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.

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.

Alexandra Prather recognized at AdPR PRSSA Senior Appreciation Night

Alexandra Prather received the 2014 Dodge Communications/PRSSA Outstanding Senior Award on December 2.  Presented by Dodge CEO Brad Dodge, the award was established last year to honor an outstanding December Public Relations graduate.

As a member of the world’s largest PRSSA chapter, Alexandra has served in leadership positions as an associate director of Creative Consultants, PRSSA’s student-run PR firm; and as the co-director of ADPR Connection, held last month. In addition, Alex serves as the account executive of her Campaigns team.  Following graduation, she will begin an internship with Edelman in Atlanta.

Founded in 2001, Dodge Communications is a generous supporter of PRSSA and the Grady College. Dodge now has more than 50 employees (many Grady graduates) working with more than 50 clients. Over the last 13 years, Dodge has worked with more than 200 U.S.-based healthcare companies that deliver products and services to hospitals, physician practices, payer organizations and vendors.

Contact: Dr. Betty Jones, PRSSA Faculty Advisor​

UGA's PRSSA gears up for spring Atlanta agency tour

PRSSA, the UGA public relations student organization, plans to tour Atlanta public relations agencies on March 21-22. Juniors, seniors and graduate students who are current members of PRSSA are invited to apply. Sixteen students will be chosen for the tour, with top priority given to those graduating in 2013.

The agencies included on the tour are Ignition, Porter Novelli, Engauge, Edelman, Dodge Communications and MSLGroup. 

"I'm excited about visiting agencies that have been so good to our students," said Betty Jones, senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. "I'm hoping to plan such a trip each semester, as AdClub has done so well."

Dr. Jones also coordinates the PR student trip to Washington DC each year. This spring, AdPR faculty member Kristen Smith is planning a non-profit PR trip in Atlanta for AdPR students.

"These trips are an important element in our students' education," said Tom Reichert, Department Head for Advertising and Public Relations. "Our students get an opportunity to visit agencies and organizations in Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. We appreciate the work done by our faculty to coordinate these events for our students."