Talking Dog
Talking Dog
Apply by Aug. 26 to become a 2026-2027 Talking Dog Member.
Talking Dog: Leading the PAck
Talking Dog is the University of Georgia’s student-led, creatively driven advertising and public relations agency. Staffed with UGA’s strongest young communications minds from across a variety of majors, we specialize in bold, Gen Z , digital-first perspectives.
We unlock insightful solutions to client problems with professional-caliber tools, in-depth research, and boundless creativity.
At Talking Dog, we are next generation thinkers leading the pack to what’s next.
Services
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- Market research
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- Integrated advertising and public relations campaigns
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- Social media strategy and and management
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- Content creation
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- Branding and graphic design
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- Copywriting
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- Experiential Marketing
Ammunition Agency Innovation Lab
Ammunition and the Department of Advertising and Public Relations (AdPR) at the University of Georgia (UGA) has established the Ammunition Agency Innovation Lab, a newly named experiential learning space housed in Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication on the UGA campus in Athens, GA.
Designed as a dedicated, agency-style space, the Lab will provide Talking Dog students with a professional, team-based environment to develop ideas, build campaigns, and present work in a real-world agency context. The space will act as an incubator for next-generation solutions, pioneering the future of the industry.
Talking Dog Client Showcase
Our academic year culminates in the Talking Dog Annual Competition and Client Showcase, where industry professionals, agency members, faculty and supporters celebrate the client work and spotlight the agency’s most ambitious and effective campaigns.
Sponsors
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors.
Ammunition
Ammunition is a full-service advertising agency focused on supporting brands navigating long-term selling environments, with complex paths to purchase — among both B2B and B2C audiences. Our approach focuses on a unique messaging architecture that personalizes creative by audience through ongoing engagement and automation.
BBDO ATL
BBDO Atlanta is a creative agency helping brands connect with Real America. Their motto is “DO BIG THINGS” by bringing uncommon insights into what really drives everyday people in real America.
Fiserv
Fiserv is the largest fintech at the intersection of banking and commerce, powering sustained growth and innovation at scale for financial institutions and businesses around the world.
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is proud to be the world’s largest home improvement retailer. With approximately 475,000 orange-blooded associates and more than 2,300 stores across North America, they aspire to excel in service – to their customers, associates, communities and shareholders. That’s The Home Depot difference.
Carolyn Tieger — Public Affairs Communications Certificate
The Public Affairs Communications Certificate (PAC) is the first program in the nation to provide undergraduate students with practical training in specialized communications skills aimed at educating, shaping or changing public opinion on public policy, legislation, political candidates or issues. Carolyn Tieger (ABJ ’69) is president of her own public affairs consulting business, Tieger Public Affairs, LLC, and founder of the PAC program.
University of Georgia Parents LEadership Council
The Parents Leadership Council is a group of highly engaged parents who are eager to be involved on campus and make a direct impact on student life. The Parents Fund supports safe-campus initiatives, academic tutoring, career planning, scholarships, leadership experiences, and more. The Parents Leadership Grants Program supports organizations from across UGA’s campuses by providing the financial assistance they need to make a difference in student’s lives.
2026 Participating Clients
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We look forward to announcing our 2026-2027 client list soon.
A sampling of our Former Clients
If you are interested in being considered to work with Talking Dog as a future client, please email Mary Ellen Barto.
Co-Directors
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Carter McGraw
Advertising, Political Science Minor, Personal and Organizational Leadership Certificate
Carter McGraw
Advertising, Political Science Minor, Personal and Organizational Leadership Certificate
My favorite memory of Talking Dog is winning the end-of-year client showcase my first year; the relief, joy, and camaraderie made it an incredible experience and a rewarding end to […]
My favorite memory of Talking Dog is winning the end-of-year client showcase my first year; the relief, joy, and camaraderie made it an incredible experience and a rewarding end to […]
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Leanna Livingston
Masters in Mass Communication with PR focus
Leanna Livingston
Masters in Mass Communication with PR focus
When I was researching graduate schools, Talking Dog caught my eye, and was actually a determining factor in my decision to attend UGA. I loved the idea of getting hands-on, […]
When I was researching graduate schools, Talking Dog caught my eye, and was actually a determining factor in my decision to attend UGA. I loved the idea of getting hands-on, […]
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Quinlan Petty
Advertising major, Communications Studies minor
Quinlan Petty
Advertising major, Communications Studies minor
I joined Talking Dog to gain real world experience through applying classroom skills & to get more involved with Grady College.
I joined Talking Dog to gain real world experience through applying classroom skills & to get more involved with Grady College.
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Nicholas Wiles
Advertising and Marketing
Nicholas Wiles
Advertising and Marketing
am a big believer in DOING > LEARNING. Talking Dog gives students the opportunity to work on real campaigns for major corporations, having a true effect on their business by […]
am a big believer in DOING > LEARNING. Talking Dog gives students the opportunity to work on real campaigns for major corporations, having a true effect on their business by […]
Executive Leadership Team
Executive Board
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McClain Allen
Graphic Design major, Business minor, Personal and Organizational Leadership certificate
McClain Allen
Graphic Design major, Business minor, Personal and Organizational Leadership certificate
Creative Director, Art I joined Talking Dog to gain a broader perspective of the advertising industry while collaborating with students who have different passions, skills, and creative perspectives. I wanted […]
Creative Director, Art I joined Talking Dog to gain a broader perspective of the advertising industry while collaborating with students who have different passions, skills, and creative perspectives. I wanted […]
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Annie Blanks
Public Relations major, Communications Studies minor
Annie Blanks
Public Relations major, Communications Studies minor
Director of Digital Media I originally joined Talking Dog as a transfer student to build connections at Grady, but it ended up shaping my entire college experience. It brought me […]
Director of Digital Media I originally joined Talking Dog as a transfer student to build connections at Grady, but it ended up shaping my entire college experience. It brought me […]
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Madeline Cannon
Masters in Integrated AdPR
Madeline Cannon
Masters in Integrated AdPR
Creative Director, Copy My favorite memory in Talking Dog was presenting at BOTB with my team last year. Getting to see all the work we had put in throughout the […]
Creative Director, Copy My favorite memory in Talking Dog was presenting at BOTB with my team last year. Getting to see all the work we had put in throughout the […]
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Mahek Charania
Advertising
Mahek Charania
Advertising
Director of Account Management I joined Talking Dog to gain a more holistic understanding of the advertising industry and learn how different roles work together. I also wanted hands-on experience […]
Director of Account Management I joined Talking Dog to gain a more holistic understanding of the advertising industry and learn how different roles work together. I also wanted hands-on experience […]
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Lillian Fitch
Lillian Fitch
Director of Recruitment
Director of Recruitment
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Kathryn Fryburger
Journalism major, Sports Media and News Literacy Certificates
Kathryn Fryburger
Journalism major, Sports Media and News Literacy Certificates
Director of Public Relations Talking Dog has defined my college experience, and getting involved sophomore year was the best decision I’ve made at Grady. The opportunity to plan, create, execute […]
Director of Public Relations Talking Dog has defined my college experience, and getting involved sophomore year was the best decision I’ve made at Grady. The opportunity to plan, create, execute […]
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Emma Gleason
Advertising major, Business minor, NMI and MBUS certificates
Emma Gleason
Advertising major, Business minor, NMI and MBUS certificates
Director of Strategy The biggest benefit of Talking Dog is the exposure to agency structure and client relationships. I have a better understanding of the industry I am hoping to […]
Director of Strategy The biggest benefit of Talking Dog is the exposure to agency structure and client relationships. I have a better understanding of the industry I am hoping to […]
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Brady Hawkins
Brady Hawkins
Director of Training and Development
Director of Training and Development
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Cody Parkhurst
Marketing major
Cody Parkhurst
Marketing major
Director of Recruitment and Business Development The biggest benefits of joining Talking Dog are the networking and valuable industry experience you gain. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to meet […]
Director of Recruitment and Business Development The biggest benefits of joining Talking Dog are the networking and valuable industry experience you gain. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to meet […]
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Ryan Taormina
Advertising
Ryan Taormina
Advertising
Director of Production My favorite memory with Talking Dog was preparing for our annual Battle of the Brands presentation last year. Before even presenting our work to anyone else, planning […]
Director of Production My favorite memory with Talking Dog was preparing for our annual Battle of the Brands presentation last year. Before even presenting our work to anyone else, planning […]
PAst Case Studies
Voya
Voya is a leading retirement, employee benefits and investment management company that challenged Talking Dog to create messaging to encourage Gen Z to save for retirement. The campaign reframed financial grown as forward momentum with “Leap Forward” messaging.
LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a global leader in innovation and reliability, with untapped potential in HVAC. They came to Talking Dog because they had low awareness among homeowners and wanted stronger contractor loyalty compared with competing brands. Talking Dog created a campaign to increase visibility, drive loyalty, recruit students and increase homeowner awareness.
World War II Foundation
The World War II Foundation is a non profit organization that has been producing award-winning films since 2011 to educate current and future generations about the war, but has struggled to connect with a Gen Z audience. Talking Dog created an “It Could Have Been Me” campaign to drive emotion by putting students into the shoes of veterans through immersive on-campus events and storytelling to build awareness, increased downloads of the films and inspire younger generations to understand the legacy of WWII.
Talking Dog Advisory Board
Pictured are Juan Meng (Head of Department of Advertising and Public Relations), John Gardner, Mary Ellen Barto (Director of Talking Dog), Samantha Crosby, Jeremy Heilpern, Amy Weiner and Deborah Von Kutzleben.
Samantha Crosby
Ron D’Innocenzo
John Gardner
Jeremy Heilpern
Brian Pruitt
Carolyn Tieger
Deborah Von Kutzleben
Amy Weiner
Photo Gallery
Interested in becoming a Member of Talking Dog?
Applications are open now until August 26, 2026, to become a 2026-2027 members of Talking Dog Agency.