focus on fa culty
meet Moose Tyler
There’s a Moose on
the Loose: Creativity Flows
in Mass Communications By Leslie Berger
Photo courtesy of Master Steve Allen
Mass communications professor Moose OCU and a Master of SciTyler has helped Oklahoma City University ence in public relations and students discover their love for marketing corporate communications and creativity, but if she had not acciden- from New York University. tally enrolled in an advertising class during Tyler notes that loan proMass communications professor Moose Tyler works with public her senior year at OCU, Tyler might never vider Sallie Mae is incredibly relations student Shamari Reid. have uncovered her own passion for the cre- thankful for her educational ative field. pursuits. Tyler was nearing graduation with her psyTyler began teaching at OCU in 2005. “About 5 percent of CEOs have their chology degree when advertising writing and “I love teaching,” she said. “The energy of own blog,” Tyler observed. “Why isn’t that design appeared on her class schedule. the students is unbelievable.” 95 percent?” “Maybe I miswrote the Tyler said she is imTyler participated in OCU’s Priddy course number or maybe pressed at the versatil- Fellowship program and currently leads the my advisor enrolled me ity her students display. publicity team for the North Central Reacin it,” Tyler speculated. “They have an ar- creditation visit, set for Nov. 7 to 9. “I don’t remember enrollray of skill sets coming “Our accreditation is critical to our liveing that class, but it really out,” she said. “PR ma- lihood as a university,” Tyler explained. “It’s changed everything. I fell jors now put packages really about ‘tilling the garden’ so there’s in love.” together for YouTube room for growth.” Following graduation, and work in InDeTyler said she has worked to assess her own Tyler worked at a psychisign and PhotoShop. strengths and weaknesses. “It’s really interestatric hospital for about Reporters aren’t just ing to self reflect and be honest about that six months, but she never putting their stories in reflection to be better at what you’re doing.” stopped thinking about print, they’re working When she’s outside the classroom, Tyler Moose Tyler celebrates with Grand how she wanted to be a with a variety of online enjoys working on her novel or practicing Master Reeder after testing for her blue belt at Grand Master Reeder’s copywriter. She returned media.” mixed martial arts. Currently a blue belt, Martial Arts Center. She has two more to OCU and earned a Tyler said the growth Tyler is working toward earning a black belt. belt levels to complete before earning second bachelor’s degree in social media has She practices Tae Kwon Do, Filipino Boxing, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. in advertising. Just two been interesting to Silat and Jeet Kune Do. She gives weeks after graduating, watch. occasional boxing demonstrations she packed two bags worth of clothes and “I remember when I got my first efor OCU self defense classes. moved to New York City to work at the mail address and I didn’t use it for Her novel, currently titled advertising agency of Young and Rubicam. three years because it was dead,” she “The Monarch’s Story,” deTyler worked in media, account service and said. “Now, marketing is all about picts a young girl training creative accounts at the agency with clients the Web, social media and blogging. to become an amazon warrior including Sony, Advil and the Bronx Zoo. It’s given word-of-mouth marketing and how she challenges the sysIn Oklahoma City, Tyler worked as a copy- a steroid shot. Now you can tell tem as she rises to power. OCU writer for Jordan Associates where she creat- 10,000 people you don’t like student Donald Ashwood is created the “Put a little woo hoo in your day” ads a product.” ing illustrations for the story. for the Oklahoma Lottery. Tyler notes that compaContact Leslie Berger at LBerger@okcu.edu. While pursuing her professional career, nies who use non-traditional Tyler continued her collegiate studies. She media methods are generally holds a Master of Liberal Arts degree from doing well. 20
f o c u s s pring 2011
OCU student Donald Ashwood created this illustration of Amaria, the main character in the novel Tyler is writing.