#TXSTPR Day

Welcome

An annual event designed to connect the community of public relations students, faculty, and alumni in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  

Our second annual PR Day and will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, on the Texas State University campus.

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  • February 20, 2025

    • TXST Quad 
      ⏰ 8 a.m. to Noon 
      The PLANTERS NUTMobile will roll into the TXST Quad and park for the morning to pass out peanuts, offer information on jobs with the NUTMobile, and introduce selfies with Mr. Peanut. TXST President Damphousse will be joining in on the fun at 11 a.m.  

    • Old Main 320 
      ⏰ 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

      Texas State PR alum Katie Krupinski and her team of Peanutters who travel the country with the PLANTERS NUTMobile will share stories from their travels and how they juggle events, social media content and media relations for a major brand. 

    • Old Main 320 
      ⏰ 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
      Interviewing Tips for Students: 
      Kerri Qunell, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Texas Tribune, and a Texas State alum 
      Young Alumni Panel: Getting Your Start in Sports and Agency PR 
      Texas State PR alumni who work in sports and at PR firms share how to get your foot in the door. 
      Panelists:

      • Lydia Crow, Associate, INK Communications
      • Lexi Davila, Creative Assistant, Texas State Athletics
      • Ashleigh Doan, Senior Account Executive, Leadhub
      • Raegan Haggard, Account Executive, Giant Noise

    • Old Main 320 
      ⏰ 2-3:20 p.m. 
      Join us to connect with our community of students and faculty and enjoy drinks and sweets. 
      Student Involvement Panel: How to get involved with student organizations such as PRSSA, Bobcat Promotions, and other groups to build your portfolio and professional connections. 
      Panelists:

      • Emma Vega, President, PRSSA
      • Leah Gonsalves, Executive Director, Bobcat Promotions
      • Katherine Andrews, Director of Public Relations, The University Star
      • Jasmine Lozoya, Assistant Promotions Director, KTSW
      • Shauné Smith, Modeling Director, Lewk Magazine
      • Ariana Alcantar, Social Media Director, Her Campus Media
      • Maddy Ramon, Participant, Study in America (Seattle 2024)

      Sponsored by: Bobcat Promotions and Texas State PRSSA

    • LBJ 402 (Teaching Theater) 
      ⏰ 3:30 - 4:50 p.m.

      How did Austin get a Major League Sports team? Communication was critical, and these industry leaders were the key players. This expert panel will talk about the role that public relations, branding, community relations, and podcasting played in bringing a Major League Soccer team to Austin and developing a strong fan base. 

Austin FC Logo

Playing in the Major Leagues: Insights on the Founding of Austin FC 

LBJ 402 (Teaching Theater) 
3:30-4:50 p.m. 

Jeremiah Bentley

Jeremiah Bentley

Co-Host and Writer, Moontower Soccer
Vice President of Marketing & Community Affairs, Texas Mutual Insurance Company 

Jeremiah Bentley is the Vice President of Marketing & Community Affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance. He oversees the company’s marketing, public relations, advertising, community relations, digital media and customer experience efforts. He is also a passionate member of the Austin soccer community and is a co-host and writer for the popular Moontower Soccer podcast. He holds a BS in University Studies from the University of Texas-Arlington.

Kristin Marcum

Kristin Marcum

TXST Alum and CEO/Owner, ECPR Texas 

From 2017 to 2019, ECPR Texas led the communications and community outreach campaign--called MLS2ATX--that resulted in Austin FC. 

Marty Butler

Marty Butler

TXST Alum and Founder, Chief Creative Officer, BUTLER 

As Butler’s creative leader, Marty’s deep background in storytelling and design allows him to guide and sculpt brands that perform and gain value in the marketplace. Marty was born in Austin and attended Texas State. He studied fine art, design and mass comm and began his career at GSD&M advertising. He founded Butler in 2003 with his brother Adam. His company has had the opportunity to shape brands like Austin FC, The Blanton Museum of Art, Texas State Parks Foundation, Tacodeli, Texas Children’s Hospital, Real Ale Brewing and College Board.

Gissela SantaCruz

Gissela SantaCruz

Senior Director of Community Impact, Austin FC 

Gissela SantaCruz is the daughter of immigrant parents. In 2018, she served as a Community Engagement & Projects Specialist to support the MLS2ATX movement to help lobby the City of Austin for the future site of a Major League Soccer stadium in the city. Gissela was subsequently named Director of Community Impact after Austin FC was named the MLS’ 27th Club in 2019. Prior to joining Austin FC, she was an award-winning journalist at the Austin American-Statesman and an Editorial Board member.

Dave Greeley

Dave Greeley

Sports Business Consultant, Team Orbis 

Dave's career in sports includes serving as chief marketing officer of the NFL's Chicago Bears and president of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire before joining MLS' Columbus Crew as the owner's representative. Dave led the effort to bring Major League Soccer to Austin.

Peanutter Logo

A Day in the Life of a Peanutter: Event Planning, Socials and Media Relations 

Old Main 320 
9:30-10:30 a.m. 

Katie Krupinski

krupinski

Peanutter, Planters NUTMobile

Katie Krupinski graduated from Texas State University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration. She currently works for Planters Peanuts, and her role as a “Peanutter” consists of driving a 26-foot-long peanut on wheels and aiding in nationwide marketing campaigns and events. 

Check out the PLANTERS  NUTMobile team!

The Texas Tribune Logo

Kickstarting Your Career in PR 

Old Main 320 
12:30-2 p.m. 

Kerri Qunell

Qunell

Director of Marketing and Communications, Texas Tribune

Kerri Qunell is an experienced marketing communications leader and the Director of Marketing and Communications for The Texas Tribune. There, she leads the marcom team to amplify the Tribune's brand, products, journalism, and events. She holds a BA in Journalism with a specialization in public relations from Texas State University and a master's degree in organizational leadership and ethics from St. Edward’s University, where she taught business communication for over a decade.

Lydia Crow

Crow

Associate, INK Communications

Lydia Crow is an associate on the communications team at INK Communications Co., where she focuses on all things media relations for B2B technology clients. Prior to joining INK, Lydia was an account coordinator at Bhava Communications, where she worked with a wide range of B2B technology clients in the cloud database, AI and AgTech spaces.

Lexi Davila

Lexi Davila

Creative Assistant, Texas State Athletics

Lexi Davila is a senior Sports PR major at Texas State. She works for Texas State Athletics as a Creative Student Assistant, and her job includes social media, game updates and photography.

Ashleigh Doan

Ashleigh Doan

Senior Account Executive, Leadhub

Ashleigh Doan is a Senior Account Executive for a full-service marketing agency in San Antonio called Leadhub. She graduated from Texas State in 2021 with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication Studies.

Raegan Haggard

Raegan Haggard

Account Executive, Giant Noise

Raegan Haggard began her public relations career in Los Angeles, gaining valuable experience in the luxury real estate, travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. In 2023, she returned to her home state of Texas and joined Giant Noise where she leads a diverse portfolio of restaurants, hotels, and food festivals.

For more information, contact Debra Price, debraprice@txstate.edu