Greetings!

Hi everyone!

My name is Lisa Byers and I am a 2nd year Ad Grad from Montreal/Toronto, Canada. I tend to have way too much fun discussing anything-social media (yes, I am a at nerd at times, or as we like to say in Canada, “a keener”). In 2009, I graduated with a BA in Media, Information & Technoculture, or MIT (not to be confused with the real MIT) at the University of Western Ontario. My interest lies in web design, blogging, digital and social media. I also had the opportunity to study (party and travel…) abroad in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communications.

I chose to attend UT Austin because of its prestigious Advertising program. I originally wanted to pursue the interactive track, but found myself first in the account planning program. I developed interest in bridging the gap between what clients want and what the consumers are saying, and more so understanding the “why” behind the “what.” I want to use the ethnographic skills I learned and apply it to online consumer research and use a ‘netnographic’ approach to understanding social network users.

This semester, I am pursuing the interactive and digital side of advertising. For my independent study, I intend to research thoughts, feelings and ideas behind why and how individuals use social network to promote brand advocacy. I am excited to delve deeper into the psychological aspect of individuals within social networks and what makes them talk, share, remix, modify and create. The account planner side of me will definitely benefit from this marketing class on customer insights, as these are what drive the market. The better we listen to others, the better we can cater to their needs.

Can't wait to get started!