This Is Me

My name is Jordan Kinley and I am in my fourth semester at OU working on a M.A. in Strategic Communications. I grew up an hour north of San Francisco, CA in a city called Santa Rosa which is located in the heart of Sonoma County's wine industry. After high school I moved across the country to Providence, RI to attend Brown University. In 2006 I received a B.A. in International Relations from the Watson Institute for International Studies.

During my time at Brown University most of my course work was centered around diplomacy, international negotiation, and terrorism. I do not have a background in journalism, public relations or marketing and advertising. However, I have been quick to learn about the new disciplines offered in the Gaylord College. I am currently most interested in the account planning side of marketing and advertising, but have recently focused my energy on sponsorship as a form of strategic communication. In the future I would love to have the ability/opportunity to combine the philosophies of both of my degrees. Perhaps it would be possible with work on a political campaign.

My decision to leave the coasts and come to Norman, OK was made rather hastily. After graduation I spent a summer not knowing what I wanted to do next. Much of my time was spent in San Francisco's Union Square where I was surrounded by tourists from all over the world snapping digital pictures. I would "people watch" for hours while drinking tea or coffee that I had brought from home. I enjoyed trying to figure out where the people were visiting from and why they had chosen San Francisco as a destination. Being aware of the way other cultures eat, drink, dress and socialize was always prevalent in the center of San Francisco.

In addition to teaching me a bit about other cultures, Union Square sparked an interest in advertising. It was difficult to not notice the time and effort put into the creation of ads when you are in the midst of some of the most glamorous stores. Along the Post St. store front you can find Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Levi Strauss, Armani and Nike Town. Turn right at the corner of Stockton St. and Lacoste, Brooks Brothers, and Neiman Marcus are present. Continue back on Mason St. and there sits the Westin St. Francis hotel, art galleries and Macy's. Everywhere I looked I could find a successfully branded store or product.

I came to the University of Oklahoma seeking to learn more about why and how consumers choose to spend their money. I did not feel adequately prepared to pursue an MBA, but found marketing and advertising were great alternatives. Upon completion of the program I would like to return to one of the west coast's major cities (except Los Angeles). Being from Nor Cal there are certain principles that you have to maintain, and living south of Sacramento is not one of them.