UO to host advertising executive Bonnie Wan

Eugene, Ore.  – (Jan. 10, 2014) – The UO’s School of Journalism and Communication will host advertising executive Bonnie Wan as the 2014 Richard Ward Executive-in-Residence from Jan. 15 to Jan. 17.

Bonnie Wan, 2014 Richard Ward Executive-in-ResidenceWan will lead workshops for advertising students and participate in discussions with faculty. In addition, Wan will offer a keynote presentation, “Creativity + Community in Action: Harnessing the power of communication to change the world,” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Ford Alumni Center Giustina Ballroom. The lecture is free and open to the public.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a compelling speaker who is an inspirational leader in the creative industry,” said Deb Morrison, Chambers Distinguished Professor of Advertising.

As group brand strategy director at Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Wan has worked with Adobe, Nest, Sonic, Got Milk, and Thorn.

In addition to working on brand strategy, Wan is the leadership development and training director; she runs the company’s management training program aimed to elevate the character of the agency through its senior leaders.

Prior to joining GSP in 1998, Wan held planning positions at TBWA\Chiat\Day, Hal Riney & Partners, and Foote Cone Belding. She also co-founded Project Juice and Witness The Way We Live, taking “planning arts” and creatively applying them to individuals, organizations and documentary film.

About the Richard Ward Executive-in-Residence program

The Ward Executive-in-Residence program brings in all-star advertising professionals for a week of student interaction, classes, discussion, and the keynote event. The program began in 2002; it was made possible by a gift from Richard Ward, a 1977 UO business graduate and 30-year veteran of the advertising industry. Ward is now CEO and owner of 22Squared in Atlanta.

About the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication

The University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) produces outstanding writers, editors, digital media makers, strategists, and critical thinkers by providing a program grounded in ethics, innovation, and social responsibility. The SOJC hosts the annual Journalists- and Executives-in-Residence programs as well as the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism, and the annual Johnston and Ruhl Lectures. The school counts nine Pulitzer Prize winners among its more than 9,000 graduates. For more information about the SOJC, please click here.

Media contact: Kellee Weinhold, 541-346-2897, kelleew@uoregon.edu

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