by AMA Knoxville | Aug 11, 2019 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Lee Hume
COMPANY: The University of Tennessee
TITLE: Senior Art Director
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO?
We help students reach their goals.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING THERE?
My colleagues, the students, and the mission.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THAT JOB?
35 years.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF AMA KNOXVILLE?
3 years.
WHY DID YOU JOIN/RENEW?
Great colleagues and excellent programs.
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF YOUR AMA KNOXVILLE MEMBERSHIP?
Networking and making new connections.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CLIENT?
One that is enthusiastic, excited, collaborative, and wants to explore new ideas.
WHAT DO YOU FIND BEST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN KNOXVILLE?
The small “big town”, personal, “can do” attitude that prevails throughout the business community. They always light up when they know they may get a UT job.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
Family and home improvement.
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES, OR TV AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
Enjoy reading. One of my favorite authors is Dan Brown. Especially liked The Da Vinci Code and Origin. Also enjoyed Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Currently reading Nelson DeMille’s The Cuban Affair.
by AMA Knoxville | Jun 12, 2019 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Christine Smith
COMPANY: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
TITLE: Assistant Director, Enrollment Management Communications
WEBSITE: https://admissions.utk.edu
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR PRESENT JOB?
I’ve been working at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville since 2015, but have only recently transitioned to Enrollment Management Communications. Previously I worked as the Digital Marketing Director for the Center for Transportation Research.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING THERE?
I like working at UT because my core values and beliefs directly follow those of the University by “serv[ing] the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication and application of knowledge.” Particularly in the field of Marketing––education and advancement is incredibly important to continued success within the industry.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO BEST?
We provide digital and print communications to prospective and current students attending the University regarding admission procedures, scholarship opportunities, enrollment specifics, housing information, etc. We are best known for our devotion to the student experience while they make Rocky Top their Home Sweet Home.
WHY DID YOU JOIN/RENEW AT AMA?
I joined AMA and the Knoxville chapter after first volunteering on the Conference Committee by creating graphics for the 2016 event. I continued to volunteer on the Communications Committee until I was asked by then President, Susan Napier-Sewell to join the Board of Directors as the Brand Design Director. AMA was preparing for the launch of their new branding standards and Susan thought I would be a great fit to help the Knoxville chapter with those efforts.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN AMA KNOXVILLE MEMBER?
I’ve been a member of the Knoxville chapter since 2016.
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF YOUR AMA KNOXVILLE MEMBERSHIP?
I’ve had great networking opportunities being part of AMA Knoxville. The frequent events that are hosted bring in large audiences and I have learned a great deal from the presentations that have expanded my professional development within the Marketing industry. What I value most however, has been the opportunities I’ve had to volunteer on the Board of Directors by helping the community with partnerships like Leaders for Readers and the annual Honors event which raises funds for scholarships that our chapter provides to UT and particularly the students associated with the UT chapter of AMA.
WHAT DO YOU FIND BEST ABOUT WORKING IN KNOXVILLE?
The people, especially within the Marketing Community. I have found everyone to be extremely welcoming and genuine. Networking in Knoxville does not feel overwhelming or intimidating and I would encourage those who have had hesitations to come on out to one of our events and see for yourself how great it can be to meet everyone.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
I am passionate about health and wellness and have been an avid crossfitter for several years. A recent injury has put a pause on my frequency at the gym, but I still continue to help promote nutritional events in the community and participate heavily in the BeWell programs on campus.
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES, OR TV AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
Game of Thrones was my favorite TV series despite the way it ended.
by AMA Knoxville | May 15, 2019 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Macy Brink
COMPANY: The IT Company
TITLE: Marketing Coordinator
WEBSITE: http://theitco.net
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR PRESENT JOB?
1 year––I began working at The IT Company part time while in my last semester of undergrad, and transitioned into full time after I graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AROUND AMA KNOXVILLE?
I joined AMA around April of last year. I have been attending as many monthly luncheons and other events as possible since then.
WHAT DO YOU DO AS A VOLUNTEER WITH AMA Knoxville?
My time volunteering was primarily centered around AMA Knoxville’s 2018 Conference: Wonder. I served as the Sponsorship Coordinator on the conference committee. I have since joined the AMA Knoxville Board and will be serving as the VP of Membership next term.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT VOLUNTEERING WITH AMA KNOXVILLE?
What I enjoy most about volunteering and being a part of AMA Knoxville is the people. Everyone that is part of the organization is so willing and so helpful. During my first few months after graduation, the people of AMA Knoxville were a huge resource for me. Not one person has hesitated to meet with me and provide their knowledge, expertise, guidance, and companionship. Every member brings different experiences, knowledge, and resources to the group. There is so much that can be learned from one another, and I believe that AMA fosters an environment that allows for people to grow and learn from one another in a positive and welcoming way.
WHAT HAVE YOU RECEIVED BACK FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH AMA KNOXVILLE?
From volunteering for AMA Knoxville, I would say my biggest take away was being provided the opportunity to learn. As I mentioned, everyone brings something different to the table, so being able to work with a small group of people on the conference committee brought me the opportunity to expand my knowledge. It was also a great opportunity to get to know more people as I worked with them to become sponsors.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
My favorite past time is teaching dance. I grew up dancing since the age of 3 and continued it through college where I danced on The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Dance Team. To keep dance part of my life, I teach a couple nights a week to kids ranging in ages 6-18. I not only love it because of my passion for dance, but I also love getting to mentor kids and invest in their growth.
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES, OR TV AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
I love to read. My current favorite books are Love Does and Everybody Always by Bob Goff.
by AMA Knoxville | Apr 8, 2019 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Chris Hill
COMPANY: Smallball Media
TITLE: Chief Operations Officer
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA: www.smallballmedia.com; Smallball Media Facebook; Follow on Twitter @smallballmedia
WHY DID YOU JOIN/RENEW AT AMA?
I really enjoy the AMA community and the opportunities to learn and expand my marketing knowledge that come with being a part of it.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER?
This will be my second year as an official member. Unofficially, I’ve been involved on and off since college.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AMA KNOXVILLE MEMBERSHIP?
In addition to continued learning, I hope to continue to grow existing AMA relationships and make some new friends through AMA in the coming year.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO BEST?
We make shareable content for messaging apps, or, to put it simply, we make stickers, emojis, gifs, and apps.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CLIENT?
I love clients that bring a creative challenge to the table.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING THERE?
Working in a startup is its own ongoing creative challenge. Each day can look drastically different, and there’s always a new opportunity around the bend.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THAT JOB?
About a year and three months.
WHAT DO YOU FIND BEST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN KNOXVILLE?
It’s a big city, but everyone seems to know each other or be just one degree separated. And growing any business is about who you know.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
That’s a though one. I really enjoy creative projects. Depending on the time of year, you can find me doing anything from costuming to photography to podcasting. On the less-creative side, I enjoy playing Xbox with my friends online.
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES OR TV, AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
Fantasy: The Lord of the Rings
Fiction: The Shadow of the Wind
Non-Fiction: Good Strategy / Bad Strategy: The difference and why it matters
Movies: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Brick
TV: Arrested Development, The Office, Parks & Rec, Better Call Saul, Top Gear, and The Grand Tour
by AMA Knoxville | Apr 3, 2018 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Annie LaLonde
COMPANY: Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc.
TITLE: Marketing & Advertising Director
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA: www.shoneysknox.com, Facebook, Twitter
WHY DID YOU JOIN/RENEW AT AMA?
AMA provides a forum for learning and meeting other marketing professionals in the community. We get so caught up in our everyday tasks that we often forget the world is changing around us, and we need to keep learning!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF AMA?
20+ years
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF IT?
Sharing ideas with other marketing professionals is so valuable to me. During networking events we have helped each other brainstorm ideas to solve issues in our organizations. I also have taken several AMA webinars that have been very helpful to me and Shoney’s.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO BEST?
Serve guests great food in a comfortable setting with friendly service. Shoney’s is known for the best Fresh Food Bar, Breakfast Bar and for our signature desserts, Strawberry Pie and Hot Fudge Cake!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CLIENT?
All of our guests are valuable to Shoney’s, however, we love introducing our Fresh Food Bar to new generations of guests.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING THERE?
Shoney’s has a stellar reputation for providing good food at a great value, that’s vitally important. However, I’m very proud of the ongoing community support that Shoney’s has provided to countless organizations over the past 55 years. While Shoney’s works rather quietly on many community events, we were truly honored to receive the 2017 Knoxville Chamber of Commerce’s Pinnacle Impact Award, recognizing our long-term community impact over the years.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THAT JOB?
11 years
WHAT DO YOU FIND BEST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN KNOXVILLE?
I describe Knoxville as a big “small-town”. It’s big enough to have lots of opportunity, but small enough that one can get to know people in business and marketing. It’s a friendly place to work and live.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
Depends on the season – waterskiing/boating and snow skiing! I’m a passionate Green Bay Packers fan!
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES OR TV, AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
I love to read, mostly fiction. I am a die-hard “Survivor” fan!
Next time you’re at an AMA Knoxville event, be sure to chat with Annie about what she’s reading!
by AMA Knoxville | Feb 2, 2018 | Member Spotlight
NAME: Daniel Monday
COMPANY: Slamdot
TITLE: COO
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA: www.slamdot.com, Facebook, LinkedIn
WHY DID YOU JOIN/RENEW AT AMA?
I joined AMA to network with those in the marketing profession, both for business development purposes, and collaboration. I also joined to volunteer my time and give back to the marketing industry by serving on the board from the beginning, and continuing to stay involved.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF AMA?
I’ve been a member since 2013.
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF IT?
I’m hoping to build long-lasting relationships that may turn into clients, colleagues, partners, or, just good friends. It’s also a great way to learn from others and gain valuable insight from speakers throughout the year, so I hope to continue using AMA for ongoing education. At the end of the day, this is a fun group of individuals representing some really awesome companies, with opportunities to hear from the best marketers in and around Knoxville, as well as learn about what’s happening in the local business community.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO BEST?
We throw a wicked Halloween party, but when we’re not doing that once a year, we’re executing comprehensive digital marketing plans for small and mid-sized companies that get results, which includes website development, SEO, AdWords management, social media marketing and a lot more fun, innovative stuff. Our company is basically the best at making other companies more money, and you can take that to the bank.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CLIENT?
Our favorite client knows their business well, listens to us, and understands their sales should drive decisions, based on analytics of course. We also prefer clients who are friendly and love a good pun, or generally have a great sense of humor.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING THERE?
There are a variety of reasons as it relates to our company’s values and philosophies, including transparency, integrity, focus on results and customer service, responsiveness, and efficiency. Our culture is built around excellence from our team, and excellence for our customers, while emphasizing a positive, fun experience at the same time. I enjoy the people, and I love helping companies grow. Lastly, I trust the owner, because he never stops innovating, and settles for nothing less than perfection, so our business constantly focuses on the details that everyone else overlooks – and if the Devil is in the details, then we’re one hell of a company.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THAT JOB?
I’ve been with Slamdot since it began in 2005.
WHAT DO YOU FIND BEST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN KNOXVILLE?
Knoxville has so much to offer, and the business climate here is incredible. It’s the best of big city and small town rolled into one. It’s been a very receptive and welcoming community in which to start and grow a business, and we’ve really enjoyed calling Knoxville home. The climate is great, downtown is growing, the outlying areas are really starting to thrive, and we’re at a major interstate crossroads, which are a handful of reasons why Knoxville is not only a great place to live, but operate a business, as well. And, really, the people make Knoxville what it is.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?
It used to be soccer or reading, but now I enjoy playing with our son, Walker, in my “spare time,” whether it’s killer chalk art on the back patio, reading his favorite books, a good puzzle, or shooting some hoops on the Fisher Price, and anything in between. With another baby on the way, I’m looking forward to my wife and I spending even more time being kids again.
DO YOU READ, WATCH MOVIES OR TV, AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
I love to read, but these days don’t find much time to, and don’t spend much time watching TV or movies, but usually it’s college football or basketball, and whatever is next in my Netflix queue or watch list, which consists primarily of action, comedy or documentaries.
Next time you’re at an AMA Knoxville event, be sure to chat with Daniel about his killer chalk art!
