Make Networking Work for You! luncheon

Mix and mingle with media pros

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Nov. 15
Franklin Hall, Presidents Hall

Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating. Let’s scale back the conversation, hear from the pros, and explore their best suggestions for networking success!

11:30 a.m.-noon

Alumni will be assigned a table based on their area of expertise (two per table).
Students will select a table based on their interests (six students, first come first served).
Eat and chat with industry professionals.

Noon-12:30 p.m.

Mini-panel featuring tips/tricks, highlights/failures, guided by Luci Rainey. Panelists include:

Brittnee Hensley
Sean Smith
Nik Traxler
Alicia Webb

12:30-1 p.m.

Conversation starters at the table – alumni to guide conversations and students can practice in smaller groups.

Brittnee Hensley

BA'19, senior account manager, Wasserman

While majoring in sports media at IU, Brittnee Hensley also worked as an intern at the Cuban Center. She has spent the past three years navigating the brand partnership landscape from the agency side, currently managing a brand partnership with Major League Baseball. Previously, Brittnee spent three seasons with FC Cincinnati as a member of their partnerships activation team.

Sean Smith

BA'95, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER, THIRD STREET ATTENTION AGENCY

Third Street has grown from an idea on a napkin to an award-winning creative partner for consumer and B2B brands internationally. Sean’s perspectives on communication and business trends have been featured in multiple media outlets, including The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, and FastCompany.com. Prior to launching Third Street, Sean led the marketing efforts for all rock-formatted stations at CBS Radio. He has also held leadership positions at the legendary WXRT-FM in Chicago and WRRM-FM in his hometown of Cincinnati, where he started his career as an on-air personality known as The Prize Doctor.

Nik Traxler

BA'07, founding partner and managing director, Hot Lava Agency

Nik Traxler founded Los Angeles-based ad agency Hot Lava Agency after working at some of the most creative agencies in the country, including Wieden + Kennedy, Google Creative Lab, Sid Lee, Y&R NY, and The Martin Agency. Nik entered the industry as a producer and eventually migrated to operations and new business development.

Alicia Webb

BAJ'04, PR/communications consultant, Bright Spot Public Relations, LLC

Alicia has held roles in media relations, corporate communications, event planning and brand management with several organizations including Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Generation Bio, and M. Holland Company. Alicia is also a certified life coach. She is on the board of directors for the Chicago chapter of the Indiana University Alumni Association. She is also a member of the Indiana University Media School Alumni Board.