Athens, Ga. – Tim Mapes, vice president of marketing at Delta Air Lines, was awarded the inaugural Dean’s Medal for Communication Leadership from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, today.
Mapes, a 1986 advertising alumnus of the Grady College, was honored in a ceremony at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters. Grady Dean E. Culpepper Clark presented the award and noted that Mapes’ role in marketing communications at Delta contributed measurably to the airline’s successful emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring.
The Grady College Dean’s Medal was established this year to honor an alumnus who plays a significant role in a communication event that rises to the status of “case study” in one of the journalism and mass communication disciplines.Case studies bring interesting, real-world situations into the classroom and Mapes’ role in marketing communication at Delta warrants commendation and further study by advertising and public relations students.
“In saluting Tim,werecognize the quality of external and internal communication at the airline-in essence, the role that communication leadership played in Delta’s successful emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring, which benefits airline passengers, the state, the nation and the industry,” said Clark.
Mapes, 42, was promoted to Delta’s vice president of marketing in March after serving as the company’s managing director of marketing and cultural transformation. In his new capacity, Mapes oversees global brand development, business intelligence, relationship marketing, international marketing, including advertising and worldwide sponsorships, as well as cause-marketing activities including the Delta Foundation where he serves as president. He joined Delta in 1992 as manager of international advertising and promotion.
Prior to joining Delta, Mapes worked with the advertising agency, BBDO. He has been inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement, named one of Marketing’s “Rising Stars” by Baume & Mercier and Forbes magazine, and recognized as a 2006 “Top Innovator” by Advertising Age magazine.
During his 15 years at Delta, Mapes has led some of the company’s most innovative brand and marketing programs, including the creation and market introduction of the airline’s Song brand from which Delta continues to adopt a number of service and brand features.
“The Grady College Dean’s Medal is an appropriate honor because Tim Mapes is an innovator and a creative problem solver,” said Karen W. King, head of the Grady College Department of Advertising and Public Relations. “We are so pleased to recognize him for his talents and his leadership.”
Dean Krugman, Grady College professor of advertising, recalled having Mapes as a student in his advertising management class during the mid 1980s. “I have watched Tim’s career blossom over the years. His success is quite gratifying, but not at all surprising,” Krugman said. “I did a quick check of my grade book-yes, we do keep them that long. Tim was smart. He was extremely adept at learning the advertising management concepts of investment and long term planning. He understood that successful strategy involved more than just making ads.”
Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication provides seven undergraduate majors including advertising, broadcast news, magazines, newspapers, public relations, publication management and telecommunication arts. The college offers two graduate degrees, and is home to the Knight Chair in Health and Medical Journalism and the Peabody Awards, considered the electronic broadcasting industry’s most prestigious prize. For more information, see www.grady.uga.edu.