Josh serves as Director of Strategy at Designsensory, is a contributing writer for Adweek and shares conversations across the country on diversity and inclusion in advertising. He is earning his PhD from Clemson University focusing on advertising and disability and has been a lecturer at the University of Tennessee and King University. Josh serves on the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Mosaic Council, the advertising industry’s premier think tank on diversity and inclusion and also serves on the City of Knoxville Mayor’s Council on Disability Issues and has spoken at the White House. He is an inductee into the AAF Knoxville chapter Hall of Fame, served as the Diversity Chair for AAF District 7 and is recipient of the AAF Silver Medal. He is partially blind and visually impaired, which gives him a unique perspective and he always clearly sees the best in everyone.

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Josh Loebner CV – Updated July 3, 2019

RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS 

My research, lectures, content creation and interviews bring conviction, visibility and voice to a rarely discussed topic – advertising and disability. 

 3 fun facts:

1. I lived in the Rockies with no electricity, no running water and an outhouse. 
2. I attended Walt Disney Elementary School and went to Disneyland after school.
3. I’m a connoisseur of coffee and bourbon. 

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in progress, Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design, 2017 – present

Clemson University, Clemson, SC

M.S., Communication, 1999

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

B.S., Agriculture, 1996

University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Lecturer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN • September 2017 to June 2018

Media Planning and Strategy 

Adjunct Faculty, King University, Knoxville, TN • June 2012 to present

Introduction to Media Communication 

Visual Rhetoric 

Rhetoric & Persuasion 

Ethics in Communication 

Advertising & Disability, www.advertisinganddisability.com author, 2011 – present

UPCOMING CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING

Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference 2019

LaGrange, GA, September 8 – 11, 2019

Speaker: Compliance vs. Commitment: Disability, Diversity and Destination Marketing

PREVIOUS CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING

Blount County Partnership

Maryville, TN, April 3, 2019

Speaker: Americans With Disability Act Website Compliance

American Advertising Federation, Coastal Carolinas Chapter

Myrtle Beach, SC, May 16, 2019

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Memphis Chapter

Memphis, TN, April 18, 2019

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

Advertising Club of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA, March 15, 2019

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Augusta Chapter

Augusta, GA, January 25, 2019

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

ADMERICA, American Advertising Federation National Conference

Chicago, IL, June 7, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

Deep Shift AAF District 10 Summit

McAllen, TX, September 27, 2018

Keynote Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Baton Rouge Chapter

Baton Rouge, LA, September 7, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

Joint American Advertising Federation + PR Council of Alabama

Mobile, AL, May 16, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Gulf Shores Chapter

Gulf Shores, MS, May 15, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Chattanooga Chapter

Chattanooga, TN, April 17, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Northeast Tennessee Chapter

Kingsport, TN, February 7, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Montgomery Chapter

Montgomery, AL, January 19, 2018

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Knoxville Chapter

Knoxville, TN, September 15, 2017

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, Midlands Chapter

Columbia, SC, October 11, 2017

Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

American Advertising Federation, District 10 Leadership Conference

Tuscaloosa, AL, August 27, 2017

Keynote Speaker: Advertising, Disability and the Diversity Directive

The Forum on Workplace Inclusion

Minneapolis, MN, March 29, 2017

Panelist, Advertising & Disability

Southeast Tourism Society Spring Symposium

Knoxville, TN, March 28, 2017

Speaker: Advertising, Tourism & Disability 

Campaign Magazine: Inclusion & Creativity Conference

New York, NY, February 28, 2017

Panelist: Driving The Discussion on Total Market

Lights! Camera! Access 2.0 – White House 

Washington, DC, December 12, 2016

Speaker: Advertising & Disability 

National Business & Disability Council 

New York, NY, December 5, 2016

Speaker: Advertising & Disability 

Young Professionals of Knoxville Impact Awards

Knoxville, TN, November 18th, 2016

Judge: Young Professional of the Year

American Marketing Association, Knoxville Chapter Hit Refresh 2016 Conference

Knoxville, TN, October 28, 2016

Moderator and Panelist: Connecting With Today’s Consumer

American Association of Advertising Agencies, Diversity Committee 

New York, NY, October 13, 2016

Keynote Speaker: Inaugural Report on the State of Advertising & Disability

Public Relations Council of West Alabama 

Tuscaloosa, AL, October 20, 2016

Speaker: Advertising & Disability

Alliance For Better Nonprofits Impact Exchange 2016 Conference

Maryville, TN, October 4, 2016

Speaker: How to Develop Your Personal Brand… and Why It Matters 

Univ. of Tennessee College of Communication, Diversity & Inclusion Week

Knoxville, TN, September 26 and 29, 2016

Panelist: Diversity and Inclusion and Media Portrayals

American Advertising Federation, District 7 Leadership Conference 

Chattanooga, TN, August 19, 2016

Speaker: Diversity Panel

Executive Women International, Webinar

National Webinar, July 11, 2016

Speaker: Building Your Personal Brand

The Forum on Workplace Inclusion

Minneapolis, MN, March 29, 2016

Panelist: Lights! Camera! Access! 2.0 Disability-inclusive

Diversity – Advertising Through a Brand New Lens

American Marketing Association, Knoxville Chapter Conference 

Knoxville, TN, April 2015

Speaker: Advertising & Disability presentation

The Big Idea Series: Knoxville Chamber

Knoxville, TN, January 2014

Speaker: Facebook For Business: Beyond The Basics

The Legacy Centre Entrepreneurial Program

Knoxville, TN, August 2013

Speaker: Integrated Branding: How coming together will separate you from the pack 

Institute for International Mediation & Conflict Resolution

The Hague, Netherlands, 1997 Attendee

PRESS 

Contributing writer, Adweek 2019 – present

Minda_Smiley. (2019, June 17). Is Accessibility Just the ‘Cause du Jour’ at This Year’s 

Cannes Lions, or Is Real Change Ahead? Retrieved from https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/is-accessibility-just-the-cause-du-jour-at-this-years-cannes-lions-or-is-real-change-ahead/

Loebner, J. (2019, April 05). Agencies Need to Better Connect Disability With Diversity and Inclusion Efforts. Retrieved from https://www.adweek.com/agencies/agencies-need-to-better-connect-disability-with-diversity-and-inclusion-efforts/ 

Designsensory. (2018, February 09). “Examining the Magic of Super Bowl Ads” WBIR  Segment | Designsensory. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI1B0vnTKBw 

Beery, Z. (2017, September 18). Accessible website design for users with disabilities lags far behind demand. Retrieved from https://www.campaignlive.com/article/accessible-website-design-users-disabilities-lags-far-behind-demand/1444790 

WBIR Channel 10 NBC, February 5, 2017 Examining the Magic of Super Bowl Ads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI1B0vnTKBw

Roark, C. (2016, December 16). Snapchat Spectacles create ‘immersive experience’. 

Retrieved from https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2016/12/16/snapchat-spectacles-create-immersive-experience/95462892/ 

Luttner, K. (n.d.). HP holiday ad starring deaf character hits sour note with disability advocates. Retrieved from http://www.campaignlive.com/article/hp-holiday-ad-starring-deaf-character-hits-sour-note-disability-advocates/1416178#pSh8VuJHG3vUye5E.99

Campaign, September 9, 2016 How Amputees Became The Disabled Darlings of Madison Avenue

http://www.campaignlive.com/article/amputees-became-disabled-darlings-madison-avenue/1408234

New Mobility Magazine, April 2016 Is Adland Really Changing? 

http://www.newmobility.com/2016/04/ad-land-really-changing/

CommArts Magazine, April 2015 Advocating For Better Advertising  

http://www.commarts.com/column/advocating-better-advertising

Marketwired, April 2015 The 7 Deadly Sins of Any PR Professional 

http://blog.marketwired.com/2015/04/24/the-7-deadly-sins-of-any-pr-professional/

Marketwired, February 2015 How To Add Diversity Responsibly 

http:/blog.marketwired.com/2015/02/12/add-diversity-responsibly/

Knoxville News Sentinel, October 2011

Blog Gives Voice To The Disabled

APPOINTEESHIPS 

American Advertising Federation Mosaic Council 

Member, 2019 – present

City of Knoxville Mayor’s Council on Disability Issues

Communication and Advocacy Committee Member, 3-year term 2016 – present

Dollywood Theme Park

Member, Advisory Council for Disability, 2018 – present

Global Alliance on Disability in Media & Entertainment

Advisor, appointed 2016

American Advertising Federation, District 7 

Diversity Chair, 2015/2016

MEMBERSHIPS OF PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Advertising Federation

Member, American Marketing Association

Member, Public Relations Society of America

Member, Young Professionals of Knoxville, Inaugural Class of 2007

AWARDS & HONORS

National Silver Medal, American Advertising Federation – 2018 recipient

Hall of Fame, American Advertising Federation, Knoxville Chapter – 2016 inductee

Unsung Hero, American Advertising Federation, Knoxville Chapter – 2011 recipient

WORK EXPERIENCE

Designsensory, Knoxville, TN • September 2010 to present

Director of Strategy

• Provide disability subject matter expertise across clients and accounts
• Guide overall agency business development
• Lead public relations initiatives 
• Develop campaign strategy, planning and intelligence briefings. 
• Guide integrated campaign efforts through creative brief development, marketing plans and ongoing strategic consultation
• Clients include Airbnb, Augusta, GA Convention and Visitors Bureau, Biltmore Estate, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, Gypsy Circus Cider Company, STEM Scouts, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Zoo Knoxville, Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee Valley Authority 

TradeMark Advertising, Knoxville, TN • July 2008 to August 2010

Strategic Marketing Manager

• Managed integrated marketing efforts for all clients
• Developed and directed marketing plans and business development
• Clients included Carson-Newman College, Dalen Products, EdFinanical, PetSafe, Tennessee Valley Authority Office of Inspector General 

Asen Marketing, Knoxville, TN • November 2003 to July 2008

Director of Strategic Planning

• Developed marketing plans, PR efforts and launched national campaigns

 

Blue Worldwide, a subsidiary of Edelman, NY, NY • August 2001 to July 2003

Senior Account Executive

• Established rebranding launch for Kaiser Permanente
• Facilitated Monsanto Biotech campaign introducing bioengineered crops
• Managed Columbia University’s 250th anniversary year-long campaign 

Young & Rubicam, New York, NY • November 1999 to July 2001

Account Executive – Brand Planning

• Developed and maintained advertising budgets and production costs
• Liaison for all departments: legal, production, account management, studio
• Client management of Advil, Crystal Light, Tamiflu and the U.S. Army

 

Heath Industries, Dunedin, New Zealand • May 1996 to December 1996

Private Forest Technician

• Field crew private forest technician providing private land use recommendations

 

Utah Department of Forestry, Moab, UT • May 1995 to August 1995

Field Crew Leader

• Lead timber harvesting crew mapping and surveying timber stands