News from AdPR@UGA

AdPR doctoral students win UGA Outstanding Teaching awards

2013-05-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

From left, Adam Avant, Kyongseok 'Kay' Kim, Nadine Billgen and Mark Lashley

Congratulations to Grady College doctoral students Adam Avant, Kyongseok “Kay” Kim, Nadine Billgen and Mark Lashley who were recently recognized by UGA’s Center for Teaching and Learning for this year's Outstanding Teaching Assistant award. Avant, Kim and Billgen are teaching assistants in the AdPR Department, and Lashley is teaching assistant in Telecommunications.

As teachers, Avant taught advertising and communication management, advertising and society, and served as an adviser for advertising campaigns. Kim taught advertising research and media planning, and Billgen taught PR administration and PR Research.

"These three students were recognized by UGA as some of the best doctoral students at the university," said Tom Reichert, AdPR Department Head. "Their teaching evaluations are consistently high and students remark that these instructors are doing an excellent job. I especially appreciate their versatility and top-notch teaching while pursuing their doctoral degrees."

All students have previous work experience. Before attending UGA, Avant was a TV news writer, producer, and an advertising account executive. Kim worked for an advertising agency and a film company before coming to the U.S. Billgen worked as PR manager for internal communication at Faber-Castell in Germany.

When asked what makes them a great TA, the three doctoral students said that they enjoy teaching and providing undergraduates with materials within students' interest zone, and integrating practical examples into classroom activities.

“Having just come out of a career in the field they are going into, I try to think about what can I do that is going to help them. I try to bring in more practical examples, more guests speakers, or simulations.” (Billgen)

“One thing that helps us become better teachers is the support we get. That back and forth and community we have among the graduate students who are teaching is really valuable.” (Avant)

“In my course evaluations, I’m always told by my students that my class is very well organized. Every class I try to show a big picture of the class and remind students where they are so they can coordinate the learning effort by themselves and have a sense of learning. Students can benefit from the teacher, but the teacher can benefit more from the students.” (Kim)

AdPR Professors attend Digital Media Summit

2013-05-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

Dr. Kim, Dr. King, and Dr. Meng at the Digital Media Summit 2013

Drs. Joo Young Kim, Karen Whitehill King and Juan Meng, AdPR professors, attended the Digital Media Summit 2013, held May 14-15, in Atlanta. The event is billed as the largest digital marketing and strategies summit in the Southeast, with over 1500 attendees, and over 100 speakers from leading brands talking about social media, customer engagement, content strategy, mobile marketing and apps, among other topics.

According to Dr. Kim, the two-day event was a “great experience... no question about it. Of many sessions I attended, Brian Wong's (founder and CEO of Kiip) speech on reaching consumers during ‘happiness moments’ on their phones offered a good deal of useful insights for my ad campaigns course.”

The AdPR professors will be using the information gleaned at the summit to enhance their digital/social research and infuse what they learned into the classroom.

PR Major Kaitlin Miller speaks at UGA Spring Commencement

2013-05-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

Kaitlin Miller

Kaitlin Miller was chosen the student speaker for the 2013 Spring undergraduate commencement exercise, held on May 10, inside Sanford Stadium. Originally from Stone Mountain, GA, Miller received triple bachelor’s degrees in Public Relations, Economics, and International Affairs.

While at UGA, Miller was an honor student through Charter Scholar and worked for the Student Government Association since she was a freshman board member. She became vice-president of the association in Spring 2011, and worked with the executive team to maintain and direct the two-hundred member body, as well as chairing the organization’s sixty-five member senate, and representing the student body in a host of university meetings and committees. After graduation, Miller will be in Nashville, Tennessee with LifeWay Christian Resources, writing and editing for the Discipleship Team and division of Church Resources.

“I am most grateful for the opportunity to speak at our commencement because I had so many people to thank, and so many lessons and encouragements to share that continue to challenge me each day. I hope the speech had left all of us feeling brave, and believing that the best thing we can do with our lives is to lay it down for people and things far greater than ourselves. This university has inspired me to live that life over the last four years, and I know the example set for me by my mentors, professors, friends, family and Savior Jesus will continue to do so long after we leave.”

AdPR Alumni Spotlight - Ashley Stockett Hurst ('06)

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Ashley Stockett Hurst currently works in Global Business Development as an Account Director for Social@Ogilvy.

What was your major and when did you graduate? I graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors in May ‘06 with an ABJ in Public Relations.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA? Just before starting at UGA, I met Dr. Betty Jones and she encouraged me to join PRSSA when I arrived on campus – so I did…and it was one of the best -- if not THE best -- decision of my college career. Throughout my four years I held multiple positions on the Executive Board, participated in and eventually lead Creative Consultants, and spearheaded PRofessional Connection (formerly PR Day). I was also part of the inaugural class of Grady Ambassadors with a phenomenal group of fellow classmates.

What are you doing now and how did you get there? I’m currently the Director of Global Business Development for Social@Ogilvy. My career began in traditional PR, but as the industry landscape has evolved immensely in the last seven or eight years, so has my career path. My role – like many others in digital or integrated communications today – tends to blend many elements of PR, marketing and advertising.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?) When you work in business development, no two days are ever the same. I’m frequently traveling to meet with different agencies within Ogilvy to expand our current business and grow our client roster, creating proposals and presentations, leading account team trainings, and leading or participating in new business pitches – both across the US and internationally. When I’m not focused on business development, I’m leading social media strategy and account management for some of our key global clients – British Airways, Nestle and others. It’s busy, but that’s the way I like it! Work hard, play hard … especially in NYC.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? PRSSA not only opened doors for me to network with alums and industry leaders and have access to many different internships that helped me ultimately choose a career path, but Dr. Betty Jones became a mentor to me in more ways than I can count, and I’m forever grateful for her guidance and friendship. But the curriculum, professors and many of my classmates all impacted my career in different ways, and I’m proud to be a part of such a dynamic community.

What is your favorite Grady memory? My favorite? I don’t think I can pick one! There were just too many…but PRSSA exec board dinners at Dr. Jones’ house, hosting the Robert Osborne Film Fest with the Grady Ambassadors, being a part of (what I consider to be) the best Bateman team, and my internship with Twilight – for which a Grady contact introduced/recommended me and through which I ultimately met my husband – would certainly be at the top of the list!

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?
1) Network –- with everyone you can. Classmates, alums, PRSSA/Ad Club speakers, people you meet at industry events … all of them. You never know where you’ll want to go or how your paths may cross down the road, and the more connections you have, the more options you’ll have. Lend a hand when you can, and the favors will come back to you tenfold. 2) Internships – not only do they give you much-needed experience, but they also help you figure out where you’d ultimately like to end up. Try agency life, try non-profit communications, try event-planning…whatever it is, the more you do, the more you learn about your skill set, your interests and where your passions lie. And the earlier you start (it’s never too early, by the way), the more time you have to test-drive career paths. 3) Leadership roles – it’s great to be a member of organizations – especially PRSSA and Ad Club – but the cliché is true: you get out of it what you put into it. You don’t have to be president, but having a leadership role in any organization will help you achieve my first two points with more ease – and it’s certainly noticed among employers/recruiters.

New faculty spotlight: Nate Evans

2013-05-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

Nate Evans

Nate Evans, a doctoral candidate in the School of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, will be joining the Grady faculty this fall as an assistant professor of advertising.

What classes (if any) are you teaching this year? I am currently teaching an Advertising Principles class at the University of Tennessee and am scheduled to teach Advertising and Society at UGA in the fall.

Past academic positions/awards: My past academic positions have been teaching assistant/teaching associate/ and instructor of record. Here are the awards I have received:
- AAA Doctoral Dissertation Grant Competition: Funded by the American Academy of Advertising (AAA)
- Top Student Paper: Advertising Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)

- Kappa Tau Alpha Research Award: Best Student Paper, Advertising Division (AEJMC)

- Competitive Student Travel Grant Award: Funded by AEJMC

- ESPN's Research Funding Award

What are your research interests and why? My program of research focuses on the theoretical and policy implications of interactive and embedded advertising formats. Specifically, my research concentrates on three main areas: 1) parents and children's advergames, including parents' perceptions, understanding, attitudes, and persuasion recognition in children's advergaming formats; 2) social media, in-game advertising (IGA), and massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), which include applications of interpersonal communication theory, schema theory, and associative learning; and 3) larger societal and macro-focused implications of advertising communication, including an emphasis on children's international online advertising regulation.

Are there any projects/publications you're working on that you can share a little about at this time? I was recently working on a piece that will be published in the next issue of the Journal of Advertising. This article examined parents attitudes and perceptions of children's advergaming using Parental Socialization theory. Co-Authors were Dr. Les Carlson (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Dr. Mariea Grubbs Hoy (University of Tennessee). Currently I am working on my dissertation, which tests the influence of advertising disclosures and cognitive load on parents' ability to recognize children's advergames as advertising. In addition to my dissertation I am also working on other manuscripts that focus on a re-conceptualization of the persuasion knowledge model, children's international online advertising regulation, and have future plans to study branded apps for children on tablets and mobile devices.

What are you most looking forward to while you're at Grady/UGA? Perhaps what I am most looking forward to at Grady is working along side some of the most productive and prolific scholars in the field advertising scholarship. I am also looking forward to working with, what I understand to be, some of the most motivated and gifted graduate students. Furthermore, my fiance Taylor Krcek and I recently purchased a house outside Athens in Danielsville. We are excited to begin our lives together as UGA Bulldogs (Formerly I was a Vol and she a Buckeye).

AdPR student spotlight: Rance Nix

2013-05-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Rance Nix

Rance Nix, a junior studying advertising and music business, is from Atlanta.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College? Initially I wanted to be a marketing major with the Terry College of business. However, after reflecting on what I was truly passionate about I decided to apply to Grady College. Now, as an advertising major I am loving all of my classes and I am learning more and more each day.

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens? Here at UGA I am an SGA Senator and Student Representative on the University Council. Both positions have been great opportunities to articulate the views and opinions of the student body and to improve the student experience here at the University of Georgia. I also emcee numerous events on campus for Greek organizations, UGA H.E.R.O.s, and Shop with a Bulldawg. I love hosting and helping the organizations put on successful events.

What kinds of internships have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities? I have not had any internship experience yet. However, I was offered an internship with BBDO Atlanta for this summer. I will be working in the Account Management department and I am really excited to work with one of the best ad agencies in the world.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your internship or work experiences? My classes and professors have been extremely helpful as I start my post-college career. All of my advertising classes and Grady College electives are equipping me with the right knowledge and skills to do well outside of school. Moreover, my professors have not only been teachers, but also amazing mentors.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program? If one of the Ad/PR programs is something that you want to pursue, do it! From my introductory classes to my major classes, I've loved it.

What are your career goals and interests? After I graduate next May I hope to work in advertising. I would also like to be an actor. I enjoy being on stage hosting events and making videos for my friends and fellow students to enjoy. I hope that eventually I can reach an even bigger audience on television or in movies. Either way, whether through advertising or acting, I want to be a positive influence and inspiration to every person that encounters me.

Alumni Spotlight: Arielle D'Avanzo (ABJ '12)

2013-05-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

Arielle D'Avanzo

Arielle D'Avanzo, a 2012 graduate who majored in public relations and minored in Spanish, is originally from Atlanta.

What are you doing now and how did you get there? I'm working at Edelman in Washington, D.C. as an assistant account executive on the Food & Nutrition Team. Knowing that Edelman would provide me with the best experience and training in my field, I applied for the summer internship program prior to graduation. I interviewed for the position and was hired to start in June 2012 on the Food & Nutrition Team. Edelman's internship program is a little different from other companies in that if you're doing an exceptional job after three months, you may have the option to extend your internship for an additional three months. So, after three months of interning I was extended, and then a month later I was hired as a full-time employee on my team. I have been an AAE on the team for about six months now.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA?
- Active member of PRSSA. I served on a variety of PRSSA committees (Service & Outreach Committee; Publications Committee; Publicity Committee; Mentoring Committee)
- I was involved in Creative Consultants for three years serving as a member (for YogaSprouts), assistant account executive (for Porter Novelli's pro-bono client, The Jack& Jill Late-Stage Cancer Foundation) and account executive (for the UGA Women's Ultimate Team)
- I took part in the UGA Agency Tour in D.C.
- Intern with the Grady College Communications/External Relations Team my last year in school.
- Tutor at Chase Street Elementary School.
- Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society.
- Member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?) Because I work on a variety of different accounts, my day is never the same and constantly shifting! But that's quite typical in an agency setting. Some days are devoted to primarily one client, while on other days I can be working on as many as four or five accounts. This work could include media pitching, developing materials such as a press release, talking points and scripts, coordinating logistics for upcoming events, staffing events and compiling media coverage reports.

One thing that always remains the same though is reading the day’s news. I usually spend at least 30 minutes of my day—no matter how busy—reading through clips so that I'm fully knowledgeable about what is going on in the F&N world. Also, Edelman does a wonderful job at providing learning and growth opportunities within the company. So, during any given week I may take part in a diversity training or an Excel how-to course. There are so many opportunities for growth here.

One client I work on is Walmart and its Healthier Food Initiative. In February of this year we held an event at a store in Springfield, Mo. to celebrate the progress Walmart has achieved in making healthy foods more affordable in just three years. What’s more, the First Lady Michelle Obama was interested in celebrating that progress in conjunction with the third anniversary of her Let’s Move! campaign. I worked alongside the Edelman team to manage store event logistics and optics, both in advance and on-site, draft and revise podium remarks, Q&A, fact sheets, talking points for influencer and media calls, and more. It was an incredible experience!

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? All of it! Grady set me up for success. Between Campaigns, Research, Graphic Design classes, I built a strong foundation to start my PR career and am so appreciative of the learning and support I received from the college. Not to mention the staff and professors provided such positive and valuable direction.

What is your favorite Grady memory? In addition to attending the UGA Agency Tour in Washington, D.C., I also really enjoyed ADPRConnection, a networking event with companies from all over Georgia. The event was planned and created by Grady students. I served on the Social Media Committee for this event so it was neat to have both a behind-the-scenes perspective, and then actually get the chance to network with companies and organizations of interest to me. In addition to this, I had so many great memories interning for the Grady College. One that stands out is getting to plan and attend the Grady Alumni Gala, where I was able to meet distinguished graduates from Grady.

I built a strong foundation to start my PR career and am so appreciative of the learning and support I received from the college.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students? I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but the value of networking is crucial in this industry. I attended the UGA Agency Tour when I was in school, and that's where I met someone from the F&N Team at Edelman, who ended up actually interviewing me for the position. Also, when you meet professionals in the field try to send a personal, hand-written thank-you card or note. You’d be surprised how few students actually take time to write these and how much they are appreciated—and noticed. And don't be shy about following up. I know when you don't hear back from someone you might think they're just not interested, but often times they're just super busy, so be sure to diligently and politely follow up. And be tenacious! You want to try your best to be memorable and stand out.

While in school, try and get as much writing experience—of all different forms—as possible. Whether it's writing an email to a client, developing a pitch for a reporter, creating a webinar script or speech, or providing analysis on a particular subject, excellent writing is essential in our world. And it's not always about learning one particular writing style. You may be called on to write web copy, social media content, brochures, speeches, briefing documents and client memos, so keep learning and expanding your writing skills and experiences. And of course, AP writing style is still very important in our business, also.

AdPR students research Millennial media behavior for PHD Worldwide

2013-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

The PHD team, from l. to r., top row: Christabel Belonwu, Stephanie Wright, Rebecca Hoerner, Asia Martin-Ingram. Bottom row: Chelsea Franklin, JoAnn Anderson, Lucas Holt.

Seven graduating Grady students participated in a six-month research initiative to study Millennial consumer behavior for PHD Worldwide, a global media and communications agency. They presented their findings to PHD and some of their clients in New York this March. The program, now in its second year, allows advertising students to get experience in consumer research and have a chance to present their work to a leading global agency.

This year’s “PHD Worldwide – Grady College Creative Collective” consists of: JoAnn Anderson, a second-year master’s student from Lawrenceville with a concentration in advertising; Christabel Belonwu, a senior advertising major from Loganville; Chelsea Franklin, a senior advertising major and Spanish minor from Charlotte, N.C.; Rebecca Hoerner, a senior from Newnan majoring in advertising with a New Media certificate; Lucas Holt, a senior advertising major from Blythe; Asia Martin-Ingram, a senior from Atlanta and Rochester, N.Y., majoring in advertising and psychology; and Stephanie Wright, a senior advertising major from Marietta.

Through focus groups, interviews and surveys, the Creative Collective spoke to Millennials in school and in their careers, and researched hot technologies, information context, digital advertising, television, Facebook and brand storytelling. In addition, they surveyed senior advertising students about their knowledge of different kinds of advertising agencies. Based on the students’ findings, they created a report and delivered a one-hour multimedia presentation and fielded questions about Millennial behavior in a Q&A.

"This project challenged the selected students to move beyond just collecting and analyzing research data to employing critical thinking skills and stretching their thinking to provide real insights for advertisers,” said Dr. Karen King, Jim Kennedy Professor of New Media in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and advisor to the Creative Collective. “Being able to execute and deliver a professional research-based presentation to 30-40 advertising agency executives and their clients in New York is a unique opportunity for our students to showcase their talents. The end product was impressive."

The PHD-Grady team, along with Drs. Tom Reichert, Karen King,
and 2012 PHD-Grady alumna Lexia Farris.

PHD executives enjoyed the research findings, and have plans to expand the program in coming years. “The students really over-delivered and blew away the audience,” said Craig Atkinson, president and chief digital officer at PHD.

“We shared the book with the group account leads and they absolutely loved it. Truly very impressive,” said Tara Nolan, associate director of marketing and communications at PHD.

The students learned from their own research about Millennials. "The research made me more aware of the things going on around me," said Chelsea Franklin, who researched and presented hot technologies and student perceptions of agency work. "I paid closer attention to the conversations my friends had, and really noticed any and every advertising technique."

“I was really surprised about Millennial use of cable television,” said JoAnn Anderson, who researched television and multi-video content. “I expected a lot more cordcutting, but there was a difference in cable subscriber levels between older and younger Millennials based on age, as well as lifestyle and economic factors. It was interesting to find deeper, complex insights in my own generation’s technology use.”

I learned more from this project than I could have ever predicted and it definitely got me excited about the work we'll all soon be doing on a daily basis. - Lucas Holt

“The PHD Worldwide/Grady program challenged me to conduct primary and secondary research among my age group and pull out significant insights for what is so natural to me--Millennial media consumption habits,” said Rebecca Hoerner. “I was given the privilege to work closely with Dr. King and six stellar Grady peers. It was a challenging experience, but I will treasure it forever and it has definitely made me a stronger researcher and advertising student. "

The day of the presentation was a great experience for the student team as well. “When we walked into PHD Worldwide to present our project, I felt as if I was stepping onto a movie set,” said Stephanie Wright, who researched and presented hot technologies. “Everything we said was being filmed and recorded so that they could review our insights. It was at that moment that I realized how big of a deal the Grady program was.”

"Walking into the agency was a bit intimidating, to say the least," said Franklin. “But it was so rewarding, and everyone was completely attentive and awesome."

The opportunity for students to work with PHD Worldwide will be “an experience I will always remember,” said Wright. “Not only did I get exposure to what it's like to work in strategy and insights but I was also able to meet incredible advertising professionals while we were in New York City.”

“Working with PHD on this project was such a great experience from beginning to end,” said Lucas Holt, who researched and presented on digital advertising. “It challenged us with the rare opportunity to explore consumer insights very early in our careers. I learned more from this project than I could have ever predicted and it definitely got me excited about the work we'll all soon be doing on a daily basis.”

PHD Worldwide is part of the Omnicom Group, a global leader in marketing and communications.

Breanna Price chosen for AAF's Most Promising Minority Student Program

2013-04-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Breanna Price

Breanna Price, a senior advertising major from Cuthbert, was recently chosen for the American Advertising Federation's Most Promising Minority Student Program.

The program, now in its 15th year, promises to "provide opportunities to recruit fresh talent, to further prepare advertising’s best young prospects and to help the industry's workforce better reflect the multiculturalism of today's society." The AAF is the oldest national trade organization for advertising.

Price was nominated by her professor, Dr. Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson. While at UGA, Price has been the advertising director for InfUSion Magazine, a social media assistant for the Education Abroad Office in the Office of International Education.

During this semester, the AAF had the students visit media organizations such as DraftFCB, CNN, Deustch and McCann Worldgroup. In addition, students attended workshops, discussions and a career fair attended by agencies such as BBDO, OMD, DDB, Leo Burnett, Digitas, and Saatchi & Saatchi, among others.

"It was the most amazing experience in my life thus far," Price said. I was in New York City for the first time and I met some amazing people. I was able to secure multiple interviews and was able to communicate with representatives from top, sought-after advertising agencies face-to-face. I made sure they learned my name and I learned theirs. We were very busy, but I wouldn't change anything about those three days. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone who is eligible to apply for this program."

Drs. Jones and Strausbaugh-Hutchinson chosen as AdPR top teachers

2013-04-18T10:00:00.001-04:00

Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson and Betty Jones, senior lecturers in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, were recently chosen as the AdPR Top Teachers of the Year. The award is given annually to recognize exceptional AdPR faculty.

Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson

In addition to teaching, Dr. Strausbaugh-Hutchinson is the advisor to UGA AdClub, and teaches the advertising strategy and campaigns courses."I'm so honored to receive this award. I thank my colleagues for their support and my students for all of their hard work and commitment to the learning mission," she said. "It's amazing what they're able to create when they apply all of their combined classroom knowledge. And for that, I'm very proud of them."

Betty Jones

Dr. Betty Jones serves as the advisor to UGA PRSSA, and teaches graphic communication, PR communication and oversees the advertising/public relations graphic laboratory.
"I am honored to be chosen once again as the PR Teacher of the Year," Jones said. " I have amazing students and wonderfully supportive colleagues, all of whom contribute to my success as a teacher."

AdPR Student Spotlight: Stephanie Wright

2013-04-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Stephanie Wright

Stephanie Wright, a senior majoring in advertising, is originally from Aurora, Ontario in Canada and grew up in Marietta, Ga.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College? I actually transferred from the University of Alabama to the University of Georgia after I heard about the reputation of the Journalism program and all of the different programs that they offered. I knew that if I wanted to make an impression in the industry, I needed to get my degree from Grady.

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens? I am currently the President of the UGA AdClub and I absolutely love it. I am able to organize bi-monthly meetings with the help of my executive committee by arranging for advertising professionals to come and speak to our students about their experiences in the industry. We also get the opportunity to organize special events for our club members such as advertising agency tours where they get to experience what it's like to work in an actual agency for a day.

What kinds of internships have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities? During my time at UGA, I have been involved in a variety of internships and opportunities. I worked as a Public Affairs and Communications intern at Coca-Cola Enterprises where implemented community events in the Atlanta area including the Summer Special Olympics, NFL Falcons Summer Camp, and a Boys and Girls Club Renovation. I also served as an Account Executive for The Red & Black student newspaper where I was responsible for curating, managing and budgeting advertising revenue and created marketing campaigns for local clients. Additionally, this past fall, I directed integral aspects of a networking event sponsored by University of Georgia AdClub and PRSSA, BBDO and Porter Novelli Atlanta called ADPR Connection. And most recently, I was given the privilege of conducting research on the Millennial generation and their use of technology for the PHD Worldwide/Grady Creative Collective.

What were the best parts of your internship experiences? I think that the best part of any internship is the opportunity that it gives you to test your abilities as a professional and to learn about how the industry works from your superiors. During all of my internships, I learned that you have to make the most of every opportunity you are given. By challenging myself and always asking what else I could do, I gained knowledge and insights into the industry that were instrumental in my development as a professional.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) will you always remember? I will never forget my summer I spent studying abroad at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. For three weeks, I lived in Juan-les-Pins, France and was given the opportunity to participate in an event that most advertising professionals only dream of going to as a student. By attending this celebration of imagination, I was able to go to workshops and seminars that were conducted by CEOs and CMOs of Fortune 500 companies and meet the individuals who created these inspirational campaigns that were seen around the world at agency-sponsored happy hours.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program? The Grady College of Journalism is a fantastic school that will prepare you for the real world if you take advantage of all of the programs they offer. Be sure to do your research on all of the different opportunities that are available and make a plan so that you can fit all of the things you want to do into your schedule. Also, don't be afraid to talk to your professors and ask for advice. You'll never know what kinds of resources they might have to help you unless you ask.

What are your career goals and interests? Anything that allows for me to combine my love of the advertising industry while being able to utilize and embrace my love of studying human behavior. Ultimately, I think I would love to be either an account manager or work in the strategy and insights department at an advertising agency.

AdPR Alumni Spotlight: Steve Guyer (ABJ '05)

2013-04-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steve Guyer

Steve Guyer (ABJ '05), an advertising major, is originally from Royston, Ga.

What activities/internships were you involved while in Grady/UGA?

Martin Agency Student Workshop (Richmond, VA) ‘05.
Staff Photographer, UGA Bulldogs Athletic Department ‘03-’05.
VP. Interactive Media, UGA Ad Club ‘04-’05.

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

I’m a manager for Viacom’s Kids and Family group, which includes Nickelodeon and Virtual Worlds. I’ve been managing digital initiatives since 2006 when I worked at Grey’s direct marketing and digital agency. In the past, I’ve worked at G2 (part of Grey Group), Experian CheetahMail, AgencyRx (part of the CDM Group Omnicom Group).

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

We wake up each morning trying to find new ways to make Viacom’s kids and family properties more and more educational and fun. We just wrapped nick.com’s LIVE Kids’ Choice Awards experience which supported the on-air show experience on March 23 at 8:00pm.

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

The Campaigns class, definitely. Pulling together teams to do the new business pitches in the Campaigns class was by far the most helpful. Nothing beats real-world experience dealing with other team members. I realized after graduating that while I might take a test on my own, I needed every one of my coworkers to finish projects. Ron Lane was always very supportive of the work that I did and helped me build my confidence.

What is your favorite Grady memory?
There were two experiences that are in my memory:

Traveling to New York was really what kicked it off for me. The school arranges the trip for students every year. The trip is a great opportunity to see what an agency looks like inside and a bit about what the environment is like.
Working on the Campaigns class was a lot of fun. We worked really late and long hours to make the presentation the best it could be. There really is nothing like seeing an idea go from inception to a fully realized product.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?

Meet as many people, resources, colleagues, teachers, professors, athletes, musicians (you get the idea) as you can since you never know when you might want or need to reach out to them for advice or to join you in your project.
Get really involved in any of the projects that you want to take on and drop the ones you aren't interested in (no one cares about a laundry list of clubs if all you did was pay dues--- that makes you a subscriber, not a member).
Get ready to work really really hard!

PR senior Rebeka Geer honored as a Pandora Outstanding Leader

2013-04-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Rebeka Geer

Rebeka Geer, a senior public relations major and speech communication minor, was recently chosen as a Pandora Outstanding Senior Leader. The award, from UGA's yearbook, "honors senior students who have gone above and beyond throughout their college career in their commitment to leadership, academics, campus involvement and community service." Students were chosen by a panel of judges from UGA faculty and staff, and were honored in a reception earlier this month.

Geer has worked as a Coca-Cola intern, and was an AdPR Connection 2012 co-chair. In addition, she recently completed a personal goal of climbing in Nepal to Mt. Everest.

"Rebeka Geer is a natural-born leader," said Betty Jones, a senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. "She is a bright, articulate, impressive young woman. As co-director of the 2012 ADPR Connection, she helped put together an outstanding networking opportunity for all our majors. I'm pleased to see that she is being recognized as an outstanding senior by Pandora."

"I'm honored to be recognized as an outstanding senior leader," Geer said. "It's important to me that I always give back to the community and people who have played such a crucial role in my development."

UGA's PRSSA gears up for spring Atlanta agency tour

2013-03-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

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."

Ad PR Professors find that large-screen TV viewing is good news for advertisers

2013-03-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dean Krugman

New AdPR research sheds light on advertising viewed on large-screen televisions. Professor Emeritus Dean Krugman and Professor Spencer Tinkham recently published their findings in the Journal of Advertising Research, entitled, "The Big Picture for Large-Screen Television Viewing: For Both Programming and Advertising, Audiences Are More Attentive, More Absorbed, and Less Critical." The researchers use focus groups and a national survey to examine large-screen viewing and respondents' attitudes toward advertising and programming.

Spencer Tinkham

Large-screen televisions are much more pervasive than ever before. Krugman and Tinkham found that large-screen viewers are less skeptical of advertising than small-screen viewers, feel more positive toward advertising, and pay more attention to commercials and programming.

"Large-screen viewers were more absorbed in television programming—a phenomenon that mediates the impact of screen size on attention, evaluation, and skepticism toward television advertising," said Krugman.

Alumni spotlight: Scott Sparks (ABJ '10)

2013-03-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Scott Sparks

Scott Sparks, a 2010 graduate who majored in advertising and earned a New Media certificate, is originally from Athens, Ga.

What are you doing now and how did you get there? I work as a strategist at 360i. I started as an intern at Translation, an agency I first learned about through one of the UGA AdClub agency tours in NYC. After interning, the agency extended an offer for a full time position in the spring of my senior year. After two years there, I found a more digital-focused opportunity at 360i.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?) I help brands navigate the rapidly-changing marketing landscape, always making sure our endeavors are laddering back up to aligned-upon strategic objectives. My day-to-day changes a lot, but is typically filled with the crafting of briefs, writing of decks, various meetings or brainstorms with teams across the agency, and presentations to clients. I currently work on Hanes, NBC Olympics, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental. In a nutshell, I do whatever's needed to make sure we're always staying on strategy for each of my brands.

What activities/internships were you involved while in Grady/UGA? Ad Club, HSBT, NMI, Student Union.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? I can honestly say that I've used learnings from the majority of my Grady classes in my career thus far. I'd say my extracurricular activities (i.e. Ad Club, HSBT, study abroad) were even more helpful though. I would never be where I am today if I hadn't gotten involved in AdClub, visited Translation on an agency tour in NYC & stayed in touch with fellow alumnus, Rosie Siman (who was working at Translation at the time).

What is your favorite Grady memory? Dressing up as the Easter Bunny for an AdClub Easter egg hunt for some of the Grady professors' children. It got ridiculously hot hopping around in that suit, but was really fun (& hilarious) at the same time.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students? Get involved in clubs & activities outside of classes. Don't just do it to put it on your resume, but have fun with it! You'd be surprised at the friendships & memories you'll make along the way. Also to that point, make real connections with people whenever possible. Connections, not solely the trading of business cards at networking events, are what can help you get to that next step in your career. Real connections & relationships, not solely the trading of business cards at networking events, are what can help you get to that next step in your career.

Find me on Twitter via @scottwsparks. Go Dawgs!

Grady AdPR partners with Creative Circus for course program

2013-03-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Grady AdPR and the Creative Circus are partnering to offer "Summer at the Circus," an innovative academic summer program that offers creative-track classes emphasizing creative strategy, writing, art direction, advanced web design, game development and more. Creative Circus, a top-level, two-year creativity school in Atlanta, offers portfolio development in areas such as advertising, interactive development, photography and design.

"This program is a creativity boot camp," said Dr. Tom Reichert, AdPR Department Head. "We are very excited to partner with one of the best portfolio schools in the country to offer students a better creative understanding and skill set."

Courses will be taught and administered by UGA faculty. Creative Circus professionals-in-residence will offer several specialized modules during the courses, so that students get hands-on mentoring and feedback from front-line professionals.

"I can't tell you how excited we in the department are about this opportunity. It will put the creative experience that Grady undergraduate advertising majors get on par with the few schools in the nation (such as Texas at Austin) who have a specified creative track," said Dr. Kirsten Strausbaugh-Hutchinson, senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. "It will give our students an absolutely immersive summer experience that should provide a taste of the portfolio school environment, mindset and work ethic. And they'll bring their learning back to the classroom at Grady and to their peers. It's a win-win situation all around."

Grady students who take Summer Circus classes can earn up to six credit hours of upper-level UGA academic credit. Financial aid and HOPE may apply for qualified students. Students will take classes in Atlanta, and will have access to housing at Emory University or Georgia Tech.

The deadline to apply for the Summer at the Circus program is March 31. More details can be found here.

AdPR Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Zagorski

2013-02-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Sarah Zagorski

Sarah Zagorski is a native of Roswell and a 2012 graduate who majored in advertising with a New Media certificate.

What are you doing now and how did you get there? Currently, I work for a strategic advertising agency called Media Storm. Our office is based in SoHo in New York City and I am a Planning Coordinator on 3 major accounts including Connecticut Tourism, Loehmann’s, and a children’s television network, The HUB. I was initially connected with my current boss through a mutual UGA professor we shared (Dr. Karen King, get to know her!) Dr. King was my faculty advisor for a fellowship program I participated in the Spring semester of my senior year with PHD (the agency was recently named AdWeek’s Global Media Agency of the Year).

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?) One of the BEST aspects of this job is that no day is the same. Requests and new projects are constantly rolling in which only expedites the learning experience. I am consistently being exposed to innovative methods, thought processes, and challenges that may need tackling that particular day (some of which I never would have expected when I first walked in the door that morning). This means I am NEVER bored and I always leave work feeling an immense sense of accomplishment. In terms of interesting projects in general, one facet of the business I often get to work on is New Business research. The compelling thing about New Business is you have the opportunity to research a product, category, industry, or brand you may not know anything about initially. Also, being able to say you helped lay a foundation that wins your agency a client is pretty cool if you ask me.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA? Sigma Kappa Sorority, UGA AdClub (Vice president of Fundraising), HSBT (Director of New Business), Barberito’s Franchising, Inc. (Advertising and Marketing Intern).

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? I have nothing but AMAZING things to say about my experience at Grady, the curriculum and the professors associated with the school. Grady, without a doubt, helped prepare me for my career in advertising and, perhaps more importantly than anything else, helped fuel the passion that I have for this industry. In terms of being the most helpful though, I would have to say my participation in the PHD Creative Collective program was most directly influential to my career today. PHD is a global media agency and my senior year I had the opportunity, along with four other Grady seniors, to participate in a research assignment for the agency to analyze and understand the media habits of Millennials. After compiling our research, the five of us were flown up to the New York PHD office to present our findings in front of about 30 industry executives and some of their clients as well. PHD put me in touch with Dr. King (I never had her as a professor for any classes otherwise) who then put me in touch with my boss at Media Storm, and I certainly have the PHD program to thank for that.

What is your favorite Grady memory? I would probably have to say the Chicago Agency Tour I went on Fall semester my Senior year with AdClub. I had never been to Chicago and the opportunity to experience a new city and visit some of the best agencies in the country (Leo Burnett, Edelman, Digital Kitchen) was such an incredible experience. Just being part of the conversation and having the chance to experience the passion these industry leaders willingly dish out first-hand really made the trip a memorable one for me.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students?
- Put in the time to do your research about where you want to end up on the front end, whether that is an agency of three or 3000, try and develop some sense of what you think will fit your personality best (or at least what you want to try out first) before applying to jobs.
- Don’t be afraid to pick up and leave! Think about what uprooting your life, or staying in the same place will mean long term (a pros and cons list will be your best friend here). Moving to New York City was a HUGE change for me but the personal growth I have experienced because of it in the last six months has been truly incredible. I have learned more about myself and what I want moving forward in my life and in my career than I ever thought I could have.
- Talk to as many people in the industry as possible and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. I was literally sitting at a bus stop in Austin, Texas and I noticed the guy next to me had a notepad with an Austin Advertising agency on it. We exchanged emails and just last month I passed on his information to a friend interested in working at his agency. Take some self-directed initiative and reach out to that contact you have been meaning to forever! You never know who will help you land a job!
- INTERN INTERN INTERN! A no-brainer but paid opportunity or not, it’s SO important to jump on any chance you have to get industry experience BEFORE you graduate! (I had 5 internships all together!) Media Storm has a Summer Internship Program! Feel free to send me your resume and I’ll be happy to share some additional information.
- Make some business cards (Vista Print)! They don’t have to be anything fancy but always good to have. In my experience, being able to hand out a business card to an unassuming industry professional can really speak volumes, especially when it comes to first impressions. (Save the business cards you collect too!
- Lastly, I want to suggest one of the latest books I’ve read: The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay. Definitely a great read when it comes to 20-something post-grad realities. If you want some really decent advice about work, relationships and how your brain is functioning and developing right now, pick this one up.

Of course, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about what it’s like to live and work in advertising in New York City. Grady got me here in the first place, I figure the least I can do is try and give a little back!

PhD Student Spotlight: Olesya Venger

2013-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Olesya Venger

Olesya Venger, a second-year Ph.D student studying advertising, is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Where did you complete your undergraduate and master's work?
University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy," Marquette University and University of Pennsylvania.

What helped you decide to choose Grady's AdPR program for your PhD degree? Grady's AdPR program has a great reputation when it comes to advertising in academia and industry. I came to Grady hoping to conduct interdisciplinary research that would be at the intersection of sex appeal advertising, online advertising regulations, and social change. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication gave me the opportunity to do so.

What are your areas of interest for research or for a future career path, and why?
Been born and raised in Ukraine, I saw mothers who got phone calls from their daughters held abroad by force as sex slaves. In my work I am exploring the connections between online advertising and human trafficking.

What kinds of classes do you teach at Grady (if any)? What kinds of topics do you cover in those classes? I am fortunate to teach ADPR5140, Advertising and Society, which is a truly remarkable,discussion-based and thinking-oriented course. In this course students explore topics related to advertising as social communication (e.g., depictions of gender, race and sex in advertising). The goal of the course is to look at what advertising tells us about society and our place in it. Also, this course strives to look at advertising in its social context: a consumer culture, a capitalist economy, an increasingly-concentrated commercial media system, a democratic political system.

What kinds of activities (work, internships, etc.) have you been involved in during your graduate experience? There are two summers that contributed greatly to shaping my research personality. With the support of the Annenberg School for Communication Summer Culture Program, I conducted research on pleasure service advertising in the countries of destination for sex slaves (Singapore, Hong Kong). With the support of the Consortium on Media Policy Studies COMPASS program, I conducted research on controversial advertising practices online and interactive advertising regulations in North America and the European Union.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your graduate program? It is hard to single out somebody in particular. Grady has a pléiade of advertising and public relations gurus. Everyone of them has contributed immensely to my understanding of the field.

What's been your favorite part about living in Athens? The feeling of community and being welcomed. I felt it when I got on the bus on the evening of Cinco de Mayo. The bus was almost empty. The road was long. Two guys with musical instruments hopped on the bus. They started playing melodies of the old South. Passengers turned off their musical devices. Somebody started filming the musicians with the smart phone. They continued playing. No, this spirit has not gone with the wind. It is still here.

What are your career goals? To teach. To do research. They haven't changed that much since I started graduate work.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR graduate program? Everybody is different. When coming to Grady I knew exactly what I wanted to do here, and why it is important for me to be here at this stage of my life. Advice? Follow your passion. But make sure it is a real one. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, to fail multiple times. What does not kill us makes us stronger.

Student Spotlight: Katherine Keng

2013-02-11T09:23:00.000-05:00

Katherine Keng, a senior majoring in public relations and English, is from Marietta.

What encouraged you to apply to Grady College? I was decidedly undecided throughout freshman year. In terms of majors, all I knew was that I wanted to be in a line of work where writing would be a key tenet in my daily duties. I stumbled upon public relations, whereupon I was unclear about what such practitioners did. As I learned about the work, I realized that good PR underpinned the growth of my dad’s startup company. I applied for Grady because I believe every organization should invest in good PR, and I wanted to be one of the people making it happen.

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens? I am a part of UGA’s Honors Program, which has given me unique learning opportunities through Socratic Circle-type classes, lunchbox lectures and faculty mentor network. I am also involved with PRSSA and Creative Consultants. Currently I am working with EcoFocus Film Festival, a local environmental film organization. The setup is great because we have a lot of flexibility and room for creative idea sourcing. The best part for me is collaborating with same-age peers, which I haven’t been able to do much of in past internships. I was a contributing writer and copy editor for Little Red Book, a campus fashion magazine, and Chinese Language Society member and Alpha Lambda Delta service society member for three years.

What kinds of internships have you been involved in, and what were your responsibilities? Last summer I interned with JMC, LTD., the manufacturing partner of Ford Motors in China. I was JMC’s first intern, so experimentation was a running theme, and being in a foreign country upped the excitement. I took charge of the corporate newsletter, integrating my bilingualism and writing skills to write feature stories, reports on competitors and company updates. During this process I learned to digest and translate annual reports and also grew my Photoshop and InDesign capabilities. I also rewrote parts of the company’s English website for higher readability and web presence and sat in daily on marketing meetings and presentations to collate a higher understanding of branding.

What were the best parts of your internship experiences? The best part of my internship experience was being immersed in a different culture. It was a lot of fun but also made me appreciate certain aspects of American work culture more. I also engaged with some Chinese social media outlets. Though I learned a lot about the consumer mindset and social landscape, exploring the content on those sites did not feel at all like work.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your internship or work experiences? I’ve been lucky to have a roster of top-notch teachers. The Dr. Jones team has been especially wonderful. Dr. Barry Jones sharpened my writing skillset, while Dr. Betty Jones’ graphics communications class taught me many new things and had high real world relevance. I ended up with pieces for my portfolio after all their classes and really appreciated that the Drs. Jones were so helpful on any matter, both in and out of class. Dr. Leara Rhodes, my Honors faculty mentor, has also been incredibly generous with advice and time. All three of these professors take real interest in their students’ lives – I think that’s amazing.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an Ad/PR program? My advice would be to work on creating a brand for yourself. Find something that others don’t have and use that to an advantage. It’s not new advice, but especially in AdPR careers, a brand name can go a long way. (Of course, you also have to start with hard work in order to back up that brand!)

What are your career goals and interests? My short-term career goal is to find a position in either branding or corporate social responsibility. I realize that true social responsibility is not just participating in a program or two but actual integration of social and environmental considerations into an organizational vision. The idea of helping to transform an organization for the better really appeals to me. I’m interested in newness in all its forms (cool-hunting, technology, etc.), but I also know that some things, like being part of a good cause, transcend trends.

Alumni spotlight: Katelyn Fish (ABJ '12)

2013-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Katelyn Fish

Katelyn Fish, a native of Johns Creek, graduated in May 2012 with bachelor's degrees in advertising and psychology.

What are you doing now and how did you get there? I have been working as an Assistant Account Executive at Lovell Communications in Nashville, Tennessee for two months. I graduated from UGA in May of last year, and continued my job search in Atlanta and Nashville. I knew I wanted to stay in the south, but wasn’t dead set on Atlanta. I had visited a friend in Nashville earlier in the year and loved it’s vibrant, fun, young atmosphere. It’s the best combination of Atlanta and Athens, still a fairly big city, with a small town feel. A few weeks into summer, I landed an internship in the marketing department of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP in Atlanta. I actually found the internship through the AdPR group on LinkedIn. In October, I reached out to previous contacts I had made in Atlanta and Nashville, and I found myself with an amazing opportunity at Lovell Communications, a national public relations, marketing and crisis management firm in Nashville. I moved up here the day after Thanksgiving and couldn’t be happier.

What is your day-to-day like at your job? (Any interesting projects that you can share with us?)The thing I love most about my job, and really working in public relations in general, is that every day is different. One day I could be creating a media list and updating social media accounts, and the next I could be at a client’s office training them on how to interact with the media. Primarily, I do a lot of media relations, whether that’s creating media lists, pitching stories to reporters, or sending out press releases about our clients events. I also blog frequently for our firm, as well as update our social media accounts. The amount of knowledge and experience you will gain in just the first few months of your job is incredible.

What activities were you involved while in Grady/UGA? When I was a freshman I wanted to get involved in everything that I could. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in communications before I even set foot on UGA’s campus. I immediately joined PRSSA my freshman year and looked for ways to get involved. I was a part of Creative Consultants for two years, one year as an assistant account executive. Additionally, I co-directed the first ADPR Connection in the fall of 2012, and was on executive board my senior year. In addition to PRSSA, I was active in UGA HEROs, serving on the corporate relations committee and as a team leader for a group of freshmen. I was a member of the Panhellenic sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and held a position as the philanthropy coordinator. Being a “puppy walker” for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, raising a black lab puppy named Hope, was probably one of my favorite UGA experiences. For fun, I was very active in UGA intramurals and worked a part-time job for part of my junior and senior years.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your career today? Every part of my Grady experience benefited me in some way in my career. Joining PRSSA was probably the most important first step. By joining PRSSA, I formed so many relationships with classmates and professors. Dr. Betty Jones, the PRSSA adviser, has been one of the most influential people in my life as I do not know where I would be without her. She is an amazing mentor and has had a tremendous impact on my career development. Additionally, being a member of PRSSA gave me the opportunity to co-direct ADPR Connection where I was able to build and develop skills that are so important for being successful in your career. I managed four different committees, created an entire event from concept to execution, formed an overwhelming amount of connections with industry professionals in Atlanta, and honed my writing skills along the way. The networking alone from ADPR Connection is one of the primary reasons for my success today.

What is your favorite Grady memory? One of my absolute favorite memories from my Grady experience was traveling to Washington, D.C. with PRSSA to tour a variety of public relations agencies and network with Grady alumni. Grady has so many wonderful opportunities that you can take advantage of to help direct you down whatever career path you want to take.

What advice do you have for current AdPR students? Network, network, network! I can’t say it enough. Your classes will provide you with the foundation you need, but absolutely nothing beats real world experience. The only way you’re going to get that experience is making connections with people in your field of study that can help you secure that extremely important internship. You can never have too many contacts, and you can learn something from every person that you meet. That being said, feel free to email me for any advice or questions that you have, especially if you’re interested in moving to Nashville. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn as well.

AdPR Internship Spotlight: Dana Balch

2013-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dana Balch

Dana Balch is a junior from Alpharetta majoring in public relations.

Where do you intern? I am a PR intern for Amy Flurry, a local author.

What are your responsibilities? I get to do so much! I help build media lists, assist her in pitching media, and occasionally write for her blog.

What valuable information or skills have you learned thus far at your internship? I learned that you can call just about anyone! I was compiling a list of magazine editors for her, and was shocked by how easy it was to get an editor on the phone. She also taught me a lot about public relations. After reading her book, Recipe for Press, I used the tools to promote my blog, Athens Street Style. We received both local and national coverage!

What activities are you involved in at Grady/UGA/Athens? I am a member of PRSSA. Through PRSSA I work with Creative Consultants, the on-campus PR firm. Our client this year is the National MS Society. I also run a street style photography blog that features well-dressed students.

What part of your Grady experience (classes, professors, etc.) has been helpful in your internship or work experience? PRSSA and Dr. Betty Jones have been such a help. I’m going to Washington D.C, my dream city, with PRSSA this month to tour agencies. I’ve made contacts by attending meetings and through Creative Consultants, I’ve gained valuable work experience.

What has been the best part of your internship experience? Amy often has us meet with local artists, bloggers and professionals. We spend the first hour learning about their career and getting a our of their creative space, and then the second half we talk about growing Recipe for Press. I love having such a hands on experience with a company that is just starting out. Every success is very exciting!

What are your career goals? I hope to work in the fast paced world of agencies. Maybe even start my own one day!

Study finds UGA PR program most prolific in online PR research

2013-01-30T10:00:00.002-05:00

Kaye Sweetser

University of Georgia public relations faculty ranked number one in a recent analysis of research about "online" public relations efforts. The study was conducted by Drs. Lan Ye and Eyun-Jung Ki, faculty at the University of Alabama, and was published in the Journal of Public Relations Research, Vol. 24, No. 5, 2012. The analysis examined peer-reviewed articles published from 1992 to 2009.

The University of Georgia ranked first with a calculated score of 9.24, followed most closely by the University of Florida with a score of 3.66, Rutgers University with a score of 3.65, and the University of Maryland with a score of 3.00. Associate professor Kaye Sweetser led the UGA public relations faculty with nine published articles relating to online public relations, followed by Professor Lynne Sallot with four articles, Associate Professor Bryan Reber with three articles, Professor Ruthann W. Lariscy with two articles and Associate Professor Carolina Acosta-Alzuru with one article.

"UGA's ADPR department received a score of 9.24 in this study.That score is a combination of the number of articles produced by the university and the number of researchers from that university," said Dr. Reber. "The second-best university in this study was Florida with a score of 3.66. So, you can see that Georgia really dominated in research about online public relations."

To compute the scores, the study assigned a credit of 1.0 to each article. For a single-author article, the author and the author's institution was assigned 1.0 credit. For multi-authored submissions, the authors and their institutions would receive partial credit. For a two-author article, an author would receive a credit of 0.5, while a three-author submission would give each author a 0.33 score.

"The results of this analysis show that University of Georgia is the top source of cutting-edge knowledge about the nature and effects of social and digital public relations practice," said Tom Reichert, Department Head of Advertising and Public Relations. "Our public relations faculty are leading the field in this important area of scholarship."

Grady at Oxford Offers International Media Learning Opportunities

2013-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

The 2012 Grady at Oxford students.

The UGA at Oxford program, now in existence for more than 20 years, offers many opportunities for Grady students to travel and study international media. Last summer, Grady students took classes taught by Dr. Karen King, Jim Kennedy Professor of New Media, and by an Oxford don. For Dr. King's Society and Mass Media class, students blogged about the backdrop of the 2012 Summer Olympics to examine the media.

In addition, Grady students had a chance to have a firsthand look at UK media. They took tours of BBC, Mediacom UK, and the Financial Times, where they visited with a Grady graduate, Chris Grimes. In addition, students learned from Vicki Michaelis, Grady's Carmical Distinguished Professor in Sports Journalism and Society, who was there to cover the Olympics.

This year, the program will run from June 30 to August 9, and the Grady seminar offered will be JRLC 5080, International Mass Communication, taught by Leara Rhodes, Associate Professor of Journalism. Students will be housed in the historic Trinity College, founded in 1555, or the UGA at Oxford Center. The deadline for the Grady at Oxford program is January 25 and more information can be found here.

Students research Millennial consumers in PHD Worldwide-UGA partnership

2013-01-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

The PHD-Grady Creative Collective with Dr. King (not pictured: Chelsea Franklin)

Seven ADPR students were chosen for this year's PHD Worldwide – Grady College Research Fellows Program. The collaborative media planning program, now in its second year and exclusive to UGA, allows graduating Grady students an opportunity to research Millennial consumer/media behavior with PHD, a global media and communications agency, and report their findings at PHD Media’s offices in New York. The students are advised by Dr. Karen King, Jim Kennedy Professor of New Media, in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations.

This year’s “PHD Media – Grady College Creative Collective” consists of: JoAnn Anderson, a second-year master’s student from Lawrenceville with a concentration in advertising; Christabel Belonwu, a senior advertising major from Loganville; Chelsea Franklin, a senior advertising major and Spanish minor from Charlotte, N.C.; Rebecca Hoerner, a senior from Newnan majoring in advertising with a New Media certificate; Lucas Holt, a senior advertising major from Blythe; Asia Martin-Ingram, a senior from Atlanta and Rochester, N.Y., majoring in advertising and psychology; and Stephanie Wright, a senior advertising major from Marietta.

"We are very appreciative that our best media students have an opportunity to work with one of the best media agencies in the world," said Tom Reichert, Department Head for Advertising & Public Relations at UGA. "Our students learn a tremendous amount about media and share their findings with PHD. It's a true win-win relationship."

The collaborative program was launched in 2011 to give students an opportunity to work on real-world challenges in the media area, as well as the opportunity for talent identification for PHD. Last year’s inaugural Creative Collective students researched several timely questions related to media-multitasking, mobile payments, and prevalence and attitudes related to online streaming. The first PHD-Grady cohort landed jobs quickly after graduation in cities such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Scottsdale. In fact, Lexy Farris, one of last year's participants, was hired by PHD and is serving as the liaison for this year's Collective.

This year's six-month initiative project allows students to research a new set of questions focused on Millennial media consumption related to television, digital advertising, Facebook, emerging media and brand storytelling. In addition to being flown to New York to present their findings to PHD, each student will also receive a $500 stipend.