State-of-the-Art Lab Focuses On Integrated, Interactive Advertising, Digital Communications and Online Direct Response

AUSTIN, Texas, March 6, 2002 -- The University of Texas at Austin Department of Advertising today announced that a $100,000 grant from the University Co-op has enabled the department to develop a new state-of-the-art lab and the first complete program for interactive advertising offered by a major U.S. university. Titled TexasInteractive, the course of study focuses on integrated, interactive advertising, digital communications and online direct response. The specialized program consists of four courses taken in addition to existing undergraduate degree requirements - Digital Media, Digital Creative, Interactive Internship, and Interactive Campaigns.

The TexasInteractive Lab features a contemporary space design that houses a state-of-the-art network where media and interactive advertising students can work online as in a real-world creative production environment. Students will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with guest lecturers and speakers from agencies and corporate enterprises who are pushing the envelope of interactive advertising and digital media.

Admission to the TexasInteractive program is by competitive application, and the application deadline for the Summer/Fall 2002 semester is April 1, 2002. Details can be found on the department web site.

"TexasInteractive will allow us to attract students interested in exploring new aspects of digital media," says Dr. Jef Richards, chairman of the Department of Advertising. "This interactive lab has everything the students need - fast network connections, powerful networked computers and current software - all packaged in a distinctive, very nontraditional lab setting. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students, and we believe it will produce well-rounded advertising professionals capable of being immediately productive within client organizations, interactive agencies, and digital communication providers."

"This cornerstone grant to the TexasInteractive program illustrates the University Co-op's ongoing support for the Department of Advertising and its students," said George Mitchell, president of the University Co-op. "It enables the Advertising Department to create a state-of-the-art development laboratory allowing students to focus on Internet advertising. The University Co-op provides internship opportunities for advertising students, and we have served as a volunteer client for student projects. This grant extends our support to students interested in exploring advertising on the Internet."

The TexasInteractive program integrates media, creative and management topics, complementing the Advertising Department's very successful TexasCreative and TexasMedia programs. "In 1995, we were the first major university in the nation to offer a course on Internet-based advertising," adds Dr. Richards. "We're excited that we again lead the way with a complete interactive program in 2002."

About Department of Advertising
at the University of Texas at Austin
The Department of Advertising has a current combined enrollment of 776 undergraduate and graduate students. The Department is a nationally recognized leader in advertising education.

CONTACT: Gene Kincaid
512-471-8159
g.kincaid@mail.utexas.edu