Sandage Summer Academy 2023

This is a bi- yearly event and will take place in Summer 2023.
Check back soon for more information.

Sandage Summer Academy 2021

Industry Partners

The Hub for Brand Innovation and Advertising Technology presents “Frontiers of Digital Advertising.” This inaugural, virtual program focuses on the future of data analytics and innovative uses of technology in the advertising industry.

This four-part, in-depth series is a unique, interactive event for learners. Sessions will include hands-on activities, lectures by world-class instructors, and demonstrations by industry experts. Learners can register for individual sessions and for the full program. Participants will receive certificates and digital badges from the University of Illinois upon completion of the academy.

Seats are limited to ensure a personalized, hands-on experience. This is a special opportunity you won’t want to miss!

For group rates or corporate training information, please contact Susan Muirhead at muirhea@illinois.edu.

Session 1: The Attention Economy

Friday, July 9, 9am to 3pm CDT (Industry Partner: Google)

9am CDT: Opening Panel Discussion

Esteemed industry partners give us their inside take on the digital media and advertising technology landscape. Panelists include:

  • Scott Anderson, Brand Marketing Director, Office of Strategic Brand Management, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Annie Keller, Experience Consultant, Slack
  • Utsav Mamoria, Insights Head, APAC and EMEA at InMobi Pulse
  • Alyse Stemm, Director of Sales, Effectv
  • Joseph Yun, Research Assistant Professor; Founder of the Social Media Macroscope; Director of Gies Data Science Research Service, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

10am CDT Lecture:

“Audience Insights” with Harsh Taneja, Associate Professor, Department of Advertising

12pm CDT:

Virtual Lunch

1pm to 3pm CDT Workshop:

“Google Data Analysis Case Study” with Kevin Hartman, Global Head of Analyst Development at Google.

Participants will analyze actual data and use innovative measurement tools to generate audience insights and to create a Data Analysis report. Learners will work in teams and receive feedback from industry experts.

Session 2: Neuromarketing

Friday, July 16, 10am to 3pm CDT (Industry Partner: Tobii Pro)

10am CDT Lecture:

“What Can the Brain Tell Us About Thinking?” with Jacob Fisher, Assistant Professor, Department of Advertising

12pm CDT:

Virtual Lunch

1pm to 3pm CDT Workshop:

“Eye Tracking Capabilities for Understanding Consumer Behavior” with Jarryd McManus, Account Manager, Tobii Pro, North America

Tobii Pro will show participants the possibilities of what eye tracking can tell us through a demo of their latest eye tracking technology. They will also share applications and examples of their cutting edge eye tracking research.

Session 3: Programmatic Advertising

Friday, July 23, 10am to 3pm CDT (Industry Partner: Amobee)

10am CDT Lecture:

“Measuring Advertising Effectiveness and Attribution” with Ewa Maslowska, Assistant Professor, Department of Advertising

12pm CDT:

Virtual Lunch

1pm to 3pm CDT Workshop:

"Brand Intelligence for Advertisers" with Alex Puzzolo, Senior Analyst, Amobee

Session 4: Brand Strategy in the Modern Marketplace

Friday, July 30, 9am to 3pm CDT (Industry Partner: Amazon Advertising)

9am CDT Lecture:

“Brand Strategy in the Modern Marketplace” with Shachar Meron, Senior Lecturer, Department of Advertising

11am CDT:

Virtual Lunch

12pm to 2pm CDT Workshop:

“How the Honest Company Grew Sales with a Full-Funnel Advertising Strategy” with Kaley Holub, Taylor Lundy and Krista Peccatiello, Account Executives, Amazon

When Jessica Alba couldn’t find one brand to trust for all her everyday needs, she decided to create it, founding The Honest Company in 2012. Since then, the company’s mission has been to empower people to live happy, healthy lives. To accelerate the growth of its business, The Honest Company was looking for efficient ways to build brand awareness and drive sales.s

2pm to 3pm CDT: Closing Panel Discussion

Panelists include:

  • Matt Ahrens, Senior Director, Engineering, Verizon Media
  • Helen Katz, Executive Vice President Research, Publicis (Chicago)
  • Natalia Mleczko, Client Solutions Manager, TikTok
  • Scott Neslund, Vice President of Client Services, The Trade Desk
  • Mike Yao, Professor & Head at Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Clyde Zhang, Senior Experience Strategist, RAPP (San Francisco)