Laura Duke, Robbie Williams, Kellie Brys, Ryan Daniels, Virginia-Pilot Recruiting Manager Bob Morgan, Beth Tackabery, Yasmin Sadiq and Lauren Sundberg. Photo by Krystal Pittman.

Student Media advertising director, Robbie Williams, a senior in business management, was recognized at the regional Southern University Newspapers conference in Norfolk, Vir. Sept. 29. Williams, who hosted a roundtable discussion for first-time ad manager, was recognized for the best “adea” at the conference — bundling media.

Krystal Pittman, business office manager, said, “The judges applauded the staff for making the move to bundling because it is the new way to approach advertisers and is something their departments are moving towards.”

Williams said, “We are putting an emphasis on having the media work together to increase sales. We like to be able to go to clients and present information on all of the media and how a business can package the same ad for use on the radio station and in the newspaper, for example.”

Pittman, secretary of SUN and a former NCSU student advertising director, said the conference, hosted by Landmark Communications, parent company of the Virginian-Pilot, gave students a unique opportunity to visit with professionals in the newspaper advertising industry.

“Our business staff continues to grow,” Pittman said. “As it does, we’re able to provide more opportunities for students to help them further their careers. This was a great chance for students to meet with professionals and to network with each other.”

Seven students (Laura Duke, Robbie Williams, Kellie Brys, Ryan Daniels, Beth Tackabery, Yasmin Sadiq and Lauren Sundberg) from the Student Media business department, which handles sales of advertising and sponsorships for the Technician, WKNC radio, the Agromeck yearbook and the Nubian Message, attended the conference.