“I also believe that advertising is an art and business that can lead others to action. Because of that, it can change the world for the better, and I want to be a part of that change.” - Mai Koythong, Texas Creative Sequence Student, (Mai is pictured fourth from left in the above photo)

Dr. Mike Mackert has been a faculty member at UT for the past five years and this December he was granted tenure. "I felt excited and honored when I heard the news. It is a big accomplishment, because UT has high standards in both research and teaching," Mackert said. "Reaching this accomplishment validates what I have been doing for the past five years." But he hasn't slowed down. Mackert is still working on numerous projects and setting goals for the future.

"It really doesn't matter how you stumbled into planning, as long as you have an interesting story. "

Natalie Anderson found her niche in advertising while studying at UT. She found account planning suited her well because it gave her the ability to use her creativity and communication skills. Natalie graduated from UT with a Master of Arts in Communication and is currently a Senior Strategic Planner at TracyLocke.

What degree did you receive from UT Austin? 

Dr. Anthony Dudo is an assistant professor and one of three new faculty members in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations this year. Prior to joining the faculty here at Texas, Dr. Dudo received his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College in 2000, his master's degree from the University of Delaware in 2005 and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison earlier this year.

Here Dr. Dudo discusses the intersection of media and science, his research and MythBusters.

Dr. Kevin Thomas is an assistant professor and one of three new faculty members in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations this year. Though he his new to the faculty, Dr. Thomas knows the department well as he received his Ph.D. here at The University of Texas at Austin earlier this year. Prior to Texas, Dr. Thomas received his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University in 2000 and an MBA from California State Polytechnic University in 2005.

"Meeting and talking to people from the biggest and most innovative agencies in the world was an honor and a motivation to pursue my career in advertising and  made me proud to be a UT graduate student." -Urszula Bosco, UT Advertising Graduate Student  

To start the Spring 2012 semester, Dr. Neal Burns took some students from his Fall Account Planning class to visit and learn about seven different agencies in New York: DDB, Gotham, McCann Erickson, McgarryBowen, Naked Communications, Ogilvy and TBWA.

Interview with Joshua Glick, 2nd year graduate student in the Advertising program

Advertising Graduate student Joshua Glick has found that the empowerment that defines the Advertising Program at UT has taken him from being a student to an active entrepreneur. Josh is a student in the Texas Creative sequence, and he has also dedicated his time as an AdGrad to launching a mobile app called GameUp for smartphones (and soon tablets and PCs) that allows the user to socialize and connect with their friends while watching sports. 

Interviewed by Lauren Kahn

The hope of many of our graduating seniors has become a reality for Lindsey Fairless. Her internship has turned into a full-time position, account coordinator for PetersGroup Public Relations, located in Austin.

What is your new title and what duties will you have that are different from when you were an intern?