The Yaybies know we’re lucky to have gone to the J-School at the University of Minnesota. Our SJMC instructors are brilliant, inspiring, and eager to share their real-world experience. In celebration of the back-to-school season, here’s a rundown of the best of the best:
Jennifer Johnson.
Creds: Tons, but most notably
Leo Burnett and CD at
two shops in Mpls.
Teaches: Copywriting/Creative Strategy and Portfolio Development
I thought I knew how to think creatively before JJ’s class, but she completely reinvented the creative process for me. Now I know what makes a great ad and how to brainstorm effectively. (Hint: It involves dozens of scraps of colored paper that you WILL fill with ideas.)
Best lessons learned: Don’t cry at work. Be an elbow, not an arm (leave a comment if you’re curious about the origins of that one…)
Earl Herzog.
Creds: EVP/Media Director at
Campbell MithunTeaches: Media Strategy
Students either love or hate Earl’s style: gruff, to-the-point, unabashed. His class is completely real-world and the skills and knowledge he shares give aspiring media professionals a huge advantage in their first job. My favorite part of his class? Quizzes on the New York Times’ Media & Advertising section. A perfect example of teaching students what they really need to know in the advertising world.
Best lessons learned: FIGURE IT OUT. Read the Times’ Media & Ad section. And don’t be late.
John Rash.
Creds: Director of Media Analysis at Campbell Mithun, writer of
The Rash ReportTeaches: Mass Media and Politics
Unfortunately, I never got to take John Rash’s class, but all his students rave about his intelligence and availability, even though he’s crazy busy. The Rash Report is absolutely astounding. The first time I had a conversation with this man, I knew he was one of the smartest people I will ever meet. I can’t imagine how amazing Media & Politics will be with the election this year!
Best lessons learned: Actually, I’m usually too busy trying not to let my jaw drop at his eloquence and insight…
John Eighmey.
Creds: Senior management and both
Y&R and the FTC.
Journal of Advertising listed him as one of the 10 most-cited authorities on internet advertising.
Teaches: Cases
Another professor whose brilliance I never got to witness firsthand, but friends tell me he’s incredibly intelligent and a stellar thesis advisor. When we had an NSAC near-disaster, one team member emailed him frantically for advice. He replied within minutes, calming us down and giving us guidance on how to proceed.
Best lessons learned: Intelligence and quiet compassion goes a long way.
Howard Liszt.
Creds: Former CEO of
Campbell Mithun. Served on the Easter Seals board. Knows absolutely
everyone. Malcolm Gladwell should have profiled him as the
Connector in Tipping Point.
Teaches: He’s technically marked down as teaching JOUR 3201…but we know him as the fearless NSAC advisor.
Howard pushes his NSAC team to work harder, be smarter, and think more creatively than they ever have before. Having his seal of approval on your resume all but guarantees you a job after graduation. And he honestly cares about every one of his students.
Best lessons learned: Work hard. Believe in yourself and your team. Genuinely care about others. 400 BABIES!
Brian Southwell.
Creds: PhD, outstanding researcher of health communication, and winner of a huge
teaching awardTeaches: Psychology of Advertising
Choosing Brian Southwell as my thesis advisor was the best decision I could have made. He was endlessly patient and always had complete faith in me.
Best lessons learned: Extra effort and thought will always be rewarded.
Mark Pedelty.
Creds: Anthropologist who has traveled
Central America,
Mexico, and the
US.
Teaches: Mass Media and Pop Culture
Each semester, Mark organizes a concert or other event which his class promotes to help raise awareness for a cause. My semester was the first one, and the honors section promoted local artists in conjunction with Friends of the
Mississippi River. Through this, he demonstrates how media can work for
good, and how
anyone can use our PR and ad knowledge for a good cause.
Best lessons learned: Intersections of culture and media are everywhere. Decide for yourself whether that’s good or bad.
Kathy Hansen.
Creds: Co-author of
Behind the Message, a communication researcher’s Bible. Innovator in communication research and teaching techniques, like creating a custom module that turns Neverwinter Nights into a PR/journalism research simulator.
Teaches: Honors Senior Seminar, Info for Mass Communicators
I liked both of Kathy’s classes, but I remember her most as an exceptional mentor. She knows the J-School inside and out and will sit down with anyone to help them discuss class and career options.
Best lessons learned: You can do anything, no matter how big.
Debra Kelley.
Creds: Principal of
Hall Kelley design company.
Teaches: Basic Media Graphics
Debra is encouraging and patient. She knows that ad students are not necessarily designers, but she teaches the fundamentals to make any Powerpoint look clean and professional. Her class is the best way ad kids can learn Photoshop and InDesign besides pirating their GD friend’s copy, getting drunk, and playing with vectors. Err…was that just me?
Best lessons learned: Read
The Non-Designers’ Design Book. Now.
Did I skip your faves? Leave them in the comments!
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