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About Michigan Creative

We’re an agency and we’re Michigan. We care about our community and want you to succeed. We are all working toward the same goal — to advance the missions of the university through marketing and communication efforts.

We’re brand stewards. Our intimate knowledge of the U-M brand ensures compliance and best practices in everything we do.

We’re not for profit. We only bill for our time. That’s it. We do not make a profit from marketing efforts across U-M, we’re focused on getting results and building partnerships.

Our Mission

Inspiring pride and support for U-M excellence everywhere.

Our Vision

To be U-M’s trusted marketing experts providing leadership and support for our campus partners to create the most cohesive and resonant Michigan brand.

Our Core Values

  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Professionalism

Our Team

Our teams of writers, designers, project managers, photographers, digital, web and video professionals bring extensive expertise and experience to every project they touch.
 Paige Apsey

Paige Apsey

Marketing Coordinator
 Betsy Erikson Brown, APR

Betsy Erikson Brown, APR

Assistant Vice President for Marketing Communications
 Suzanne Copsey

Suzanne Copsey

Creative Director
 Emily Deedler

Emily Deedler

Director of Strategy
 Alanna Donahue

Alanna Donahue

Project Manager
 Ruth Gretzinger

Ruth Gretzinger

Associate Brand Manager
 Eric Joyce

Eric Joyce

Media Supervisor
 Chris Keller

Chris Keller

Senior Software Engineer
 Jeff Knudsen

Jeff Knudsen

Art Director
 Margaret Lee

Margaret Lee

Web Developer
 Hillary Lewandowski

Hillary Lewandowski

Senior Software Engineer
 Nick Looney

Nick Looney

Multimedia Designer
 Rebecca Lowenstein

Rebecca Lowenstein

Director of Project Management

Laurie Maisano

Senior Project Manager
 Liza Mondro

Liza Mondro

Production Manager
 Kelly O'Sullivan

Kelly O'Sullivan

Digital Art Director
 Kerri Pepperman

Kerri Pepperman

UX Architect
 Ben Schaaf

Ben Schaaf

Director of Technology
 Barbara Sefton

Barbara Sefton

Senior Writer
 Martin Soave

Martin Soave

Art Director Brand Identity Manager
 Carly Sorscher

Carly Sorscher

Account Manager
 Rob Van Auken

Rob Van Auken

Media Buyer
 Guy Winter

Guy Winter

Managing Director
 Michelle Yang

Michelle Yang

Project Manager

Awards

Michigan Creative and U-M have earned a national reputation for high-quality creative work. Here are some of our most recent awards.

CASE Circle of Excellence Awards (National)

2023
"The Reset Podcast"
Bronze Award
Podcasts (Occasional)
2023
This is Your Day, No Other! PSA Series
Gold Award
Advertising (Broadcast)
2023
Well-being Collective: Student Mental Health Campaign
Gold Award
Communications Initiatives
2022
"This is Michigan" Reviving Hope and Community
Gold Award
Long-form Video
2021
School of Kinesiology Website
Silver Award
Institutional Website
2021
"Go Blue Guarantee" Digital Campaign
Bronze Award
Social Media - Student Recruitment
2020
"This is Michigan" Camps for Kids with Conditions
Gold Award
Long-form Video
2020
U-M Admissions Video
Silver Award
Best Video for Student Recruitment
2019
"This is Michigan" Multimedia Campaign
Bronze Award
Social Media - Public Relations and Marketing
2019
"Go Blue Guarantee" Affordability Campaign
Bronze Award
Public Relations and Community Relations Projects
2019
"Go Blue Guarantee" Affordability Campaign
Platinum Award
Best Practices in Communication and Marketing

CASE V Awards (Regional)

2023
This is Your Day, No Other! PSA Series
Best of Case
Advertising (Broadcast)
2023
Well-being Collective: Student Mental Health Campaign
Best of Case
Communications Initiatives
2022
"This is Michigan" Reviving Hope and Community
Gold Award
Long-form Video
2020
U-M Branded Construction Fencing
Silver Award
Best Design - Environmental Graphics
2020
"This is Michigan" PSA
Silver Award
Best PSA or Commercial
2020
"This is Michigan" Teaching Music, Changing Lives
Gold Award
Best Video Feature - Long
2020
"This is Michigan" Camps for Kids with Conditions
Gold Award
Best Video Feature - Long
2019
"This is Michigan" Dental Clinic
Bronze Award
Best Video Feature - Long
2019
"This is Michigan" Multimedia Campaign
Gold Award
Excellence in Feature Writing
2018
"Go Blue Guarantee" Affordability Campaign
Gold Award
Teresa Du Bois Exline Award for Best Practices in Communications and Marketing
2018
"Go Blue Guarantee" Affordability Campaign
Best Practices in Digital Communication
Silver Award
2017
Freedom of Speech Campaign
Gold Award
Teresa Du Bois Exline Award for Best Practices in Communications and Marketing
2017
Always Leading, Forever Valiant
Gold Award
Best Video PSA or Commercial Spot
2016
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) - SAPAC Campaign
Silver Award
Best Practices in Communications and Marketing
2016
First Generation College Students @ Michigan - First-Gen College Student Awareness Campaign
Bronze Award
Public Relations and Community Relations Projects