Students develop professional advertising and networking skills while seeking a bachelor degree in Communications.

"To accomplish these goals, students are encouraged to study advertising theory in the classroom before practicing the techniques and skills required of the profession through internships in the industry," said Robert Jeffers, coordinator of the advertising program.

Among the elements studied and practiced are:

• The role and functions of advertising in society
• The agency system
• Ad production, including media analysis, planning, and buying
• Target demographics
• Layout, design, and graphics
• Sales and management
• Promotions and special events
• Ad Campaigns

"Courses range from an introduction class to an ad campaigns class which demands that students implement all their acquired advertising and marketing skills to produce all aspects of a campaign," Jeffers said.

Students produce advertisements in new computer labs, at WSWI, the university radio station, in the Television Center, for USI Student Publications, The Shield and Transitions, and in the classroom.

Guest lecturers from the business community share their expertise in practical ad theory and practice in the classroom, giving students additional opportunities to learn the latest events shaping the advertising industry while, at the same time, getting a chance to "network."

Also, USI advertising students participate in the national American Advertising Federation (AAF) competition each April. Each year the regional competition is held in Chicago, and a caravan of students travels there to make an extensive, professional presentation.

Advertising/Public Relations Coordinator
Robert E. West, Ph.D.
rwest@usi.edu