The advertising and public relations industry is about more than just promotion—it’s about connection, creativity, and strategy. For sophomore Gia Perry, discovering how storytelling and analytics shape the way we interact with brands has been the start of an exciting journey into the digital marketing world. 

This spring, UT’s Advertising and Public Relations program introduced an exciting new course titled Influencer Marketing, led by Adam Ornelas, Senior Manager of Influencer Marketing at DoorDash. Ornelas brings extensive experience in global partnerships, brand strategy, and social media marketing to the classroom, offering students an inside look at one of the fastest-growing fields in the industry.

TXADPR content lead Madelyn Haden had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Tim Scott, an alumnus of and professor at the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations. He is also an Air Force Veteran, Texas Creative alumni, brand builder, and founder with outstanding experience and notable advice for students entering their next stage in life.

Last week, TXADPR proudly hosted the annual Jerome Williams Lecture, a signature event honoring the late ADV&PR professor and trailblazer in multicultural consumer research. This year’s lecture brought a unique global dimension, featuring keynote speaker May O. Lwin, a professor of strategic and health communication from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Accompanied by a group of 20 graduate students, Lwin offered fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of advertising and public relations through the enriching international exchange.

Jim Keyes gave a virtual talk at UT Austin on Thursday, February 20, for Mark Bunting’s class. Keyes, the author of Education is Freedom and former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, previously spoke at UT Austin in 2023 as part of Professor Hunt’s class. During his recent session, he shared insights from his journey, discussing the transformative power of education and lifelong learning.

Could you walk us through your educational journey and explain why you decided to pursue the degrees you did? 

The University of Texas at Austin is kicking off the New Year with a celebration, earning the prestigious title of the #1 Advertising Program in the nation, as ranked by College Transitions. This recognition reflects the university's innovative curriculum, strong industry connections, and proven track record of producing leaders in the advertising field. This accomplishment is a proud moment that underscores UT Austin’s reputation as a leader in advertising education.

A Tradition of Excellence 

TikTok, the wildly popular social media video app, may soon be banned in the United States. The app’s future has been hanging in the balance since President Biden signed legislation that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell to a U.S. owner. The legislation argues that the Chinese-owned company poses a threat to the nation’s security. 

In the dynamic world of digital advertising, few understand the interplay between trends and human behavior as well as Sieun Ha, a PhD researcher at UT Austin. With her roots in strategic planning and a focus on digital consumer perceptions, Ha offers unique insights into how people engage with today’s ever-changing landscape.

Nike’s “Dream Crazier” campaign is one of the most well known ads in the world. From the moment Jacqueline Cimino saw Serena Williams in that campaign, she knew that advertising can be more than a platform to sell a product—it can be a medium that changes the world. Jacqueline is in her final year of the Masters in Advertising program here at UT Austin, and upon her graduation is looking to continue carving a path for what advertising is capable of achieving. Not only for brands, but for the communities they reach as well.