Summer - VCU Brandcenter

BEYOND SIXTY
Summer 2015
Letter from the Director
Dear Alumni,
I hope your summer is off to a great start. We’ve had a jam-packed
semester that concluded with board member Jonathan Mildenhall,
Chief Marketing Officer of Airbnb, sending off the Class of 2015 with
some sage advice, encouraging them to focus on “eulogy qualities”
over “resume qualities” as they start their careers. (See the video of his
commencement speech here.) We are so proud that twenty-five percent
of the graduates already had jobs by graduation. One month after
graduation, that number had climbed to 70%, and more offers are being
accepted every day. Here’s a list of where they’ve accepted jobs.
On that note, this year’s Recruiter Session was the biggest ever with
over 250 recruiters and 160 companies attending. I want to thank all
of you who recruited from the Brandcenter this year. We had over 50
alumni who attended to recruit on behalf of their agencies/companies.
With your help, the word is spreading that the Brandcenter is the place to look for talent, and not just in the
advertising world. This year some of our graduates accepted jobs at places like Facebook, IBM, and Walt
Disney Imagineering. We are excited to be making inroads at more and more companies each year.
Our students also worked on real world, in-class assignments for brands like Lexus, The Ritz Carlton, and
Tribeca Film Festival (via Mark Miller/ Team One); Hilton (via Claiborne Irby, CBM alum); United Way (via
Vicki Lins, board member); Barnes & Noble, and Diamond Candles (via CBM alums Paul Davis and Lauren
Ulmer.) With the guidance of Kelly O’Keefe, several students took on the challenge of rebranding the
Washington Redskins. It was fun to see the debates and comments from diehard fans regarding the two
recommendations: The Washington Rebels and The Washington Navigators.
This year is seeing a lot of change at the Brandcenter, including the transition of Creative Technology to
Experience Design, the renaming of the Communications Strategy track to Strategy, and Kelly O’Keefe taking
over as track head of the Creative Brand Management track. (Don’t worry, the Dark Knight will return as a
professor.)
As always, we love hearing what you are up to. Please continue to share your
good news with us.
Best, Helayne Spivak
Click here to follow us.
Breaking News
Creative Technology Evolves to Experience Design, XD Lab Created
You may have noticed many of our creative technology students are now referring to themselves as
experience designers. This fall the track’s new name will be official, as will its updated curriculum.
Andrew LeVasseur was hired full time to be the Experience Design track head. An adjunct professor since the
Creative Technology track began, Andrew has been instrumental in designing the track’s curriculum from its
inception through its transition to Experience Design.
“We’re renaming the track to better align with the direction of the industry, the career opportunities for
our students, and to reflect more specifically the titles and roles our graduates are assuming in business,”
Andrew said in an interview about the renamed track.
“Experience Design students concept, design, prototype and build ‘experiences’ that push the envelope of
what is technologically possible.”
It helps to have a space that is especially designed for the XD’s to concept, design, prototype and build. The
new Experience Design Lab, located in the basement at the back of the student lounge, is fully equipped with
3D printers, a laser cutter, tools, benches and tables where the students can get to work bringing their ideas
to life. One thing the Experience Design Lab does not have? A name. If you are interested in naming rights,
please contact Development Director Emily Hale at [email protected] - she would love to discuss.
Amazing Friday Forum Line-up This Spring
This Spring’s Friday Forum line-up brought in some new creative energy and welcomed back some of the
best speakers we’ve ever had.
We kicked off with board member Diane Jackson from DDB, who gave us a look behind the curtain of
production. Danny Robinson from The Martin Agency blew us away with some great tips on how to get to
your most creative ideas. Alum Katherine Wintsch (ST, 1999) talked about her experience starting The Mom
Complex and gave some great “what I wish I had known back then” advice.
We were lucky to have some of our favorites back like Kristen Cavallo from Mullen, Jonathan Cude from
McKinney, Jamie Barrett from barrettsf, and Rob Reilly from McCann Worldgroup. The year wrapped up with
the guy behind some of our favorite commercials, Eric Kallman from Goodby Silverstein & Partners, who
shared his secrets to writing hilarious work that clients actually buy.
We should note that we don’t pay these industry leaders to come speak. They are so generous to carve time
out of their insanely busy schedules to spend a couple days with us in Richmond. We’re so grateful for their
support of our program and students. Learn more about all of our Friday Forum speakers here and check out
their 5Q interviews.
Rick Boyko screens InspirADCion Documentaries
This February, we were thrilled to welcome back former Brandcenter Director Rick Boyko to screen two
films from the InspirADCion documentary series, presented by the Art Director’s Club. The films featured ad
legend Lee Clow and Clive Wilkinson, architect of our own Mike Hughes Hall, among many other creative
spaces like Mother, The Barbarian Group and the Googleplex.
The series explored what made these creative giants the legends we perceive them to be. What drove them,
what lessons did they learn, who mentored them, what mistakes did they make along the way and how did
they learn from them? The screenings were followed by a Q&A panel moderated by Boyko and featuring
alum Katherine Wintsch (ST, 1999), former Brandcenter professor Cabell Harris and Steve Bassett from The
Martin Agency.
Prom and Kickball Traditions Continue
The end of the year was a bit of a whirlwind with recruiter session a week later than usual, but the students
managed to squeeze in some fun in that last week before graduation. This year’s prom theme was—wait for
it—“Prom.” David Hallmark (XD, 2015) and Justine Takacs (XD, 2015) were crowned Prom King & Queen.
The annual kickball game between first and second years was another exciting one with team 2nd year
coming up strong at the end, as they have every single year. Maybe it’s leftover recruiter session adrenaline.
Brandcenter Students Place in VCU-wide Innovation Competition
Two VCU Brandcenter teams were finalists in VCU’s Venture Creation Competition, an annual competition in
which students pitch new business ideas to a panel of judges comprised of local entrepreneurs and venture
capitalists.
Team Dwelling:
Description: Dwelling is dedicated to pushing smaller living forward. We believe that tiny homes are a
legitimate option to affordable homeownership. By raising awareness for this lifestyle and simplifying
the process, Dwelling is redefining real estate for generations to come.
Team Members: John Gaglio (CBM), Mike Grasewicz (CBM), Aldo Padilla (XD), Newman Granger (ST),
Rob Stone (AD), and Kevin Albrecht (ST).
Team Baby K:
Description: Baby K will bring a fast, convenient solution to powdered formula prep. With individual
Keurig K-Cups of baby formula and a quick cooling bottle system, a parent can make the formula their
infant is already eating using any Keurig machine.
Team Members: Molly Cihak (CBM), Davis Gouldin (CBM), Garrett Lyon (CBM), and Lauren Thompson
(CBM).
Team Dwelling
Team Baby K
Brandcenter Alums Launch Innovative New Businesses/Products
Brandcenter alums are applying their creativity to interesting new business ventures. Some have been fullyfunded and others are in the process of being funded. Here are a few we’ve been following. Let us know if
there are others!
Hackaball - A programmable ball for kids’ active and creative play – Rachel Mercer (XD, 2012)
Wetsox - Socks that create a frictionless barrier between your skin and wetsuit so you can be in and out
of your suit/boots in seconds. – Patrick Lorentz (ST, 2008) and Bryan Marville (ST, 2008)
The Cool Baby - an expressive, customizable, hands-free beverage insulator that looks like a baby.
Drinking in public is now adorable. – Simon Philion (CW, 2011)
The Shrimp Cloud - Streams images of shrimp into your home 24/7 – Eric Dennis (AD, 2011)
Shine Craft Vessel Co - Premium growlers, barware, and utilities for social excursions – Jordan Childs
(CBM, 2009)
Roaring Pines - Online and bricks/mortar store featuring American manufacturers and brands - Drew
Dayberry (XD, 2010)
The Baby Bump - “The New Rocking Chair” – Life as a parent has its ups and downs, but don’t fret - so
do we! Baby Bump™ has a leg up on the traditional yoga and fitness balls - 6 legs to be precise. Baby
Bump’s unique peg-legged design keeps the ball stable and stationary and will be a helpful tool/toy for
every stage of your infant’s growth from pregnancy to parenthood. – Sarah Drake (ST, 2005)
Klink - An app that brings beer and wine to your doorstop in less than an hour. Geoff Castillo (AD, 2015)
and Tim Brown (CBM, 2015)
Dustin’s Words - An invention that helps people who can’t speak communicate their needs at the push
of a button. Dustin’s Words is the product of Matt Reamer’s love for his autistic brother, Dustin. Dustin
can’t speak, and, due to a physical disability, he has a hard time getting around. So Matt built a device
that allows him to push a button to send a text message to his mom when they are apart. Thanks to the
device, Dustin can now tell his mother when he has a headache, when he’s hungry, or when he simply
wants to say, “I love you.” - Matt Reamer (XD, 2014)
Behind the Scenes
Faculty News
Scott Witthaus recently edited campaigns for JenCare, a national healthcare organization, and Donate Life,
an organization promoting awareness of how organ donation changes the lives of the recipients. Scott is
also working on a project for Robert Griffith Films to raise funds for a documentary that explores the ripple
effect mental health issues have on the patient, family, community and government.
Brandcenter Board of Advisors News
•We’re excited to welcome two new board members:
Cammy Grusd, VP Client Relations + Industry Marketing at iHeartMedia
Nick Law, Global Chief Creative Officer at R/GA.
•We hosted our Spring board meeting March 25-27. Topics discussed included ways we can continue
to grow and improve our program, updates on new recruitment initiatives, and plans for how we will
continue to engage with the local community and VCU School of Business.
•On April 20th, John Adams, Chairman of the Brandcenter board and Chairman/CEO of The Martin
Agency, was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame, the highest award bestowed within the industry. In receiving this award, John joins an illustrious group of 229 advertising legends, whose inspiration, leadership and accomplishments continue to shape the future of the advertising industry. John
was also presented with the distinguished David Bell Award for Industry Service to recognize extraordinary and unique contributions and service to the advertising community and industry as a whole. It
is named in honor of David Bell (Hall of Fame Class of 2007), a visionary leader and mentor to several
generations of advertising professionals.
Notable GIfts to the Brandcenter
We’re excited to announce these new generous leadership gifts to the Brandcenter.
•Board member Rick Webb made a generous pledge of $50K to name the Brandcenter patio, which is
now the Rick and Emma Webb Patio.
•Board member Dave Knox helped establish the Rockfish Digital Innovation Scholarship to support
students in the Strategy or Experience Design tracks. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate leadership qualities and passion for digital marketing.
•Board member Dick Robertson made a generous stock gift to support the Brandcenter Annual Fund.
•Stuart Parkin, industry recruiter, made a 5-year pledge to continue offering the Derek Parkin Scholarship in memory of his father. It is for the Strategy or Creative Brand Management students deemed by
their peers to be the most collaborative and helpful to their peers.
•Recruiter Session gifts-in-kind totaled almost $6K from Working Not Working, FCB, and Kay and Black
Talent Management.
•Project donors - Our student projects integrate with our curriculum and yield interesting assignments
for students’ portfolios. Thank you to these major brands for directly supporting the VCU Brandcenter
and our students.
Barnes and Noble
Team One
Thalhimer
American Institute for Pharmacognacy
United Way
American Institute of Architects
•The following alums recently donated to the “Claim
Your Brick” campaign:
Spencer Isaac (ST, 2015)
Elizabeth Gardiner (CBM, 2015)
CBMs of 2015 (for Kelly O’Keefe and Don Just)
Katherine Stewart (CBM, 2013)
Lauren Bagden-McGehee (ST, 2006)
Amber Justis (AD, 2001)
Lizzy Kitces (AD, 2012)
Jacob Dubs (CW, 2009)
Joyce Forbes Simmons (ST, 2002)
Brooke-Lynn Luat (ST, 2004)
Mollie Partesotti (ST, 2009)
Gautam Ramdurai (ST, 2011)
Danielle Baukh Stern (CBM, 2008)
Ashley Sommardahl (ST, 1998)
If you’re interested in purchasing a brick, click here.
Hotline
• If you change jobs, addresses, or phone numbers and need to update your contact information,
please fill out this update form and help us keep in touch! You can also ask Ashley Sommardahl,
[email protected], to join our closed alumni Facebook group to see job postings and keep up
with other alums.
• If your agency has any real world projects for the school, please e-mail [email protected] or
[email protected]. The students have recently worked on real world projects for The Boy Scouts
of America, HBO, Barnes & Noble, Google, Coke, Lexus, Microsoft, Audi, Venture Richmond, Hamilton
Beach and new business pitches for agencies. If you’re looking for some strategic and creative firepower, please let us know.
• Who doesn’t need a few more arms, legs and BRAINS now and then? The Brandcenter strategists are
ready and able to help you and your company with existing or new business projects. Need a quick focus group with a younger cohort? Man-on-the-street interviews? In-Home/Dorm interviews? Ideation
sessions? Send the specs to Caley Cantrell, Head of the Strategy track. We’ve worked on fast-turnaround projects for TeamOne, Cramer-Krasselt, Chapter and The Martin Agency. [email protected]
• Please help us promote the Brandcenter at your alma mater
- Undergraduate students LOVE hearing
from our grads about their lives in the “real world” of advertising. If you are interested in recruiting
for the Brandcenter at a nearby university or at your alma mater, please let us know. If you have a
contact, that’s great. If not, we can help you connect with an advertising/marketing professor or an ad
club. We’ll also ship recruiting materials (SIXTYs, keynote, etc.) to the school in preparation for your
arrival. Contact Katherine Keogh ([email protected]) if you are interested. Thanks to all of the alums
who have already been promoting the school with their alma maters.
• Alumni work on Brandcenter website
- We are featuring some of our best alumni work in the Alumni
Showcase on the Brandcenter website. If you have some great work that you would like us to feature on
the site, please send it via youtube or vimeo link or a .mov file to Katherine Keogh at [email protected].
• Thanks to all of our alums that have made donations to the Brandcenter. Donations can help support
a wide variety of Brandcenter priorities.
- VCU Brandcenter Scholarships: as you know, scholarship support to our students is so important
as it helps offset the cost of tuition and other costs associated with attending a full-time graduate
program.
- Brandcenter Annual Fund: This is a powerful way to give because we can use your gift immediately wherever the strategic need is greatest (recruiting materials, mailings, special events, etc.)
Unrestricted gifts allow us to seize opportunities and move with the pace of business. Your gift,
no matter how small, can go a long way.
- Faculty Excellence Fund: We are very proud of our accomplished faculty and the leadership they
provide. Gifts of support to the Faculty Excellence fund, help us establish endowed chairs, fund
research opportunities, provide faculty stipends, reward faculty achievement and enable us to
continue attracting professors who will prepare our students to change the world.
- Questions? Please contact Emily Hale at [email protected]. Gifts can be made online at:
www.support.vcu.edu/give/brandcenter or mailed to the VCU Brandcenter (103 S. Jefferson
Street, Richmond, VA 23284).
Who? What? When?
ST - Strategy
AD - Art Direction
CW - Copywriting
CBM - Creative Brand Management
XD - Experience Design
•Jacob Abernathy (XD, 2010) is a Sr. Art Director at TBWA/Media Arts Lab in Los Angeles.
•Tim Anderson (ST, 1999) is Co-Head of Strategy at Phenomenon in Los Angeles.
•Andrew Aquino (ST, 2007) is Associate Planning Director, Digital and Innovation Strategy at R/GA
in NYC.
•Paul Ayers (CBM, 2007) and his wife, Simone, welcomed a
daughter, Emma Linda Ayers, on January 22, 2014. She joins
big brother, Lucas (3).
Emma Linda Ayers
•Stephen Bardwell (AD, 2011) is Design Lead at Chapter SF.
•Eric Boyd (CW, 2006) has filed all the legally required forms to
be founder of RUFIN - an SF-based agency thing. About RUFIN,
Eric said, “We work with agencies. We have our own clients. We
stole the idea from Cabell. We don’t have a website. We will do
work we respect for people we respect.”
•Ted Burdett (CBM, 2008) is Manager- Digital & Mobile Systems
Delivery at REI in Seattle.
•Sloan Carroll (ST, 2005) won a 2015 Daytime Creative Arts
EMMY Award for Outstanding Promotional Announcement for
work on Ken Burns’ THE ROOSEVELTS film while Director of
Content Marketing Strategy at PBS. Sloan recently moved to
Atlanta and is now heading up advertising and marketing at the
High Museum of Art.
•Bill Carlson (CW, 2011) is a Creative Director at Rokkan in NYC.
•Morgan Copeland (CW, 2007) and his wife, Devon, welcomed a
son, Shepard Elisha Copeland, in January 2014.
Shepard Elisha Copeland
•Ravi Costa (CW, 2002) is a Creative Director at Grey in Malaysia.
•Jared Creason (CW, 2007) is a Creative Director at Olson in Minneapolis.
•Sarah Dailey (CW, 2010) is a freelance writer/ strategist in NYC.
•Drew Dayberry (CT, 2010) is opening a storefront and soda shop in the East End of Richmond this
month. Roaring Pines is an extension of his online shop specializing in goods manufactured in the
US. He was recently featured in Richmond BizSense - http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2015/03/31/
union-hill-stocks-up-on-all-american-goods/
•Will Decher (CW, 2010) is a Sr. Copywriter at TBWA/Media Arts Lab in Los Angeles.
•Tracy DeLuca (CW, 1999) launched a new podcast called “Results May Vary.” It’s a thoughtful experiment to see just what happens when you set out to intentionally design your life. They’ll talk to people
who are already designing their lives as well as those curious to get started. Their dream is to build a
community of people who can create and take advantage of any opportunity that interests them.
•Greg Desmond (AD, 2002) started his own agency, Fort West, in Portland, OR.
•Abbey Dethlefs (CBM, 2011) is a Sr. Strategist at Media Arts Lab. She leads the strategic development
for Apple’s newest endeavor, Apple Music, which launched in June.
•Jason DeTurris (ST, 2002) is Chief Strategy Officer at CP+B. He recently moved to Hong Kong to
manage the global Infiniti account.
•Whitney Martinez Donaldson (CBM, 2010) and her husband,
Steve, were married on April 18, 2015. They’ll be moving to
Paris in August.
•Julie Dulude (CW, 2003) is a Sr. Copywriter at Periscope in
Minneapolis.
•Jennifer Ekeleme (CBM, 2011) is VP of Product/Brand and
Founding Team Member of Shop Paul Inc.
•Greg Elwood (XD, 2012) is a Creative Developer at AKQA in
San Francisco.
•Ian Fairbrother (CW, 2005) is a Sr. Creative at Wieden + Kennedy
in Portland.
•Adrian Fogel (ST, 2001) is a SVP, Planning Director at Y&R
in Chicago.
Steve and Whitney Donaldson
•CJ Franzitta (ST, 2002) is a Group Planning Director at McKinney
in Durham, NC. He and his wife, Brenna, welcomed their first
baby at the stroke of midnight on May 1st, 2015. Gabriella
Mary Franzitta was born weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and
measuring 19.5 inches long.
•Quintina Barnett Gallion (ST, 2008) married William Gallion
January 11, 2014 in Cozumel, Mexico.
•Matt Garcia (CW, 2012) is a Copywriter at GSD&M in Austin.
• Brad Getty (CW, 2010) published I Was
an Awesomer Kid. It’s his second book
in four years. More books to come.
• Amit Gurnani (ST, 2011) is a Writer at
Publicis in Seattle.
Gabriella Mary Franzitta
• Clarissa Hillen (ST, 2011) is a Strategist at Butterfly London, a brand and
innovation consultancy.
• Jamin Hoyle (AD, 2003) is a Creative Director at Global Thinking in
Alexandria, VA.
• Tim Hurt (XD, 2011) is a Producer at White, a digital agency in Northern VA.
• Bryce Isaacson (CW, 2012) is a Copywriter at Arnold in Boston.
•Elyse Jalbert (XD, 2014) is an Experience Designer at Trineo, a smaller dev company based out of New
Zealand with offices in Boulder, Aukland, Christchurch and Sydney.
•Diana Jannuzzi (ST, 2012) is a Communications Manager at Viget in Falls Church, VA.
•Mira Kaddoura (AD, 2002) launched her own agency Red&Co. They created a major campaign for
Google’s Made with Code initiative focused on getting girls more interested in coding/technology.
•Mike Karnjanaprakorn (ST, 2006) was named one of VCU’s 10 Under 10, recognizing ten of VCU’s most
successful alums who have graduated within the last ten years. Mike is the CEO and Founder of www.
skillshare.com.
•David Lewis Kennedy (CW, 2000) is a Freelance CD/Writer in NYC.
•Kris Kennedy (CW, 2009) is a Writer at Onion Labs in Chicago.
•Andrew Kong (CW, 2013) is a Copywriter at Deutsch in Los Angeles.
•Joyce Kuan (AD, 2010) and Oliver Adriance (CW, 2010) were married on May 2, 2014. Joyce is an Art
Director at BBH NY, and Oliver is a Copywriter at Saatchi & Saatchi NY.
• Ed Lahmann (ST, 2004) is a Sr. Asst. Brand Manager at John Middleton Co., an Altria company in
Richmond, VA.
•Richard Langhorne (CW, 2011) is a Copywriter at Barton F. Graf 9000 in NYC.
•Jenny Lee (AD, 2005) is a Sr. Designer at Tether in Seattle.
•Jill Lin (AD, 2008) won two Effie Awards for Oscar Health Insurance work.
•Jessica Longo (CBM, 2014) transferred to REDSCOUT’s NYC office.
•Zach Madrigal (AD, 2013) is an Art Director at Barton F. Graf 9000 in NYC.
•Diane Magid (AD, 2000) made the switch from Creative Director to Creative Recruiter. If you’re looking
for a job, contact her! [email protected]
•Hex Marquez (XD, 2014) is a Sr. UX Specialist at tweddle, a leading international automotive
communications & publishing solutions firm in Detroit.
•Chris Martin (CW, 2013) and his wife Lexie welcomed a son,
Josiah Patrick Martin, on October 2, 2014.
Josiah Patrick Martin
•Steven Martinenza (ST, 2007) is an Account Director, MidAtlantic region for SEEK Company, an innovation consultancy.
•Pat McKay (CW, 2011) is Executive Creative Director at Cole &
Weber in Seattle.
•Kevin Mernin (ST, 2014) is a Strategist at Wunderman in NYC.
•Kai Neddersen (CW, 2013) is a Copywriter at David & Goliath in
Los Angeles.
•Audyn O’Rourke (CBM, 2009) is an Account Director on Ulta Beauty at Mullen in Wintson-Salem, NC.
•Soheil Oliaei (CT, 2014) and his wife Yasmine, welcomed their second child, a son, Nooh (Noah in
Farsi/Arabic) on April 29, 2015.
•Allyson Otis (AD, 2011) is an Art Director at Wunderman in NYC.
•Trish Pavlecich (CW, 2007) launched Tiny Beast. They make film and brand content for companies and
for fun.
•David Perks (CW, 2002) launched his own agency, The Perks Agency, last month.
•Lindsey Randolph (ST, 2004) is a Planning Director at Grey in New York leading the Global Pantene
business and the JM Smucker’s business. Lindsey won a Gold Effie and was recognized by the United
Nations for her team’s Pantene film, “Not Sorry.”
•Aziz Rawat (AD, 2003) is a Freelance Creative Consultant in Minneapolis.
•Brett Reese (CW, 2005) is a Copywriter/ ACD at AKQA in Portland.
•Katy Reyers (ST, 2010) is an Associate Strategy Director at MRY in NYC.
•Whitney Ruef (CW, 2012) is a Copywriter at 180LA.
•Nicole Rocheleau Strada (ST, 2001) is Strategy Director at John McNeil Studio in San Francisco.
•Jonathan Rosen (AD, 1999) left advertising full-time to become a fine artist. This year, he’s had solo
shows in NYC and Sydney and has an upcoming show in Paris this November. Additionally, he’s
launching an art-technology startup that will help artists of all disciplines find art opportunities
(funding, grants, residencies, etc.).
•Missy Barber Rothrock (AD, 1998) is a Sr. Art Director at
Genworth in Richmond, VA.
•Chris Sheldon (CW, 2012) is a Copywriter at Barton F. Graf 9000
in NYC.
•Jessica Barrera Sorley (ST, 2009) is a Manager, Creative
Strategy at Target in Minneapolis.
•Jenny Starks-Dean (CBM, 2012) and her husband, Chris,
welcomed a daughter, Harper, on December 1, 2014.
Harper Dean
•Danielle Baukh Stern (CBM, 2008) and her husband, Dan,
welcomed a son, Levi JJ Stern, on July 7, 2014. He is turning
one soon.
•Katherine Stewart (CBM, 2013) is Brand Curator at Park West
Gallery in Southfield, MI.
•Nathan Toft (CBM, 2012) is a Digital Brand Strategist at The
Richards Group in Dallas.
Levi JJ Stern
•Billy Veasey (AD, 2011) is a Creative Director at Rokkan in NYC.
•Haywood Watkins (ST, 2012) is in his last rotation of the WPP Fellowship at CHI & Partners in London.
He was recently nominated for an ADCOLOR Rising Star Award.
•Rachel West (ST, 2014) has been appointed to the WPP High
Potential program at Team Detroit, recognized by management
as a leader within the WPP organization.
•James Wood (CW, 2009) is a Sr. Copywriter at VSA in Chicago.
•Portland alums ate lunch with President Michael Rao (VCU’s
president) on March 19th before VCU took on Ohio State in the
NCAA tournament.
Portland Alums