We guide and support students as they develop their creative thinking skills and sharpen in their craft while building an impressive portfolio of work. We work with a growing group of top industry professionals to give students a range of voices and experiences from which they can learn and grow.


Mark Barry, Director

Barry is the Director of Minerva, the creative advertising portfolio program at The University of Alabama. Before finding the classroom, he explored the advertising industry for 16+ years. As an Art Director with J. Walter Thompson, NY, he made work for Merrill Lynch, Deloitte, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Compaq. On the side, he co-founded and eventually sold a successful online art magazine, Artkrush. Later, he launched his small advertising and design agency, Subata Corp., with a client list that included Nestlé, the NBA, American Express, and others.


Adjunct Instructors for Copywriting and Art Direction Seminars


MK Holladay & Emeline Earman

Creative Team – Translation, NY

Blake Morris

Senior Copywriter – Droga5, NY

Larissa Magera

Senior Copywriter – Grey, NY

Ford Wiles

Creative Director – Freelance, BHM

Mark Ervin

Chief Marketing Officer – Versus, BHM