E-mail: ranta@mailbox.sc.edu

Office:
Phone: 803.777.4614
Fax: 803.777.4103
Room: Coliseum 3006C

Hours:
M & W: 9:30-Noon,
Friday: 8:00 – 9:15 pm.

Fall 2008 Syllabus:
Jour 328 - Principles of Public Relations
Jour 531 - Public Relation Campaigns
Jour 547 - The Carolina Agency

Jeffrey Ashe Ranta
Instructor
Advertising and Public Relations Sequence

B.A., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
M.A., Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Additional Studies;  Naval Surface Warfare Officers School, Naval Gas Turbine Engineering School, Naval Damage Control Assistant School and Defense Information Officers School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana

With over 14 years of experience in public relations and advertising, Ranta is a winner of the coveted Silver Anvil trophy for Public Relations Excellence and a national champion of public relations. Prior to accepting a full time faculty position at USC, Ranta served four years as an adjunct professor teaching public relations campaigns, writing for PR and integrated marketing for the graduate program.

In May of 2006, 2004 and 2002 Ranta led USC Bateman teams to national championships coming out on top of 60-plus universities in each competition. In 2006 Ranta's teams captured two national championships. In 2004 Ranta had two teams of only three in the country selected for national presentation, one finishing first and one finished third. His first run at teaching Bateman in 2002 netted USC a national championship.

In addition to running the Bateman competitions, Ranta also developed The Carolina Agency or TCA. A student run firm serving clients in many areas of advertising and public relations, TCA is in it's third year of existence. TCA students have represented brands like SCANA, the Ronald McDonald Charities, The Colonial Center, The Gamecock Village and several non-profits. TCA is one of only a dozen or so student-run, public relations agencies in the country accredited by the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Ranta is also active in communications research specializing in the introduction of new technologies and the need for public relations initiatives to service various publics including investors, end users, educators and stakeholders. Some of his most recent research will be presented at the National Hydrogen Conference in Sacramento, California this spring.

Prior to his service in academia, Ranta was a Naval Officer. His professional qualifications included qualification as a surface warfare officer, qualification as a Tactical Action Officer, Anti-submarine Warfare Officer and Damage Control Assistant.

He was also selected by the Navy to serve as a full-time Navy Public Affairs Officer, handling international and national media relations as well as issue-oriented public relations, grass roots public affairs, community relations, and internal communications for the US Navy and the Navy’s Chief of Information.

Ranta's experience also includes positions of leadership and spirited success with PR/Marketing Communications and Advertising agencies in Miami and Atlanta. Brands and clients previously represented include BellSouth, Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-A, Shoney's, Rubbermaid, Golden Corral, various local Ford, GM and Honda dealerships and Polaris/Victory motorcycle retailers across the southeast.

In addition, Ranta has represented a variety of executive service and consulting companies including Edwards & Angell LLC, Steel Hector & Davis LLC, First South Bank, Arthur Andersen, Union Planters Bank, Breakstone Luxury Homes, Encore Home Automation, AV Lifestyles home automation/security and others.

Ranta is a member in good standing of the Public Relations Society of America. He currently runs a consulting firm named Mustard N' Relish Marketing Communications.