faculty advisors
SHAWN ZUPP | PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE, ADVERTISING
Shawn spent 25 years as an advertising executive at top agencies in New York such as BBDO, Ogilvy, Publicis and R/GA. He worked on a number of high profile brands including Pepsi-Cola, Frito-Lay, Hershey, Target, NFL, Bud Light, Corona, E*Trade, Samsung and Johnson & Johnson. Throughout his career, he has partnered with clients in the development of everything from television commercials to social media to AI-driven platforms, including notable projects such as USA Today AdMeter #1 Super Bowl TV spot for Pepsi, the launch of the Hershey Times Square New York City store experience, the Cannes Grand Prix award-winning HBO Voyeur and Jet.com integrated campaigns and the Emmy-awarded "Love Has No Labels" film for the Ad Council. He knows agencies inside and out, and guides student AdLabbers in areas of client partnership, project management/production, and business development.
CHRIS LEE | SENIOR LECTURER, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Bringing needed balance to Shawn’s New York influence, Chris comes to BU as an award-winning, multiple hat-wearing, executive creative director-writer at top Boston-based shops like Mullen, Hill Holliday, and A&G. He has 25 + years of experience developing brand strategy and omnichannel content development programs in industries ranging from semiconductors and global enterprise software to local supermarkets and pro sports teams—including the Boston Bruins and Celtics. Over his career, Chris has taught continuing education and college-level courses at Bentley College, Suffolk University and at BU’s very own Creative Portfolio Reviews. His focus is on what “real world” advertising is all about—and how great creative work springs from great strategy. He guides AdLabbers in creative strategy and concept development.
MIKE DAVIS | SENIOR LECTURER, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Mike Davis is a copywriter and creative director with 30+ years of experience in the advertising industry. He started out his career agency-side at creative destinations like Digitas and Allen & Gerritsen. He spent time client-side at global brands like Bose and Fidelity. And most recently, he’s worked on his own side as a freelancer. His portfolio of work includes campaigns in all media across the high-tech, healthcare, financial, automotive, travel & leisure, retail, consumer electronics, and food service industries. Davis spent a couple of years contributing to a book called Innovation @ Microsoft, which will be released in the Spring of 2025.