Employee Spotlight

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - MAY 2013  

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS PROFESSORS COACH WINNING AD TEAMS THREE YEARS IN A ROW

Hill Holiday. Saatchi & Saatchi. Young & Rubicam. Recognize these major advertising agencies? 

At JWU, we have Chilabato & Ure. That's Oscar Chilabato and Christine Ure, both associate professors with the College of Business and the motivation  behind JWU's winning Ad Team. In April, the  team placed first – for the third consecutive year – at the American Advertising Federation NSAC regionalsl. As the team prepares for the finals next month in Phoenix, Professors Chilabato and Ure shared their thoughts on what inspires them.

What is your favorite TV commercial? Why? 
Oscar: I'm a big fan of the Apple commercials - simple, elegant, clean, consistent and entertaining, but more importantly they dramatize the consumer benefit while still focusing on their products. 
Christine:  It was a Nike commercial with Lance Armstrong that ends with “what am I on? I’m on my bike 6 hours a day, busting my a@*, that’s what I’m on.”  I loved it because it was so inspirational, but I guess now, it’s just a lesson in how not to be. 

What makes your colleague such a great professor? 
Oscar: Chris Ure is first and foremost a great 'teacher' - she knows her stuff and relates so well to students in and outside the classroom.  She is a real asset to the ad program and to JWU. 
Christine:  Oscar is the best because he is so dedicated, knowledgeable, has an unbelievable work ethic, and a tremendous commitment to excellence. He’s always looking out for the best interests of the students and the program, doing whatever he can to make both better. He’s the type of professor that makes all around him achieve more. And to top it all off, he’s warm, funny, a mentor and a friend. 

What TV jingle stands out to you? 
Christine:  It’s a slogan, not a jingle… Nike’s “Just Do It”- again, because it is inspirational. Their commercials are emotional, inspiring, and always entertaining. They are designed to make people feel accountable for their own actions, and I think they work. And as my students would tell you, personal accountability is huge to me. 
Oscar: 'I'm lovin' it' by McDonald's. Of course, it helps that Justin Timberlake launched it for them.  I think it positions McDonald's as part of  mainstream American pop culture.  That's where they want to be. Simple, memorable and catchy (that's the point of a jingle). 

What brought you to JWU? 
Oscar: I was working full time in the industry and teaching adjunct at PC and heard there was a full time position open in advertising at JWU.  I was ready for a career change.  I applied and got the job.  I love the experiential model we use here in the classroom. The students make it all worthwhile.  Here I am 15 years later. 
Christine:  I started out working in the Career Development Office, working with marketing externship students. I moved over to faculty in 2005. 

What is your slogan for life or your personal brand? 
Christine:  “Anything worth having is worth working for”- and the Ad Team’s successes are a testament to that philosophy. 
Oscar: I saw a sign in NE Patriots locker room a long time ago:  "Expect nothing.  Blame nobody.  Do something."  I use that when working with groups of students - especially on big group projects.  It resonates with students - it's all about taking responsibility, being a leader and doing exceptional work. 

How do you like sharing the Employee Spotlight? 
Oscar: I am honored to share it with my colleague and friend, Chris Ure. 
Christine:  I think it’s great, because Oscar and I make a great team and we really enjoy working together.

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