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| AD ALL-STARS| Award-winning Advertising program alumni | |||||||
Fall
2001 This
semester, we are happy to recognize the accomplishments of two outstanding
ad graduates. They have, in a relatively short period of time, achieved
a great deal in the advertising field. While they have chosen different
career paths, these Ad All-Stars exemplify superior technical skills, high
motivation and a passion for advertising.
Our
first Ad All-Star is Nikki
Owen.
Nikki is a 19__ graduate of the ad program and is now International Brand
Manager at Maker's Mark in Loretto, Kentucky. Nikki Owen (in her own words) Being Kentucky born and bred, there is no greater thrill than to work on a brand as well respected and prestigious as Maker's Mark. I joined the Maker's Mark team nearly three years ago, and until that point never realized that Maker's Mark wasn't as well-known in the rest of the world as it is here in Kentucky. To give you an idea, party conversation comes to a halt when I mention I work there.... it's nearly celebrity status. So, as International Brand Manager, my mission is to somehow duplicate this environment in our overseas markets. I also support our US team through directing our packaging, internet and relationship marketing projects. Before coming to Maker's Mark, I worked in the glamorous (ha!) advertising department of our local newspaper, handling the entertainment list which included hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, and, sadly, a few "gentlemen's" clubs. I earned an undergraduate
degree from the award-winning Advertising department at Western Kentucky
University, where I enjoyed the hands-on approach to education. I also
have two master's degrees, in Management and Marketing, from Webster University.
Not being one to miss out on a celebration, I am a board member on the
Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. I'm
also currently a member of the Leadership Kentucky 2001 class.
 Our
second Ad All-Star is Jason Loehr. Jason is a 19__ graduate of the ad program
and is now Web Manager for Affinity
Group, Inc (AGI).
Jason Loehr (in his own words) On my first day at Western, I thought I had my career path identified and was prepared to graduate with a degree in Art Education. After my first class, I knew I had chosen the wrong path. I walked up the hill and found the Advertising Program. I have not looked back since. My experience with the Advertising Program at WKU helped make my college experience unforgettable. While at Western, I sold and produced ads for the College Heights Herald. This let me apply the knowledge I gained in my Advertising classes on a first-hand basis. When the Herald was building their first web site, I took interest and began to adapt the Web to my class work. I began building web sites for my fraternity, the WKU Alumni Association and other campus organizations. All the while, I applied more of my Advertising work to the web. It was paying off in ways I could not have imagined. As a junior, I took an internship with Camping World. I began handling the local and regional advertising for the Camping World stores and coordinated the Goodwill Ambassadors of Camping World. All was going well when I walked into the Catalog Production department one day. There I saw the development on a Camping World Web Site. I stayed and showed them my work on the web. A couple of months later, I found myself helping to launch the first Camping World Online Catalog. Before I left, Camping World's Online Catalog received CIO Magazine's prestigious 50/50 award for web excellence. From those humble beginnings, my career has continued to grow from my experience with the web and my knowledge of Advertising. I left Camping World to consult with a firm in Tampa, FL where I was fortunate to work with clients including the American Cancer Society, Lycos, MSNBC, MCI, Vitalcast.com and Frederick's of Hollywood among others. After Tampa, I joined Affinity Group, Inc (AGI). Here at AGI, my title of Web Manager has brought me a great deal of responsibility. I manage the web operations of several business units inside of AGI, including the Good Sam Club, Coast to Coast Resorts, the Golf Card and RV.net among others. Throughout my career,
I have returned to WKU to talk with the Advertising Program on several
occasions. I speak on my experiences and career preparation. It makes
me proud to see how the Faculty and the Advertising Program have adapted
to prepare today's student with knowledge in traditional themes and new
media. This is the same dedication I am proud to have received as an Ad
student. WKU means a great deal to me and I will never forget my experiences
at WKU.
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