Professional Interests

Most of my research concerns advertising law and regulation, especially concerning the Federal Trade Commission, deceptive advertising, and the First Amendment as it applies to commercial speech. I also have interests in the areas of visual communication, advertising ethics and self-regulation, advertising via new technologies, and consumer comprehension/belief of marketing communication claims. In recent years I've dedicated quite a bit of my time to looking at the legal and ethical issues surrounding Internet marketing.

For more information see my Advertising Law & Ethics Page.

I've been on this faculty for several years, serving in many capacities, so if you have general questions about the Department, and you can't find the answers on this website, drop me a note (clickhere).

Faculty members frequently receive questions from students, regarding what kinds of jobs they can get with a degree in this major, how to best prepare for a job, and regarding a variety of other topics that concern them. Because I hear some of the same questions repeatedly, I have attempted to put some of my thoughts in writing. The following are documents containing my advice on some of those issues:

1. What Jobs Can I Get With an Advertising Degree? If you are thinking about getting a degree in advertising, or if you are already studying advertising and don't really know what your job options may be, this is the document for you to read.

2. Getting a Job in Advertising: What Employers Want. Read this early in your advertising program here, because it tells you what steps to take to make yourself more marketable upon graduation. If you wait until your last semester, it will be too late.

3. Jef's Jiffy Job-Hunting Tips. A long, long, list of Do's and Don'ts to help you prepare for your job hunt. However, it is wise not to postpone reading this until you are about to graduate, because it provides some insights that can help you make the right steps a year or two before you graduate.

4. How to Copyright Your Creative Work. If you are a copywriter or art director, this is a must. Don't leave home (UT) without it!

5. My Dissertation, Thesis and Professional Report Guidelines. This is designed to help graduate students for whom I am a supervisor or reader. It details my own personal expectations regarding writing style, etc., in a written work by a graduate student.

6. Ph.D. Interview Preparation Guide for Positions in Academia. Doctoral students preparing to interview for teaching positions need to read this, so they can prepare for the ordeal we call the "interview process."

In addition, undergraduate students who would like help with writing a research paper you should contact the Undergraduate Writing Center.

If you really want to know about my education, work history, etc. -- though I can't imagine why you'd want to -- you can look at a version of my resume (i.e., "Curriculum Vitae"), or a complete version is found here. In addition, I have a few hobbies like photography, spelunking, camping & hiking, in addition to other interests:

• Automobile Racing (Indy Car, NASCAR and Formula 1)
• College Basketball

Besides teaching advertising, I'm a staff photographer (that's me, just behind Helio) for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so I shoot pictures at the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 races.

Oh, and last but certainly not least, here's a picture of Max:

Address:

Department of Advertising
CMA 7.142
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station A1200
Austin, TX 78712

Phone:

512-471-8118 (direct)
512-471-1101 (main office)

Fax:

512-471-8100 or

512-471-7018

E-mail:

jef@mail.utexas.edu