AdPR Student Spotlight: Jamie Gottlieb

Jamie Gottlieb is a senior public relations major and sociology minor with a New Media Institute Certificate. Jamie is from Alpharetta, Ga.

Jamie Gottlieb, senior PR student 

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College?  

I've always wanted to be a part of the media industry, and there's no better place to get a media education than from Grady College — it just earned the No. 2 spot in the country!

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

Throughout my four years at UGA, I've participated in many different organizations. I've been an editor at The Red & Black, promotions director for TEDxUGA, Peabody Awards student judge, Creative Consultants assistant account executive and Grady Ambassador. Outside of media, I'm a member of Sigma Delta Tau, Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa.

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

Most recently, I worked as the social media intern for NBC News in New York City. I absolutely loved working for the network and being in the city. While there, I created videos for NowThis, MSNBC on-air and MSNBC's Instagram. Also, I put together social trend reports for NBC News' various brands and managed an internal social networking platform.

In previous summers, I worked as the digital engagement intern for Turner Broadcasting's Talent Development team as well as an editorial intern for Cygnus Business Media.

What were the best parts of these experiences?

Being able to create, develop and execute work that mattered. While at NBC, I was contributing to the network even as an intern. I gained a true sense of independence while living in New York and loved every minute of it.

What part of your Grady experience has been helpful in your internship or work experiences?

Developing relationships and garnering advice from professors and alumni. Though classes teach skill, professors and alumni will help you focus on what you want to do and how to do it well.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing the AdPR program?

Take advantage of study abroad and opportunities through Grady! Also, make sure to get outside experience away from the classroom. Whether through an internship or a student organization, experience makes you more competitive and strategic when working with clients.

What are your career goals and interests?

I plan on pursuing social and digital strategy, whether at an entertainment company or digital agency. I'd love to focus on brand partnerships or content development — hopefully in New York City!

You can follow Jamie Gottlieb via her website and Twitter.

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.

PR major Jordan Thomas attends Diversity Awards thanks to T. Howard Foundation

Jordan Thomas

Jordan Thomas, a junior majoring in Public Relations and Sport Management from Trenton, NJ, was recently chosen to attend the Diversity Awards with the T. Howard Foundation. 

The T. Howard Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides minorities aspiring to work within the multimedia industry with a full-time paid summer internship, networking opportunities, professional development training, scholarships, mentors, among others. The mission of the T. Howard Foundation is “to diversify the multimedia and entertainment industry by increasing the representation of minority young men and women within the industry. The Foundation defines minority students as those who self identify as African-American/Black, Asian/Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic, Multi-Racial, Native American, Pacific Islander or South Asian.”

Thomas applied online and this is his second award with the T. Howard Foundation. Last summer he worked as an intern at Comcast. “There, I worked as a PR intern in one of their regional offices in Trevose, PA. I worked under VP of PR for the region, Jeff Alexander,” said Thomas.

This summer, Thomas is interning in the Corporate Communications division of ESPN at their headquarters in Bristol, CT. “I am most excited about working with the organization this year. They put me in contact with Susan Grouse, HR coordinator with ESPN, and she led me to their communications department.” 

Thomas is also active on campus through a diversity of leadership roles. He is the marketing coordinator for The Red & Black, where he works with advertising sales to generate new accounts and assist with existing accounts. Furthermore, Thomas is the Resident Assistant of the Professional Entertainment & Sports Association (PESA). “I create programming, company visits, and workshops for individuals aspiring to work within the entertainment industry as a Sports Business Director” said Thomas. “I also keep students aware of all of the programs and events on UGA's campus as the Public Relations representative of the student programming board - University Union.”