The Grady College Department of Advertising and Public Relations hosts second annual AdPR Week

The Grady College Department of Advertising and Public Relations hosts its second annual National AdPR Week at UGA from Sept. 26-30. UGA clubs and organizations including PRSSA, IABC and AdClub are arranging and hosting various special events, presentations and professional development workshops with industry veterans for students throughout the week.

In addition to the engaging events, the AdPR department is launching AdPR Giving Week. This new program will allow current students, alumni and current industry professionals to support current and future programming for AdPR students.

AdPR pride will be encouraged and shared throughout the week on social media using the hashtag #AdPRide.

Find more information about AdPR Week here. 

Recently Dedicated Peyton Anderson Forum presents Ideal Space for AdPR Students

The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication dedicated the Peyton Anderson Forum on Dec. 2 in Athens.

Yan Jin discusses research tactics with Creative Consultants members.

Made possible by grants of $500,000 from the Peyton Anderson Foundation and additional funds from Tom and Edwina Johnson, the forum has proven to be the hub of all activity for the Advertising and Public Relations department throughout the fall semester of 2015.

Peyton Anderson Forum dedication on Dec. 2, 2015.

The beautifully crafted and furnished forum was home to a Creative Consultants bootcamp on research by Yan Jin, associate professor of public relations at UGA. Students were able to push together chairs in the forum to interact as teams and learn more about research for their potential clients.

The department also hosted a very successful AdPR Week with a line-up of speakers from around the country. Grady College came together from Sep. 28 to Oct. 2 to hear from the well-renowned advertising and public relations community; most of which activity occurred in the forum.

From roundtables with executives, to one-on-ones with professors, to elaborate group work, the Peyton Anderson Forum has proven to be the ideal space for Grady students to learn and grow. The AdPR department is excited for another great semester in the spring of 2016, and also for the potential that this space has to offer.

Golin CEO Fred Cook to visit AdPR April 15-16

Fred Cook |  forbes.com

Fred Cook, CEO of Golin, will visit the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, on April 15-16. Cook is the author of Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO. 

On Thursday, April 16, at 9:30 a.m., in Grady's Studio 100, Cook will give a lecture called "Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO," where he will share his uncommon experience and job search tips with students. This event is free and open to the public. 

As part of Grady College's Centennial Weekend, Cook will be a speaker at the Inaugural Carter Conversation: The Next 100 Years in Communication on Thursday, April 16, at 3:30 p.m., at UGA's Special Collections Libraries auditorium. 

Cook has worked at Golin since 1986 and has served as its chief executive officer since 2003. He is responsible for key client relationships, strategic planning and managing the firm. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as the firm's managing director of the western region and chief client officer. His book Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO was published in 2014. When Cook isn't working or writing, he enjoys running and has competed in Chicago and Los Angeles marathons.

AdPR Alumni spotlight: Neil Hirsch

Neil Hirsch

Neil Hirsch currently works as Global External Communications Manager for Novelis Inc.

What was your major and when did you graduate?

My major was Public Relations and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors in May 2000.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA?

I was very active in PRSSA, serving as an officer for several years.  I also was one of three student coordinators for PR Day in 2000.  I was active in several community service groups on campus, participated in Leadership UGA and worked at the UGA Visitors Center for three years as a tour guide.

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

Since graduating from Grady, I have spent my entire career in the Atlanta area.  I started out in a small PR agency, but spent the last 12 years of my career in various corporate communications roles.  I have invested heavily in building relationships with my peers in the profession and each progressive move in my career can be traced back to that network in some way.  I’m a big believer that who you know may help open doors and what you know will get you the job.

In the case of my current role, I previously worked for someone who the hiring manager also knew and respected.  That personal recommendation moved me to the top of the consideration list, but it was my experience that ultimately got me the job.

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

I work at our global headquarters in Buckhead.  No day is the same.  Today I will work on the final preparations for our earnings announcement next week; handle any media inquiries we might receive; prepare a presentation for our CEO; manage our social media channels; work on a crisis communications workshop we are developing and review a blog post one of our executives has prepared.  I love the variety and the global nature of my role.   

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

My time at Grady served as a strong foundation for my career.  Grady was where I found my home at UGA.  My first two years at UGA, in many ways, I felt like just a number in many of my large lecture courses.  That changed when I began my major coursework.  I forged strong, meaningful relationships with many of my professors.  I’m friends of Facebook with several of them and just saw Dr. Sallot yesterday.  Even 13 years after graduating, I still value their counsel and appreciate their interest in my life.  I also forged what would become some lifelong friends among my peers at Grady.  I’ve been to their weddings, seen them become parents and shared in their career successes along the way.  Finally, my PRSSA participation was a springboard for my career.  That’s where I was exposed to leaders of PRSA who became important mentors to me and led me down the path of service to our profession.  I’m excited to be serving as the president of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA next year – we’re the second-largest chapter in the nation with 800+ members.  I can trace that achievement back to my days at Grady.

What is your favorite Grady memory?

The year I helped to coordinate PR Day, our keynote speaker was a communications director from General Motors.  For someone who always loved cars, it seemed like the perfect job for a PR professional.  It gave me a vision for what I wanted to do in my career – combining my professional skill set with a personal passion.  By 2002, I was working as a communications specialist at Ford Motor Company in Atlanta and it was a great experience.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?

Take advantage of all the opportunities around you – both inside and outside the classroom.  Entering the workforce gets more competitive each year, so it’s important to do all you can today to prepare for tomorrow.  Whether that’s being an active member in professional groups at Grady, attending guest lectures, volunteering for organizations to lead communications efforts, interning while you take classes or building relationships with professionals you meet, there are so many great ways to further enrich your Grady experience.  It’s up to you to make it happen.

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.

Student spotlight: Alex Woodruff

Alex Woodruff

Alex Woodruff, a Senior majoring in Advertising (Grady College), Marketing (Terry College), and Music Business (Terry Certificate) is from Locust Grove, GA. He's interning at Mashable (NY) this summer.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

Coming in as a freshman I knew my greatest passion was journalism, at least from an educational perspective. l still hadn't decided which discipline within Grady was my best match however. Though my high school background was in print journalism, after a couple of years at UGA I began to shift more from news-writing to the ADPR side of things. Looking back, I couldn't be happier with that decision.

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

I record music under the name Reign and have performed many times in Athens as well as on campus, opening for Big Sean when he came to UGA and Kendrick Lamar earlier this year at Tate Grand Hall. Outside of my music I am an active member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, the Sales/Marketing Fraternity at UGA, and work part-time as a Salesperson for LensCrafters in Athens.

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

When I started at UGA I worked as a cashier at Publix for about a year before being hired at LensCrafters, where I sell and repair glasses. Last year I was granted an internship through the Terry Music Business program doing marketing work for UGA Alum Pharis Roland and his company BoomFoundry. This summer I was fortunate enough to be selected for an Sales internship with Mashable.com in New York City. At Mashable I work with a team of people who strive to make the site a go-to destination for advertisers worldwide, while keeping the user-experience as undisturbed as possible.

What were the best parts of these experiences?

Easily, my time here at Mashable. This is my first real experience with an established company and it has been phenomenal. Great work environment and brilliant, forward-thinking people.

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

In all of these work experiences the one constant responsibility I have is that I must be able to communicate effectively. My Grady professors have really helped prepare me for that, and I'm much more comfortable in these internships because of their tutelage.

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

Go for it! It's an awesome program with a great reputation and an even better faculty.

What are your career goals and interests?

Because of the intensive education I've received at Grady and elsewhere at the University, I have a lot of options once I finish my degrees. I plan to try a variety of fields, test my strengths, and most importantly: never get bored.

New AdPR faculty spotlight: Michael Cacciatore

Michael Cacciatore

Michael Cacciatore, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will be joining the AdPR faculty this fall as an assistant professor of public relations.

What classes (if any) are you teaching this year?

I just finished teaching a course in data analyses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In the Fall I will be teaching “Public Relations Research” at the UGA. The course will touch upon virtually all areas of research, from the development of hypotheses and research questions to the analysis, interpretation, and preparation of data for publication and report writing.

Past academic positions:

This is my first faculty position. I’ll be graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this summer with a PhD in Mass Communications from the Department of Life Sciences Communication. While at Wisconsin I worked as a teaching assistant, lecturer, and project assistant on a pair of NSF-funded research projects.

What are your research interests and why?

My research focuses on the intersection of media, risk and public opinion, with a more specific emphasis on strategic risk communication for science, health and environmental topics. I have always had an interest in controversial risk topics and in understanding the factors that drive certain risk issues to garner so much more attention than others. These interests naturally pushed me toward the risk communication literature and my current research focal area.

My work looks at risk from a number of different, but ultimately related angles. Some of my work has tracked media coverage of risk topics. For instance, I’ve compared depictions of risky scientific issues in traditional and online media, exploring how the new media environment is changing the way in which audiences consume and share risk information. Related to this research, I have investigated audience perceptions of risk. My work in this area focuses on the opinion formation process related to risk, including the role played by value predispositions, media, and knowledge, among others, in this process.

Are there any projects/publications you're working on that you can share a little about at this time?

I co-wrote a grant last year that was recently accepted for funding. The project looks at public risk perceptions toward lean finely textured ground beef, or as it is more widely known, ‘pink slime.’ We’re interested in understanding the varied public response toward ‘pink slime,’ as well as the impacts that the controversy has had on the meat industry, and food safety in the United States, more broadly. As part of this project we are also putting together a workshop for industry leaders that focuses on crisis communication.

Currently, I am wrapping up my doctoral dissertation. This project blends content analysis data, experimental techniques, and survey research to clarify conceptualizations of frames and framing effects. It also builds from my recent work on public risk assessments by examining how different audiences interpret risk information frames based on their underlying cognitive schema and value predispositions.

What are you most looking forward to while you're at Grady/UGA?

It’s difficult to pinpoint just one thing I’m most looking forward to. For instance, I am really excited about having the opportunity to work with such an accomplished group of scholars within the College. This means picking their brains about teaching and the research they do, finding where our interests overlap, and developing collaborative projects based on those interests. I’m excited to begin teaching as well. I’ve heard wonderful things about the students in Grady, so I am looking forward to meeting and working with them. Outside of academics, my family and I are excited about experiencing all that Athens has to offer. Taking in a football Saturday and visiting some of the famed Athens music venues are definitely at the top of our list of things to do.

UGA AdPR students strategize new campaign for a local business

A print piece from the winning campaign.

Students in the AdPR 3110 Advertising Message Strategy class had the opportunity to revamp an advertising campaign this spring semester for a local business, Pints and Paints, Athens’ first art bar and studio.

“There is great value — for both the students and the community — in having a real client for the semester-long project for the Message Strategy class. Students are able to tackle real time, real world marketing challenges,” said Dr. Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson, senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and instructor for the course.

The students were divided into teams, or advertising agencies, for the entire semester to build a creative campaign to pitch to Abby Denham, the owner of Pints and Paints. The three teams focused on several themes, such as the company's locally-owned roots and Athens-based paintings. Denham ultimately chose a student campaign that embodied these concepts called “Outside the Lines, Inside Athens.”

“Our campaign capitalizes on the unique and local flavor of the culture of Athens that Pints and Paints has come to embody through its innovative take on nighttime entertainment,” said Channing Jones, a sophomore marketing and advertising major who was part of the winning campaign. “Ultimately, we wanted all of our communications pieces to exude the same rustic, earthy, artsy vibe customers feel upon visiting Pints and Paints.”

Some students found the semester-long project a challenging but rewarding process.
“The creative process was more challenging than I expected it to be. It was difficult for myself and my group to reject our initial ideas and to dig for something deeper and more meaningful,” said Alyson Shields, another student who was on the winning campaign team.  “But ultimately, we created a campaign that we were proud of and that we were certain would stand out and be memorable.”

One student said she felt so inspired by the company’s history, she pursued a follow-up internship after the class was over. “As soon as I walked into Pints and Paints for our first meeting with Abby, the owner, I instantly knew that I'd made the right decision when I decided to become an advertising major, and I knew that I had to work for her,” said Brittney Johnson, another student who took the course.

Overall, the class helps students gain hands-on experience, said Dr. Strausbaugh-Hutchinson. “They learn to interact with clients and to assess their business needs, as well as gain presentation experience, learning to be confident in pitching their recommendations. And from a community standpoint, we're able to help local Athens-based businesses grow and thrive.”

“Message Strategy has been one of the most exciting classes I have ever taken,” said Shields. “Having a real-life client motivated me to really push myself, more than any letter-grade has ever motivated me. Given the opportunity, I would take the class again in a heartbeat.”

AdPR Alum Spotlight: Lauren Buechner

Lauren Buechner graduated from UGA in 2007 with a master's degree (concentration in telecommunications), and in 2005 with a bachelor's in advertising. She currently lives in New York.

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

I am an Associate Manager of Research (Crossplatform and Promotion) at ESPN. My first job out of Grady was a Media Buyer at MindShare in Atlanta. In March of 2008, I took a job at The Nielsen Company in New York City and left Atlanta. At Nielsen, I was responsible for handling training and day to day contact with local television stations as well as various advertising agencies and cable networks. I left Nielsen in May 2010 and became an Account Manager at Experian Simmons (a qualitative research company). My primary role was relationship management with all of the major advertising holding companies and their subsidiaries (ie WPP and Grey, Omnicom and OMD).

In November 2011, I left Simmons and took at 4 month sabbatical in London. I returned to New York in April of this year and was very fortunate to land my dream job at ESPN.

What is your day-to-day like at ESPN? Any projects that you can share with us?

Every day is different because we are constantly juggling multiple projects at once. Right now I am working on a project that looks at where and how people are consuming media throughout the day. We just completed an analysis for a new program that will air on ESPNU in the fall. We are also gearing up for a College Football project which I am really excited about. How can you not like a job that learning about sports is not only active encouraged, it’s required?

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

I use so much of what I learned in Grady on a day to day basis. Grady students are lucky because I think the faculty does such a great job in preparing students for the realities of a career in advertising. My Campaigns class with Kirsten Strasbaugh-Hutchinson, required a lot of hard work and a glimpse into the future for many of us, but also gave us the hands on experience that we would not have had otherwise.

Staying at Grady to complete my M.A. was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It put me on a path in Media Research that I had no idea I was even interested in. The opportunity to be mentored by some of the smartest people in academia like Dr. Ann Hollifield was really crucial to my success as a student and in my career.

What is your favorite Grady memory?

I have many fond memories of my time at Grady, but my favorite was working with my team (CILF) on our Campaigns project. For 2 months we worked long hours and challenged each other creatively, but most importantly, we all became friends. In fact, one of my teammates, Abbie Bridges, is now one of my co-workers at ESPN!

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?

One of the most important things a current student can do is to try to absorb as much from your classes as you can. You may think that your media planning class is pointless because you want to do creative or vice versa, but there is nothing better you can do than learn all sides of the industry. You never know what the job market might be like when you get out and you might have to take a circuitous route to get to your dream job. Being flexible and able to accept the jobs that are out there is crucial. Every job is a learning experience and it does pay off.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Bryan Reber

What led you to become a professor at Grady?

I was led to become a professor at Grady because of the PR program's super reputation. While I was in graduate school I read the published scholarship of all the people who are now my colleagues -- Acosta-Alzuru, Freimuth, Lariscy, Russell, Sallot, and Springston. I never really dreamed that I'd ever be part of such a superb faculty. And it's only improved since I arrived with the addition of Sweetser. The non-research faculty are equally impressive. Dr. Jones and Kristen Smith are just super colleagues. When I visited for my job interview, I also learned that the ADPR faculty likes and supports each other. We're colleagues and friends. I feel really lucky to be here. Also, I have to admit, Athens as a place to live was a real draw.

What do you teach?

Right now I'm teaching introduction to public relations, primarily. I also teach PR writing and administration. On the graduate level, I teach PR management and have taught public opinion.

What is the focus of your research?

Public relations. Anything in the public relations realm is fair game for me. Research areas that I do more work in are: power and influence in public relations, contingency theory, corporate public relations -- especially CSR, crisis management, public relations in activism, and use of public relations online.

What is your relationship with your students (undergraduate and graduate)?

I like teaching. I believe my relationships are probably stronger with graduate students than with undergrads just because of the nature of the interaction. When I work on research projects with grad students, I spend a lot of time thinking, planning, and writing with them so I feel more connected. I really enjoy teaching undergrads -- especially in smaller classes like writing or administration -- but I don't feel like I get to know them in the same way.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like eating out at Athens' great restaurants and listening to Athens music -- classical, bluegrass, folk, indie rock. I like working in the yard, cooking, traveling, reading, watching TV and movies, and hanging out with friends

What advice do you give to your students?

Public relations is a great field. There are so many opportunities. While you're in school, explore as many aspects of PR as you can through volunteering or internships or just networking with professionals. Those activities will help you know what direction you want to follow when you graduate. Work hard on being a strong writer. Exercise your strategic thinking. Grady PR graduates are in high demand because they are so smart and well prepared. You're in an exciting profession.

AdPR Alum Spotlight: Aline Adams

Aline Adams graduated from UGA in 2011 with a major in Advertising and a minor in Sociology. She currently lives in Washington, D.C.

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

I currently work at Glover Park Group, a Public and Government Affairs–focused communications firm with offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Boulder, CO., in the Creative Services practice area. I began my career in D.C. with an internship in Senator Mary Landrieu's press office the summer before my senior year. The summer after I graduated, I interned at Burson-Marsteller in the Advertising practice area known as Proof Integrated Communications. Working in creative departments has been a great way to begin my career, as it has allowed me to use my PR, advertising, and design skills in my work. I also have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients in the Healthcare, Financial Services, Entertainment, and Media fields, and with internal GPG members to create creative content for strategic, policy-focused campaigns.

What is your favorite Grady memory?

The PRSSA Washington, D.C. tour, of course! I also attended the Ad Club/PRSSA New York City agency tour in the fall of 2010. The amount of information thrown at you in these three days in invaluable. We were given real world advice, resume critiques, and encouraged to network with the agency professionals, all while tromping around the District with fellow Grady classmates and professors. By the last day of the trip, some of us had written published blog posts, Tweets, and Facebook posts! I would highly recommend these trips to anyone considering a post-college job in the field.

What advice to you have for current AdPR students?

Intern, intern, intern! During summers, seek out internships in cities where you would like to live and work. Especially in D.C., it is important to employers to have a local address on your resumé, signifying you are ready to begin working immediately. Most entry-level PR jobs are filled through word-of-mouth recommendations, so touch base with professionals in your network often. People get busy or distracted so don't be afraid to follow up with a brief email or phone call. After interviews, send around handwritten thank you notes to whomever you met. Stay relevant and on top of trends in the news. Attend networking events whenever possible and then follow up. When you do have an internship, make an effort to go above and beyond what is expected of you.

In addition: Always double-check everything you do and and ask for feedback throughout, not just at the end. Don't be afraid to speak up, learn from your mistakes, and demonstrate a hard-working and positive attitude. Good luck!