Professor John Fortunato joins Advertising Department

After receiving his PhD from Rutgers University, Dr. Fortunato taught for three years at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, teaching courses in advertising, public relations, marketing, mass communication theory, sports media, and research. In addition to teaching, Dr. Fortunato is the author of "The Ultimate Assist: The Relationship and Broadcast Strategies of the National Basketball Association," an extension of his dissertation. Dr. Fortunato also worked for NBC Sports, covering such events as the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. When asked why he left industry, Dr. Fortunato said, "it was a lifestyle choice" and that he wanted more flexibility to do research and write; he also missed working with students.

Having lived his entire life in New Jersey, Dr. Fortunato made the move to Texas because he wanted to be part of a bigger school - the University of Texas athletics were also attractive to the sports enthusiast! According to Dr. Fortunato, coming to the University of Texas was a good career move because he is now able to "work with brighter students," "compete with better faculty," and has endless possibilities to do research.

Dr. Fortunato brings a new energy and enthusiasm to the Department of Advertising. He is "all about his work and his research" and he wants to teach his students what it is really like to work in the industry on a day-to-day basis. It is obvious that he is passionate about teaching and research and it seems that Dr. Fortunato has found his match at the University of Texas: "I came here with high expectations and so far, they have all been exceeded."

11/5/2002