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Our Faculty

Learn from experienced professionals, academic scholars and thought leaders.

Medill IMC faculty members reflect a mix of both industry professionals and academic scholars. They produce cutting-edge research, lead top marketing communications companies and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. They consistently push the envelope in the field of marketing communications to find the most effectives strategies for engaging consumers—now and in the future.

At Medill, not only do you learn from these experienced thought leaders in the classroom, but they also become your mentors and supporters. In addition, you join their networks of marketing communications professionals who work all over the world.

Headshot of Vijay Viswanathan.

Vijay Viswanathan

Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications and Associate Dean of IMC

Viswanathan's research focuses on consumer decision making, especially in the realm of branding, pricing, cross-media consumption and social influence. His research has important implications for the economic impact of managerial decisions related to marketing communications.

Headshot of Frank Mulhern

Frank Mulhern

Professor, Associate Dean of Research and Executive Director of Academic Programs in San Francisco

Mulhern specializes in research on the economics of marketing, the impact of new media technologies on marketing communications and the measurement of advertising and promotion effects, particularly in retail environments.

Headshot of Tom Hayden

Tom Hayden

Lecturer and Program Director for IMC Certificate Program

After receiving his law degree, Hayden began his career at The Leo Burnett Company. He then worked at DDB Needham and next at Bozell Worldwide, including 14 years as president of the company’s Chicago operations. He later became president and chief strategy officer at GreenHouse.

Headshot of Michelle Weinberger

Michelle Weinberger

Associate Professor

Weinberger’s research takes a sociological approach to understanding consumers, stakeholders and marketplace actors. She studies socio-cultural aspects of consumption and the role of various forms of marketing communications in creating meaning for stakeholders.

Headshot of Ernest Duplessis

Ernest Duplessis (IMC96)

Associate Professor

Duplessis was formerly senior vice president of corporate communications and government affairs at Mondelēz International. His career includes over 25 years of public relations, internal and external communications, investor relations and government affairs experience spanning corporate America and the U.S. Military.

Headshot of Gerry Chiaro

Gerry Chiaro (MSA84)

Assistant Professor and Director of Immersion Quarter

Chiaro recently worked in marketing for several CPG companies such as Frito Lay, Pepsi Bottling Group, Gatorade, Pizza Hut and McDonald's. He then started a consulting businesses and served clients such as TGI Fridays, Travelocity, Anheuser-Busch, United Airlines and Coke.