Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication will present Margery Kraus, the founder and chief executive officer of APCO Worldwide, in a leadership lecture titled “Re-Imagining Communications for the Future: Opportunities and Pitfalls” on Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 the Zell B. Miller Learning Center.
Kraus’ presentation, which is free and open to the public, will discuss the changing landscape of communications and the convergence of public relations and advertising. Kraus will also touch on her experience of running one of the largest independently owned communication and public affairs firms in the world.
Her talk kicks off the Kennedy Symposium on Convergence, which resumes Feb. 14 with two panel discussions at the Tate Student Center Reception Hall. “When Worlds Collide: Convergence of Public Relations and Journalism” takes place at 9:30 a.m. with David Wescott, director of digital strategy for APCO; Keisha Hines, director of public relations, communication and social media for Zoo Atlanta; and Lori Johnston, co-owner of Fast Copy Communications, a copywriting and editing company. At 10:45 a.m., a panel on the “Convergence of Advertising and Public Relations: Digital and Beyond” will feature Coca-Cola executives including Annie Hou, director of global marketing and insights; Doug Busk, director of global connections and innovation; and Jonathan “Rocky” Rief, group director of corporate public affairs and communication. Moxie Interactive will conclude the symposium that afternoon with a workshop for a group of students selected through an application process.
APCO Worldwide, founded in 1984, is a global consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., where Kraus specializes in public affairs, communication and business consulting for major multinationals. She has experience in providing strategic counsel on issue-based communication, crisis management, market entry and corporate reputation across diverse industry groups. In addition, she pioneered one of the industry’s earliest practices in corporate responsibility and the development of public/private partnerships. She has received awards including Volunteers of America Spirit of the Founders (2012), Arthur W. Page Society’s Hall of Fame (2011), Enterprising Women Hall of Fame (2009), Washington PR Woman of the Year (2006) and PR News Lifetime Achievement (2005).
Kraus is active on institutional and corporate boards and committees, including the Close Up Foundation, a multimillion dollar educational foundation sponsored in part by the U.S. Congress that she helped create and develop.
Kraus graduated from American University with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in political science and public law. She serves as a trustee of American University and sits on the advisory board of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
UGA Grady College
Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication offers undergraduate majors in journalism, advertising, public relations, digital and broadcast journalism and mass media arts. The college offers two graduate degrees, and is home to the Peabody Awards, internationally recognized as one of the most prestigious prizes for excellence in electronic media. For more information, see www.grady.uga.edu or follow @UGAGrady on Twitter.