Verizon VP for Communications to Speak at UK Wednesday, Oct. 26

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2016) —Torod B. Neptune, corporate vice president for corporate communications for Verizon Communications Inc., will deliver the 2016 James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence Lecture at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Kincaid Auditorium in the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Neptune will discuss the role of social responsibility in corporate communication strategies and the increasing importance of consumer engagement. At Verizon, Neptune’s work includes brand communications, corporate reputation, multichannel communications and influencer strategies. Neptune remains on PR Week’s 2016 Power List of the 50 most influential people working in the public relations field. He was first named to the Power 50 list in 2013.

Alyssa Eckman, chair of the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, said Neptune’s presentation is relevant to many aspects of integrated strategic communication.

“Sharing relevant information and making meaningful connections with consumers through transparent dialogue is essential to brand success,” Eckman said. “Companies like Verizon have recognized that technology allows for ongoing two-way conversation. Consumers want to be engaged and support brands that share their commitment to social causes like education and protecting the environment. In ISC we teach multiple strategies to have these conversations, including public relations, advertising, and direct response through social media.”

Neptune is also recognized for his commitment to diversity and inclusion in the public relations profession. He is the current president of the PRSA Foundation, which works with public relations organizations and businesses to create and support workplace inclusion principles. Neptune says he is particularly committed to recruiting and mentoring a diverse base of young people to become the next generation of public relations practitioners.

Prior to joining Verizon in 2010, Neptune was the senior vice president and global public affairs practice leader for Waggener Edstrom Worldwide. He also worked with the U.S. House of Representatives to develop a crisis communications response plan after anthrax attacks that followed Sept. 11.  Neptune has also served as the senior vice president of corporate affairs at Bank America Corp. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Neptune began his communications career as a newspaper reporter in Columbia, South Carolina.

This is the 17th year of the Bowling Executive-in-Residence Program, and the lecture event is free and open to the public.

The Bowling Executive-in-Residence Program began in 2000 and brings to UK nationally known public relations practitioners to not only deliver an address, but also meet with students interested in public relations and integrated strategic communication careers. The program includes the executive-in-residence visit, the Excellence in Public Relations award and a scholarship for an integrated strategic communication student planning to pursue a career in public relations. 

A reception will be held just prior to the lecture to honor John Asher, this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Public Relations award. Asher has served as the vice president of racing communications for Churchill Downs Race Track in Louisville, Kentucky, since 1999.

The Bowling series honors James C. Bowling, the late retired assistant chairman of Philip Morris Companies Inc. He attended UK and later served the university as a member of the UK Development Council. In addition to serving on several national boards, Bowling also worked with the UK College of Agriculture, UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, and the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

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MEDIA CONTACT:  Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu