at Turner.  Natali joined the company in 2007 as a research analyst for TNT, TBS and TCM marketing initiatives. Natali has played an integral role in the development and direction of marketing campaigns for some of the networks' most successful series, including The Last Ship, Rizzoli & Isles, Wrecked and Conan.  The campaigns included traditional advertising tactics, as well as social, mobile and digital strategies.  Natali has also forged multi-tiered partnerships with various events/festivals that helped build audience engagement within tastemaker communities.

Natali is a proud alumni of the University of Georgia, where she graduated with dual degrees in Telecommunication Arts and Political Science.  She was highly active within the Honors program and participated as a student judge in the George Foster Peabody Awards program.  Upon graduating,, Natali held account and marketing positions at Cox Media and Lloyds of London.

Tina Stow of UnitedHealth Group visits students in DC to share her insight and expertise

On July 7, Tina Stow (MA '03), visited Grady students at Delta Hall to discuss her experiences working in health policy and public affairs for UnitedHealth Group. During their time together, Ms. Stow shared her strategic approach to executing and measuring the effectiveness of campaigns focused on Washington, D.C. policymaker and influencer audiences. "It is so energizing to spend time with these great young people", said Stow, is also a member of AdPR's Executive Advisory Council.

Tina Stow joins students at Delta Hall in Washington, D.C.

Students enrolled in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication are encouraged to participate in Grady @ DC, a domestic field study program which takes Grady students to Washington for nine weeks during the summer. Participants enroll in a directed study as well as an internship, and live in Delta Hall during their time in Washington. 

The University of Georgia received a grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation to support UGA in Washington.  In recognition of this gift and partnership, UGA named the residential facility, Delta Hall. President Jere W. Morehead notes, "Delta Air Lines has been a strong corporate partner of the University of Georgia for many years, and this gift demonstrates the leadership role Delta is taking in our ongoing comprehensive campaign to advance the University of Georgia". 

Those interested can find out more information about this program here.

Executive Advisory Council Spends Day with AdPR and Networks with Students

Our Executive Advisory Council spent a day with us in October lending their expertise and collaborating with faculty and networking with AdPR students.  The day included dedicated time in our new social media monitoring lab, the SEE SUITE, as well as one-on-one time with students during a speed networking session.  The collaboration with students and real world insights from our distinguished advisory council members proved to be an invaluable experience for all involved.

In addition, we welcomed four new members to the Executive Advisory Council: Joe Erwin, President and Co-Founder, Erwin-Penland; Beth Marshall, Senior Director of Public Relations, The Atlanta Braves; Trish Mueller, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, The Home Depot; and Brian Wong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kiip.

Working session with Executive Advisory Council and AdPR students.

Networking sessions with our Executive Advisory Council.

SEE Suite
Social Media Monitoring Lab

Joe Erwin, President and Co-Founder, Erwin Penland, Joins AdPR's Executive Advisory Council

Joe Erwin, President, Erwin Penland

Entrepreneur Joe Erwin is the President and co-founder of Erwin Penland, which represents national and regional clients including Verizon Wireless, Denny’s, Michelin, Lockheed Martin and General Motors.  

A graduate of Clemson University, Joe began his career at Greenville’s Leslie Advertising and was soon recruited to join DMB&B in New York, where he worked on the Corning Glass Works and Quincy’s Family Steakhouse accounts.  In 1986, Joe and his wife Gretchen – also a marketing professional – returned to Greenville to purchase Penland Advertising.  Together they opened Erwin Penland with one account, two employees, and a big goal:  extraordinary work, coupled with extraordinary customer service.

Twenty-seven years later, that focus is still the hallmark of the agency.  Only, instead of two employees there are now 375 located in Greenville, New York & Detroit.  And they work across a wide range of integrated marketing disciplines which now includes digital, mobile, social and content marketing; experiential branding; media and analytics; digital asset management; and public relations.  As a result, the agency has seen consistent growth and received countless awards for creative and strategic excellence.

Joe personally oversees Erwin Penland’s pro bono work and diversity initiatives, and is deeply involved in nurturing the company’s entrepreneurial culture.  The agency has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Advertising Age, PR News and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and for having one of the best internship programs in the country.

In 2008, Joe and members of Erwin Penland’s leadership team created the annual Food for Thought conference, which has brought hundreds of influencers from around the country to Greenville for an experiential “unconventional convention.”  The highly personalized event showcases creative thinking across business, non-profit, artistic, educational and culinary endeavors, and highlights some of the best food and locations this region has to offer.

Active in the community and the advertising industry, Joe has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the South Carolina Special Olympics, the Governor’s Commission on Teacher Quality, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

In 2012, Joe and Gretchen made an investment in the future of marketing by making a gift to Clemson University to establish the Erwin Center for the Study of Advertising and Communications. 

Beth Marshall, Senior Director of PR, The Atlanta Braves, Joins AdPR's Executive Advisory Council

Beth Marshall
Sr. Director of Public Relations
The Atlanta Braves

Beth Marshall joined the Atlanta Braves public relations department as a senior advisor in August, 2004 and was named director of public relations during the 2005 season. She was named senior director in April, 2015.

Marshall oversees all aspects of the Braves corporate communications efforts, which includes, community affairs, sales and marketing and business affairs media outreach. She also oversees all Braves publications and is the liaison between Major League Baseball and the Braves broadcasting partners. She is leading the communications efforts with the team’s new ballpark, SunTrust Park and its adjoining mixed-use development slated to open in April, 2017.

Marshall has also worked in public relations for the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, Women's National Basketball Association league office, Planet Hollywood and its sports arm, The Official All-Star Café, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Philadelphia 76ers.

She graduated with a degree in public relations from Harcum College outside of Philadelphia. A native of Haverford, Pa., Marshall lives in Atlanta with her husband Corey.

Trish Mueller, Senior VP & CMO at The Home Depot, Joins AdPR's Executive Advisory Council

Trish Mueller, Senior VP & CMO

Trish Mueller is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for The Home Depot. She is responsible for the Company’s strategic marketing vision, as well as its category marketing and brand development.

Trish joined The Home Depot in 2009 as vice president of advertising. Prior to joining the Company, she was senior vice president, advertising and marketing for The Sports Authority. Trish has an extensive background in the retail industry and has held senior officer marketing management roles at American Signature, a $1 billion-plus furniture store company, and ShopNBC, a home shopping network. 

She began her retail career with Montgomery Ward, where over a 15-year period she held positions of increasing responsibility in merchandising, field operations and marketing. Trish earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in business management from Plattsburgh State University.

Brian Wong, Founder & CEO of Kiip, Joins AdPR's Executive Advisory Council

Brian Wong, Founder & CEO of Kiip

Kiip (pronounced “keep”) redefines how brands connect with consumers through a rewards platform that targets “achievement moments” in mobile games and apps. This innovative approach to mobile marketing creates meaningful engagements between users, developers and advertisers. Backed by Hummer Winblad, Relay Ventures, True Ventures, Digital Garage and others, the company has raised $15.4 million in funding to date.

Kiip has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “4 Hot Online Ad Companies to Put on Your Watch List,” named on the Dow Jones “FasTech50” and listed on Fast Company’s “50 Most Innovative Companies.” Once the youngest person to ever receive venture capital funding, Brian received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia at age 18, after skipping four K-12 grades.



Brian has been recognized with many awards for his accomplishments and leadership, including:

• One of Canada’s “Top 20 Under 20”
  
• Business Insider’s “Top 25 Under 25 in Silicon Valley,” “30 Under 30 in
  Advertising” and “18 Most Important People in Mobile Advertising”
  
• Forbes’ “30 under 30” for three years
  
• Mashable’s “Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch”
  
• iMedia “25”
  
• AdAge “Creativity Top 50”

Before starting Kiip, Brian led key publisher and tech partnerships at the social news website Digg.com, where he accelerated the company’s mobile presence by launching the Digg Android mobile app.