MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: SPOTLIGHT: MEMBERSHIP BRENNA COYLE
Executive Board
BY JESSICA TWINE
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n organization’s success is determined by the uniqueness of individual members who bring diverse experiences and views to the table. Brenna Coyle is one student who has greatly contributed to PRSSA. She is a junior Public Relations major and with a minor in Leadership in Student Affairs. Coyle is also pursuing the New Media Certificate. This summer she had the opportunity to intern at WNC Magazine in Asheville, NC. WNC is a bimonthly publication focused on capturing the lifestyle of the North Carolina mountain region. Coyle was the marketing and graphics intern at WNC. Some of her responsibilities included performing market research and conducting expansion for WNC Magazine, Ashevegas and Asheville Grit. She also participated in weekly executive meetings with the editors and directors and was the lead designer and editor for advertising and the social media contest. By the completion of her internship in July, Coyle increased WNC’s Instagram following by 125 percent.
- Brenna Coyle
NOVEMBER 2017
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PRSSA played a huge part in helping me know what to expect from this position. PRSSA introduces all different kinds of PR initiatives by providing a diverse group of speakers. It helped to have seen the different ways PR is used in a company. Since WNC was so small, it was fun to try out a bunch of those roles of PR at WNC.
Working for WNC over the summer gave Coyle the opportunity to hone a wide variety of skills and roles central to the publications industry. While her daily duties consisted of marketing and graphics, she said, “It was a job where I wore a lot of hats.” This included interviewing citizens for various stories and creating content for the publication’s new podcast. Interning at WNC allowed her to expand her creative style and gain experience with all six of Grand Strand’s magazines. “My favorite part about working for WNC was that I got a lot of handson experience with marketing while collaborating with all different kinds of people,” said Coyle. Coyle said that, “PRSSA played a huge part in helping me know what to expect from this position. PRSSA introduces all different kinds of PR initiatives by providing a diverse group of speakers. It helped to have seen the different ways PR is used in a company. Since WNC was so small, it was fun to try out a bunch of those roles of PR at WNC.” Coyle has served PRSSA as a member of the Publications Committee for the last two years where she specializes primarily in creating graphics and creative content. Her excellent design skills, writing abilities and journalism mindset make her an invaluable asset. Her graphic design expertise and knack with social media have provided her with incredible opportunities outside of PRSSA, and PRSSA is incredibly proud to have her as member!
PRESIDENT Riley Muse riley.muse25@uga.edu VICE PRESIDENT Claire Taylor claire.taylor25@uga.edu
DR. BYAN REBER:
IMPACTING GRADY AND INFLUENCING STUDENTS
BY JENSEN STRANDBERG he students at the University of Georgia are surrounded by distinguished academics bustling through the hallways. They teach classes, dive into intense research, and fill the minds of teenagers and twenty-somethings. Students in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication are among the most fortunate; advertising and public relations professors in particular are exceptional. One professor, Dr. Reber, exemplifies what it means to be a leader in this area. In 2017, Dr. Bryan Reber was appointed to Department Head of Advertising and Public Relations in Grady. Originally from Kansas, Reber joined the department in August 2004; he has witnessed its tremendous growth in students, faculty and prestige since then. “I’m really honored to be leading the UGA Grady College Department of Advertising and Public Relations,” Reber said. “Two of the things that makes it great is its faculty and students… Our faculty conduct research that is of interest and relevance to the professional community and we are highly engaged with the professional community as a way to provide opportunities for our students.” Dr. Reber was and continues to be a large contributor to the Public Affairs Professionals Certificate Program, which graduated its first round of students in May 2017. His passion for PR stems from its adaptability; a public relations professional has the ability to work in various industries, from politics to crisis communications to entertainment. This certificate in particular seamlessly blends journalism with politics, a unique but applicable combination for
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students who seek careers in political communications or campaign management. He also hopes to assist in the enhancement and growth of Talking Dog, a student-run agency merging the PR and advertising agencies on campus. In addition, he has high hopes of taking advantage of the many international opportunities available to students and faculty. Reber also possesses a passion for research. “I want to continue our department’s tradition as a center for state-ofthe-art advertising and public relations research,” Reber said. The importance of research skills, particularly in social and digital media, are invaluable for graduating students looking to compete effectively in the job market. Outside of the classroom, Reber enjoys working in the yard, parenting his West Highland White Terrier, Weston, cooking, traveling, reading and hanging out with neighbors. He also explores Athens and the many restaurants the Classic City has to offer. “I am really privileged to work here, let alone to lead this program. I am most excited about meeting new people and creating new opportunities for both students and faculty. That’s really what I see as my primary role -- creating opportunities for the program to be better and better. I’m excited by that challenge,” Reber said about his excitement for his new role. Reber’s quick wit, dry humor and willingness to assist students in their journey to obtain a job in PR or advertising are second to none. Anyone who has taken one of his classes can agree; Dr. Reber is going to do great things for Grady.
DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Allie Vlk allievlk@gmail.com PR DIRECTOR Savannah Flynn savmflynn@gmail.com DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Brooke Hamil brooke.hamil25@uga.edu DIRECTOR OF MEMBER RELATIONS Anna Alyssa McKoy aam77026@uga.edu PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Jensen Strandberg jls85626@uga.edu DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Stephanie Dixon stephanie.dixon@uga.edu FACULTY ADVISOR Kim Landrum klandrum@uga.edu TALKING DOG PR ADVISOR Kristen Smith kmsmith@uga.edu
DREWRY CHAPTER , UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA • UGAPRSSA.ORG