Fall 2018 INNOVATIVE PR TEAM

Blake Hedberg: Agency Manager/Graduate Assistant

Blake Hedberg received his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from UCM in May 2017 with a Marketing minor. Blake is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. He is fascinated with consumer research behind purchasing decisions, consumer behavior, and qualitative studies. Blake served as an account specialist with Innovative PR in Fall 2016, where he worked with the Dean of the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies on a social media re-branding project. During his undergraduate studies, Blake interned with Chick-fil-A Lee’s Summit as a PR/Marketing coordinator, expanding his skills beyond the classroom. Blake also stayed involved in several extracurricular organizations like the Public Relations Student Society of America and Sigma Pi Fraternity. Blake hopes to live in Kansas City while working in the agency sector of public relations.

During his time as a graduate student, Blake continued experienced-based learning by interning with Fire Door Solutions, in Stilwell, KS. There, he worked in the Human Resources department and shadowed professionals on all HR functions. The experience provided new knowledge and opened many doors. He will finish his fifth and final semester as the Agency Manager in the spring of 2019. Because of IPR and internships, he will leave UCM with over three years of relevant work experience; a true testament to “Learning to A Greater Degree.”

 

Andrea “Nickey” Buzek: Account Coordinator

Nickey Buzek is a public relations senior with a double minor in marketing and business administration. She is fascinated with the work that comes along with being “the voice behind the voice” and finds her niche in managerial settings. She previously worked with Innovative PR in Fall 2017 as an account specialist where her team was the first to work with an out-of-state client, Fuegorita. Nickey spearheaded IPR’s first cross-country business trip with this client, as well as IPR’s first logo rebrand with her second client, the UCM Bowling Center.

She returns to IPR as an account coordinator with experience in digital marketing from a summer internship with Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City and program management and script writing from a summer internship with P1 Learning. She looks forward to the new opportunities this semester will bring and plans to apply her skills to her newly acquired position as Program Manager for P1 Learning.

 

 

Emily Jarboe: Account Specialist

Emily Jarboe is a senior Public Relations major from Kansas City, Missouri. She has a passion for content creation, social media marketing and graphic design. Over the summer, Emily was the marketing and communications intern for Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, where she developed and scheduled content for all social media accounts, created a restaurant and catering competitive analysis, and participated in meetings and supported activities of preparation and development for internal communication initiatives.

Although this is Emily’s first semester working for IPR, she is eager to expand her knowledge and gain valuable public relations experience outside of the classroom. After graduation, Emily would love to stay in the Kansas City area, with a job that requires her to be creative and continuously inspired every day.

 

 

Kylee Julian: Account  Specialist

Kylee Julian is a Public Relations major from Platte City, Missouri. She interned for Staley Farms Golf Course this past summer serving as their event coordinator and oversaw their social media accounts. This is Kylee’s first semester working in Innovative Public Relations and she is very excited to dive right in and learn all she can.  She is also looking forward to studying abroad this year in Brisbane, Australia with the Public Relations department. After graduation Kylee plans to one day own her own events center where she will host, plan, and coordinate different events.

 

Meredith Trapper: Account Specialist

Meredith Trapper is a Public Relations major from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. She currently serves as the vice president of membership for Delta Zeta. Meredith is currently interning with Warrensburg Main Street, where she is acting as the event coordinator. This is Meredith’s first semester working in Innovative PR and she is excited to challenge herself in the public relations field.

She is also excited to travel to Australia and learn how public relations works worldwide. After graduation, Meredith hopes to pursue a career in sports public relations.

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Thole: Account Specialist

Emily Thole is a senior Public Relations major with a Marketing minor, from Manchester, Iowa. This is her first semester with IPR, and she is excited to learn and grow in her career while working with real clients. Over the summer she interned at the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce in her hometown. There she networked with businesses, ran social media platforms, developed content for events and much more.

On campus, Emily is involved with the Jennie’s Track and Field team, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and she is also a student ambassador for Amazon Prime. After graduation in the spring, Emily hopes to pursue a career in a non-profit or athletic setting.

 

 

 

 

Jasmine Scott: Account Specialist

Jasmine Scott is a senior Public Relations major and Marketing minor from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She has successfully completed two internships in her field; one at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, and one at International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) in Hampton, Virginia. She now freelances for ICM creating content for their social media, blog, and website.

She is heavily involved in her sorority Alpha Omicron Pi and currently holds two executive positions. She was previously a student ambassador, community advisor, and involved in the housing organization, NRHH, at UCM. Upon her graduation in May, she hopes to continue doing freelance work while obtaining a master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia. Jasmine is passionate about big cities and her dog, Ernie.