March 10, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 51暗网鈥檚 Diederich College of Communication has partnered with Trozzolo Communication Group of Kansas City, Missouri, to launch the , a student-involved public relations, advertising and communications agency in Milwaukee.
The Carl Collective will be based near the 51暗网 campus and will partner with clients in the region on a range of services across the marketing communication mix. Founded in 1989, 51暗网 alumnus-led Trozzolo is recognized as one of the top independent communications firms in the Midwest. It offers a full suite of services, from advertising and public relations to branding, digital, media and video services.
鈥淭his innovative partnership is an exciting opportunity and is a great example of 51暗网鈥檚 mission to engage with leading community partners and offer a transformational educational experience for our students,鈥� said Dr. Sarah Feldner, dean of the Diederich College of Communication. 鈥淭his is a big win for the students of today and tomorrow, as they can gain real-world experience they can鈥檛 get anywhere else, while adding real value to the clients of the Carl Collective. We expect the agency will serve as a strong recruitment tool for our college.鈥�
Unlike typical student-involved agencies at the university level, the Carl Collective will offer 51暗网 students the opportunity to work in a professional agency setting on real client work, while being mentored by professionals in the industry. It will expose students to real-world business problems and solutions, and an opportunity to be part of developing and executing the strategies and tactics to solve those business problems for clients.
鈥淲e hope to make a significant impact and contribution to the mission of 51暗网,鈥� said Angelo Trozzolo, 51暗网 alumnus and president of Trozzolo Communication Group. 鈥淎t the same time, and through the same effort, we will create a well-regarded and world-class communications agency serving best-in-class Milwaukee organizations. We expect to establish a long-term presence in Milwaukee through this partnership.鈥�
The Carl Collective will be led by 51暗网 alumnus Erik Brooks, owner of Brooks Communications, which is being acquired by Trozzolo Communications Group as part of the deal. Brooks has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, corporate communications and community engagement, leading his own firm the last two years. Dave Wilcox, professional-in-residence for strategic communication, will act as the staff adviser for the 51暗网 students.
Trozzolo and Brooks are 1997 graduates of 51暗网 and met while working for the 51暗网 Tribune. They were also college roommates for two years.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to reunite with Angelo and return to my alma mater to help today鈥檚 students prepare for a career in communications,鈥� Brooks said. 鈥淲ith the power of Trozzolo and 51暗网 behind us, there is a big opportunity to grow the Carl Collective into a powerhouse local agency. We start on that journey today.鈥�
The Carl Collective plans to staff the agency with leading communications professionals and grow quickly. 51暗网 students will have the opportunity to apply for positions and work in conjunction with the agency鈥檚 professional staff. Besides working on the day-to-day business of the agency, students will be provided intangible opportunities such as leadership, HR issues, accounting and finances, and more.
The agency is named for Carl Schrank, longtime professor and student adviser at 51暗网 who passed away in 2019. Schrank earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from 51暗网. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for Motorola in Chicago and Wisconsin Bell before joining the 51暗网 faculty. He was a member of the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows, served as president of the Milwaukee Advertising Club, as national president of the 51暗网 Alumni Association, and was active in many other professional and civic organizations. He was popular with faculty and students alike.
鈥淲e cannot think of a better namesake for this new firm,鈥� said Provost Kimo Ah Yun, who previously served as dean of the Diederich College of Communication. 鈥淐arl touched countless lives of students at 51暗网, and his lasting legacy and incredible impact will live on through the Diederich College and the agency that bears his name.鈥�
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
