About Program

Join PRSA Chicago for a discussion on the PR strategies behind Chicago-based brands. We’ll dissect brand strategy, social media integration, local versus national media strategy, how to manage multiple agencies and team members, and more. Please join us for breakfast at the University Club to learn about the strategies behind Fortune 500 PR programs. Adrienne Weiss, an author on brand strategy, will moderate this conversation with Barilla, Gogo, Northwestern University and Wolters Kluwer providing their insights.

Our Speakers

Alan K. Cubbage
Adjunct Lecturer and Vice President of University Relations, Northwestern University
(@alcub)

Alan K. Cubbage is the Vice President for University Relations of Northwestern University, which has campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and Doha, Qatar. He is responsible for direction and management of Northwestern’s top-level communications activities, including media relations, publications and web communications. He also serves as the University’s chief spokesman and directs all crisis communications efforts. He has worked extensively in both traditional and new media.

In addition, Mr. Cubbage supervises the university’s alumni magazine, Northwestern, and the faculty/staff and alumni electronic newsletters, Northwestern News. He also assists in the University’s community relations efforts and was in charge of the celebration of Northwestern’s Sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of Northwestern’s founding.

Mr. Cubbage is an adjunct lecturer in Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, teaching public relations and integrated marketing communications. He also is a speaker at conferences on topics ranging from crisis communications to effective use of online communications.

Mr. Cubbage received his undergraduate degree in communications from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, and earned two master’s degrees, one in journalism and one in advertising, from Northwestern’s Medill School. He also holds a law degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and is a member of the Illinois Bar.

A life-long Chicago Cubs fan, Mr. Cubbage enjoyed a wonderful season last year and has high hopes for this year.

Laura Gingiss
Director of Public Relations and Communications, Wolters Kluwer
(@WKTAAUS)

As the Director of Public Relations and Communications, Laura oversees both internal and external communications for the Tax & Accounting division of Wolters Kluwer, a global information services and solutions provider. Laura works tirelessly to protect the brand and position the Tax & Accounting division – which provides software solutions and local expertise to help tax, accounting, and audit professionals research and navigate complex regulations, comply with legislation, manage their businesses and advise clients with speed, accuracy and efficiency – as a global market leader. She also develops and leads communications programs to educate, engage and excite more than 5,000 Tax & Accounting employees globally.

Laura has nearly 20 years of communications experience and has specialized in supporting professional and financial services companies throughout her career, both on the client and agency side. Prior to joining Wolters Kluwer in 2015, Laura was Senior Manager of Public Relations at Discover Financial Services, overseeing communications activities for the consumer credit card business and global merchant network. She began her career on the agency side, leading communications efforts for global law firms, consulting firms and other renowned brands, both at Ogilvy Public Relations and Hill & Knowlton.

Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies from Brandeis University, triple-minoring in Journalism, English and Women’s Studies.

Steve Nolan
Vice President of Corporate Communications, Gogo
(@snolan520)

Steve Nolan joined Gogo in 2011 and currently serves as the company’s vice president of corporate communications.  Steve is responsible for managing all aspects of Gogo’s external and internal communications including social media.  During his career at Gogo, he supported a complete rebranding of the company from Aircell to Gogo.  He also helped guide the company through its IPO and has supported the company’s growth into a global organization.

Steve has more than 20 years of communications and journalism experience and has served in leadership positions in both PR agency and corporate roles, supporting some of the most recognizable brands in the world. He started his career as a television reporter and writer.

Steve earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Iowa and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Prita Wadhwani
Head of Marketing Communications, Barilla America
@PritaWadhwani

Prita Wadhwani leads marketing communications strategy and activation initiatives across Barilla’s portfolio of brands in the United States. Her specialty is designing award-winning platforms that grow brand equity and are grounded in storytelling and purpose.

Most recently, she is spearheading an effort to grow the pasta category in the U.S. called “Passion For Pasta”. The effort includes nutrition strategy and innovation, influencer relations, an “always-on” approach to listening and content development, and a content series aimed at reaching a Millennial audience called “While the Water Boils”. She also led a Barilla effort called “Share The Table”, an equity-building thought-leadership platform for the Barilla brand, which earned several industry awards. She began her tenure with Barilla in brand management and digital/social media, working on the flagship Barilla pasta brand. Prior to Barilla, Prita laid the foundation for future marketing work in consumer insights at IRI, working on landmark CPG brands like Frito-Lay and Keebler.

Prita holds a B.A. in Economics from The University of Chicago and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and is passionate about any and all things creative, dogs and her family.

Our Moderator

Adrienne Weiss
Brand Strategy Author, Adrienne Weiss Corporation
@AWeissCorp

Since 1986, Adrienne Weiss has helped develop award winning brand strategies for food and beverage companies, retailers, consumer products, convenience stores, real estate, sports stadiums and entertainment concepts. As an international speaker on branding, Adrienne has enlightened a variety of audiences, talking about creating brand genetics and deploying them to make stronger connections with consumers. Prior to the founding of AWC, Adrienne was with Applause, Inc., where she helped expand the Smurf’s brand to over one billion dollars in revenue. After her successful tenure at Applause, Adrienne became the President of Rage, Inc., a gift manufacturing business.

Program Details

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