Department of Advertising
View photos of 2009 College of Media Convocation
The 2009 College of Media Convocation brought family and friends to campus to celebrate the achievements of this year's graduates. View photo gallery.
Advertising Professor, Michelle Nelson, works with Youth Media Project on Kickapoo project
Michelle Nelson, associate professor of advertising, is helping teens conduct a focus group with their peers as part of “Kickin’ It at Kickapoo,” a multi-media project featuring teen-produced
public service announcements hosted by The Youth Media Workshop of WILL-AM-FM-TV-Online. WILL developed the project in conjunction with Ken Burns’ new PBS series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” premiering this fall.
The “Kickin’ It at Kickapoo" web site is now live. Read what the teens have to say about their adventures at Kickapoo.
Kickin’ It introduces the teens and their families to Kickapoo State Park in nearby Danville, Illinois, in order to increase awareness among African Americans about the value of Kickapoo. Participating units teach teens how to use the latest nano video technology and editing software and help them create video public service announcements to persuade other African Americans of the benefits of the scenic park in their own backyards.
“We analyze the data and create a strategy for encouraging more teens and their families to visit Kickapoo,” says Nelson, who explains that the advertising industry comes under fire for lack of diversity, so she’s excited to open the eyes of the young people to advertising as a career.
Other project partners include William Patterson, associate director of the University of Illinois' Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center; the Danville Boys and Girls Club; the Prairie Rivers Network; the Danville Public Library; and Keep Vermilion County Beautiful.
Visit the "Kickin’ It at Kickapoo" web site.
Jacalyn Ceglinski '09 names her reasons for choosing Illinois
Choosing the right college or university is a difficult and important decision. Jackie Ceglinski, a graduating senior in Advertising, provides her perspective as she reflects on the value of her Illinois education in the Office of Admissions e-newsletter. See Ceglinski's "Five Reasons Illinois was a Great Decision."
New book highlights "color line" in advertising industry
Jason Chambers, associate professor of advertising, has written a new book, "Madison Avenue and the Color Line," about African American employees and entrepreneurs in the advertising industry. The book was published early in 2008 by the University of Pennsylvania Press and is available online and in bookstores.
Chambers has presented his research on the African American consumer market both nationally and internationally, and his work has been published in books and journals in Europe and the United States. He has been invited to speak in numerous countries, has appeared on The History Channel discussing advertising issues and has provided opinions to a vareity of magazines. He also served as a consultant on advertising history programs appearing on the BBC and consulted with numerous organizations on matters of diversity, stereotyping, the impact of new media and various consumer issues. "Madison Avenue ..." is his first book.
Find out more about Chambers' book and African Americans in advertising:
- "A Minute With ..." features Chambers on campus Web site
- Chambers' book is highlighted in UI News Bureau story
The Department of Advertising — the first such academic department in the country — was established at the University of Illinois in 1949. The department was created by Charles Sandage, known as the "father of advertising." Like virtually every other advertising program that rose in its shadow, it reflected the structure and functions of the modern advertising agency.
Find out more about Illinois' advertising history in this article written by Jason Chambers: adv_education_chambers.doc. (Word, 48k)
Advertising isn't what it used to be. Media have changed dramatically. Consumer engagement with advertising is taking paths that no one could have imagined more than 50 years ago. The Department of Advertising at Illinois has changed right along with the industry, and today it is still pioneering the way consumer communications is taught. In addition to learning the elements of agency creative and account responsibilities, advertising students work toward an understanding of the relationship between consumers, consumption and consumer-oriented messages.
This cutting-edge approach teaches students to think intelligently, not only about advertising but about all of the cultural messages with which they engage.
Advertising students at Illinois are well prepared for fulfilling careers in all facets of the consumer communications industry. It's what makes the program unique. And it's what repeatedly places it among the top-ranked programs in the country:
Top Undergraduate programs as ranked by faculty
1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2. University of Texas
3. University of Florida
Most mentions as a "Top 3" undergraduate program
1. University of Texas
2. Michigan State University
3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Most mentions as a "Top 3" graduate program
1. University of Texas
2. Northwestern University
3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michigan State University
Top graduate programs as ranked by U.S. News & World Report
1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2. University of Florida
3. Northwestern University
4. University of Texas
SOURCE: University of Texas at Austin Web site.
Student organizations
The Department of Advertising encourages students to get involved in a student organization such as the American Advertising Federation, which offers connections to real-world experiences, competition and advertising professionals.
Faculty expertise
The faculty in the Department of Advertising combine professional experience with wide-ranging scholarly interests in the study of advertising consumer communication.
Networking opportunities & alumni connections
Advertising majors have traveled to Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Chicago and other cities to visit agencies and network with industry professionals, many of whom are College of Communications alumni. Alumni also provide portfolio reviews, professional guidance and updates on industry trends. In January of each year, the College sponsors a Student/Alumni Interface during winter break, at which students can network with alumni working as advertising professionals in the Chicago area.
Career placement
The Department of Advertising offers assistance in acquiring internships and jobs, including an annual career night devoted to connecting students with advertising professionals.