Elevate Georgia Strategic Communications Symposium 2018 offered more than 30 breakout sessions, panels, workshops, and keynotes, featuring an impressive list of industry experts, university leaders, and campus marketing professionals.
2018 Speakers
Greg Abel
Greg graduated from UGA’s Grady College of Journalism, and began his career at McCann-Erickson and Fitzgerald+Co. He jumped on the digital wave early by joining mega-consultancy US Web/CKS (later marchFIRST). In 2001, Greg co-founded Tailfin, which has grown into a diverse marketing and creative services agency with a wide range of clients.
Higher education marketing is littered with language pitfalls. Platitudes run rampant, brand voices ring hollow, and storytelling can be generic and inauthentic. With a more thoughtful approach to messaging – and some tips and tricks – higher ed communicators can discover their best stories and tell them with clarity and consistency.
Brynn Bardacke
During her 20-year advertising career, Brynn has since had the privilege of working for the world’s most respected marketing organizations including Apple, The Coca-Cola Company, Nike, and TBWA\Chiat\Day. In her current role as Vice President, Content & Creative Excellence at The Coca-Cola Company, you’ll often find Brynn enjoying a frozen Coke while overseeing the development of advertising in North America.
The Coca-Cola Company has always believed in the responsibility and the opportunity to use our power to create significant positive change in the world. Doing work that promotes more goodness in the world is simply doing good business. We call this work “Work That Matters”.
Janet Beckley
Janet Beckley has been telling UGA's unique stories across web/print platforms for the past 20 years. Her latest project involved refreshing the Visitors Center environment, turning UGA's stories into learning and immersive experiences that would connect and engage the over 30,000 prospective students & families who visit the University annually.
Environmental graphics inspire engagement, enrich relationships, and deepen the connection between faculty, staff, students and alumni with shared experiences and place. This session explores creative and economical ways to design and integrate brand, core values, messages and culture into physical spaces that inform, inspire and connect.
Nick Bragg
Award winning videographer, producer, editor, and storyteller. Has helped lead video rebranding for University of Washington and University of Georgia.
How to make a video with little or no prior experience. Class focuses on taking a video project from conception to delivery. Covers: best practices, available resources, equipment, software, editing.
Chuck Carrier
After ten years as a musician and songwriter, Chuck entered the agency world at Fletcher Martin. Soon, he moved to the creative side as a writer and producer, developing integrated campaigns for the University of Florida, BMW Global, and Robinson College of Business. Chuck has been leading the creative effort at Tailfin for over three years.
Higher education marketing is littered with language pitfalls. Platitudes run rampant, brand voices ring hollow, and storytelling can be generic and inauthentic. With a more thoughtful approach to messaging – and some tips and tricks – higher ed communicators can discover their best stories and tell them with clarity and consistency.
Leslie Colvin
Leslie leads Marketing Research and Reporting for the Division of Marketing & Communications at the University of Georgia. Leslie came to UGA with over 15 years of advertising and marketing experience. In her current role, she is focused on supporting the UGA brand and assists with the management of databases, dashboards and data research.
We will show you the basics of Google Data Studio and enable you to unlock the true value of data when converted into insights. With Google Data Studio, you can turn your data into informative dashboards and monthly reports that are easy to read, easy to share and fully customizable.
Katie DeGenova
Katie DeGenova (ABJ ’06) joined the UGA team 2.5 years ago as the Sr Director of Communications for DAR after lead digital marketing strategy for the Got Milk? Milk Mustache and the Built with Chocolate Milk campaigns. Prior to that, she worked at several marketing agencies, including: JWT in Atlanta, McKinney in Durham, and Wunderman in D.C.
Identifying and understanding your target audience is the most important step in building any marketing plan. Thinking from the perspective of your target audience will not only help you build an effective communication plan, but also craft relevant messages. Today, digital technology enables hyper-targeting, and we all have the tools to specify a unique message to a specific target.
James Hataway
James Hataway is an editor, writer and media relations manager in the Division of Marketing and Communications at the University of Georgia. He has a master’s degree in Health and Medical Journalism and has worked as a public information officer, science writer, magazine editor and newspaper journalist.
In this short workshop, we will discuss different ways to encourage faculty to share their research results with communicators in a timely manner; how to assuage their fears about working with the media; and how to reassure them that campus communicators have their best interests at heart.
Not all content is created equal, but all content can be successful. In this session, we’ll identify the different vehicles for your content, what criteria your content should meet to be successful in each medium, and share a quick-reference guide. Bring your favorite piece of unsuccessful content and two upcoming stories that need good homes.
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson has been Director of the UGA Visitors Center since 2007. Previously he was Director of New Student Orientation and worked in the UGA Admissions Office for 15 years. Before coming to UGA, he was Press Secretary and Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman George (Buddy) Darden.
Current students will answer questions from the audience.
Dorothy Kozlowski
Dorothy is a photographer with UGA Marketing and Communications. She earned her degrees from UGA in Landscape Architecture and Journalism, and has been working with the division since 2009.
This will be a very interactive discussion of photography using our cameras, lighting setups and mobile devices. We will cover how to use logistics and teamwork to put yourself in the best situation possible to make better pictures. We’ll also discuss different approaches and shooting and lighting techniques you can use on future projects. We will close the session with techniques for mobile transmission and electronic releases.
Julie Lauderbaugh
Julie Lauderbaugh is the owner of Wordie Strategic Communications, a small firm in South Florida focused on melding strategy with story. She has 15 years of experience in higher education, writing, strategizing and leading teams of wily word nerds from admissions to Advancement. She has helped launch major brand or fundraising campaigns at the University of Washington, University of Florida, and UC San Diego.
Calling all word nerds! Learn tips and tricks for incorporating the UGA brand into your ad copywriting for print, television, radio and digital. This workshop will look at examples of best practices in higher education and beyond. Our agenda will be a combination of theory and practice, so get ready write.
Peter Lee
Peter attended UGA from 2009 to 2013. After college, he spent some time freelancing and tutoring K-12 students. In 2016, he got a chance to return to Georgia, where he creates materials to communicate UGA’s academic messages to the world. He also advocates UGA’s visual identity, working with campus communicators to elevate the university’s brand.
“Hey boss, do you like this ad I designed?” “Looks great! Now can you animate it?” Did your heart just sink? Let’s change that! We’ll learn how to use movement to make your ads more effective, with (and without) the dreaded After Effects. Bring your laptops! (Will need Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects)
Mitch Leff
Over Mitch's career, he has provided public relations services for some of the world's most prestigious brands. His expertise spans business to business, consumer products, sports marketing, special event marketing, education, healthcare, technology and telecom.
Our media training session focuses on helping participants understand how the media works, builds confidence and teaches them how to deliver their messages clearly, concisely and with impact.
Andrew Levy
With over a decade of experience in media, Andrew Levy created his own production company in the Classic City focused on pursing the connections between brands and the human spirit. In 2017, Levy and his team at DTproductions explored 21 cities, five countries, and created content that garnered more than 50 million views. The agency works with local and national clients such as UGA, ABC, Your Pie, Toyota and more.
We will explore the key elements of video, and the importance of drawing in your audience through beautiful imagery and storytelling. Emotional connection develops trust with the viewer and they will be more willing to digest the pertinent information that you are excited to share. Examples include: UGA, Cisco, Your Pie, Checkers, etc.
Jamie Lewis
An avid reader and runner, Jamie Lewis is the social media coordinator for the Division of Marketing and Communications at UGA. Prior to this role, Jamie spent nearly 4 years managing social media and email marketing for Development and Alumni Relations at UGA. Her biggest claim to fame is an infamous gif battle on Twitter with the UF Alumni Association. She speaks fluently in gifs and memes and is always ready to share the latest in pop culture news.
Get that double tap from your followers and then turn it into something you can actually use. We’ll talk about creating a sustainable plan for interacting with your fans and harnessing the power of user generated content.
How to get the most out of your content and get it to the top of the feed. We’ll walk you through how to optimize your posts for various social platforms and maximize engagement to extend the life of your content.
Mickey Montevideo
Mickey Montevideo directs communications for the College of Pharmacy. Her years at UGA include jobs in MarComm and Engineering. She also led her own marketing and public relations firm after heading communications for Athens Regional Medical Center for 14 years. She spends her free time pulling her hair out trying to make sense of her teenager.
Are you wearing too many hats? Feel like you’re the only tuba player in a one-man band? You’re not alone. Join us as we grow in the art of survivorship as small shop communications practitioners. We will discuss how to prioritize tasks, organize projects and call for help during those times when all you want to do is crawl under a table.
Corey O’Quinn
Corey O’Quinn studied digital filmmaking at Georgia Southern University, where he also worked as a football video producer for six years. After a brief stint at Nicholls State University in south Louisiana, he found himself back home in Georgia helping UGA revamp its video production style and aesthetics.
How to make a video with little or no prior experience. Class focuses on taking a video project from conception to delivery. Covers: best practices, available resources, equipment, software, editing.
Jill Pollack
Jill is co-founder of Story Mode, a unique program that trains, coaches, and advises business people to use the power of storytelling and apply creativity to get things done at work. A dramatic arts-trained refugee from the corporate world, Jill created StoryStudio Chicago—a creative writing school—in 2003. Her credo? Don’t Be Boring.
This interactive session will explore how great storytelling connects your messages to your audience’s thoughts and emotions, igniting their desire to act. By crafting a good story, you’re not just sending a message; you’re getting things done.
Alexa Poulin
Alexa oversees Carnegie’s digital marketing operations team and works with clients across Georgia to build successful integrated digital marketing campaigns. Having served as the Director of Marketing at a college, she has first-hand understanding of the challenges of student recruitment and creating marketing campaigns that deliver results.
With a constantly changing landscape, it can be difficult to know the best approaches to finding your target audience on social media. In this session, you’ll discover who is using social media and which networks appeal to which demographics. We’ll discuss how various paid social tactics and explore best practices for each.
Eric Rangus
Eric Rangus is the editor of Georgia Magazine, the flagship alumni publication of the University of Georgia. He has more than 15 years of experience in university communications and is a former print journalist. He earned a bachelor’s in English from Florida State and a master’s in journalism from UGA. He misses the Drewry Room.
Panelists: Kristen Morales, managing editor, Insider (College of Education); Eric Rangus, editor, Georgia Magazine; Amy Ware, art director, UGA Research magazine Staff members of UGA’s print and electronic publications are the Pub Club. Each has a story that’s as colorful as their magazine.
Amanda Sale
Amanda is the Senior Associate Director for Marketing and Recruitment in Undergraduate Admissions at UGA. In her current role she leads Undergraduate Admissions in a thoughtful and purposeful recruitment strategy that employs electronic and print collateral, social media, events, and territory managers to enroll high quality students.
Using current communication strategies from Undergraduate Admissions at UGA, this session will give participants an opportunity to understand the admissions life cycle for incoming first year students and how to best leverage it to communicate their message.
Brooke Savage
Brooke Savage is an Assistant General Counsel at UGA. In addition to her work with Open Records, Brooke represents the Office of International Education and Admissions, while also handling Student Appeals, Grievances and Contract Review. Prior to UGA, Brooke was a Senior Assistant County Attorney for Gwinnett County. Brooke is a Double Dawg.
UGA’s Assistant General Counsel and Open Records Manager discuss open records compliance at a public institution.
Stephanie W. Schupska
Stephanie Schupska is committed to wearing all the hats as communications coordinator for the Honors Program. Her 13 years at UGA also include jobs with MarComm and CAES. Prior to moving to Athens, she worked as a reporter and editor for various news organizations. When she’s not at work, she’s playing or watching cartoons with her four-year-old.
Are you wearing too many hats? Feel like you’re the only tuba player in a one-man band? You’re not alone. Join us as we grow in the art of survivorship as small shop communications practitioners. We will discuss how to prioritize tasks, organize projects and call for help during those times when all you want to do is crawl under a table.
Buck Sharp
Buck Sharp has been with UGA since 2015 and is the Digital Director for DAR Communications, overseeing UGA’s efforts to fundraise and engage alumni in the digital space. He previously served as an interactive lead on projects with Jackson Spalding, Snorgtees, Remain at Home Health Care and FormFree, and as the co-founder and lead designer at Plexus Web Creations, an interactive agency in Athens.
Identifying and understanding your target audience is the most important step in building any marketing plan. Thinking from the perspective of your target audience will not only help you build an effective communication plan, but also craft relevant messages. Today, digital technology enables hyper-targeting, and we all have the tools to specify a unique message to a specific target.
Louie Spivak
Louie Spivak, graduated Berry College, where he studied communications, marketing and psychology. Now, he works at Jackson Spalding – an integrated marketing communications agency – as a copywriter and creative strategist, bringing big ideas to life with words for many accounts including Toyota, Gretsch and Primrose Schools.
Whether you’re writing copy for your website or tweets for your social channel, you want your words to be seen by the right audience. In this interactive workshop, we’ll walk participants through what SEO is, why it’s important and how to incorporate search terms into your content writing.
Kalena Stull
Kalena Stull is the social media maven for the University of Georgia. She has more than 8 years of experience in digital content strategy is a big fan of finding new and engaging ways to deliver stories to the world. She prefers Instagram over Twitter and pronounces Gif with a hard G.
Get that double tap from your followers and then turn it into something you can actually use. We’ll talk about creating a sustainable plan for interacting with your fans and harnessing the power of user generated content.
How to get the most out of your content and get it to the top of the feed. We’ll walk you through how to optimize your posts for various social platforms and maximize engagement to extend the life of your content.
Bob Taylor
Bob Taylor is UGA’s Open Records Manager. He works in concert with the Office of Legal Affairs, making sure the University is in total compliance with the Georgia Open Records Act. Bob has been a news reporter, and press aide/spokesman for a U.S. Senator. He is a 1983 Grady grad.
UGA’s Assistant General Counsel and Open Records Manager discuss open records compliance at a public institution.
Kerry Terrell
As Marketing Director, Kerry Terrell leads the marketing team within the Office of Marketing and Communications at UGA’s Terry College of Business. Kerry has more than eighteen years of experience in graduate admissions and marketing roles, including time spent in the Boston area at Bentley University and Brandeis University. Outside the office, Kerry embraces her role as a soccer mom, Disneyphile, and life-long New Kids on the Block fan.
Learn how to carve out a unique space for your college brand voice to shine while adhering to and taking advantage of the larger university master brand and style guide.
Andy Tucker
Andrew has been at Georgia over 10 years as a university photographer, videographer and as visual storyteller. He began his career as a photojournalist working for the Athens Banner-Herald and The Augusta Chronicle for a combined 10 years before coming to UGA. Andrew enjoys working out, jumping on the trampoline with his kids, coaching his son in football and catching fish on the weekend.
This will be a very interactive discussion of photography using our cameras, lighting setups and mobile devices. We will cover how to use logistics and teamwork to put yourself in the best situation possible to make better pictures. We’ll also discuss different approaches and shooting and lighting techniques you can use on future projects. We will close the session with techniques for mobile transmission and electronic releases.
Amanda Wolkin
Amanda is a member of Jackson Spalding’s social media and content marketing teams, spearheading content development for Orkin & SCANA. While her route to Jackson Spalding was anything but typical – first studying at the University of Pennsylvania before completing a Fulbright grant in Malaysia – she’s found a home in the world of content strategy.
Whether you’re writing copy for your website or tweets for your social channel, you want your words to be seen by the right audience. In this interactive workshop, we’ll walk participants through what SEO is, why it’s important and how to incorporate search terms into your content writing.