I came from Alabama, but without a banjo on my knee. I received a marketing degree in B.S. (that’s Bachelor of Science) from Jacksonville State University, but I believe that my real advertising education actually started much earlier. As a junior high cheerleader, I began writing and directing creative and inspirational messages for the mighty Admiral’s football games. You may recall the classic line “Go Fight Win.” I wrote that.

As editor of the school newspaper, I honed my copywriting skills by breaking news about cafeteria food, study hall secrets and the hot biology teacher. I  perfected my creative craft during my college days as a sorority girl. Writing rush skits and gently guiding pledges laid the groundwork for my current position as an ad agency over–the-shoulder creative director.

In high school,  I dreamed of a career as a marine biologist, but actually worked in advertising at a newspaper on a beautiful beach. I was often tempted to admire and classify sea shells while picking up ad copy (and payment in advance) from the airbrush t-shirt stand. Various jobs in publishing, broadcast and the agency circuit took me from Texas to Florida and eventually back to Georgia. I suppose it should be no surprise that I ended up running an advertising agency that specializes in tourism and destination marketing. My life finally came full circle when I developed the creative concept for a recent sorority reunion. I really have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirts.

Kathy Hoskins Nolan is a freelance Creative Director and Travel Writer based in Macon, Georgia. Her portfolio of innovative work has received over 300 local, regional, and national awards for creative excellence.