Josh Grau (IMC04), head of content strategy at Twitter, spoke at Medill
Josh Grau (IMC04), the global director of content strategy for Twitter, was this year’s graduate journalism and integrated marketing communications graduation speaker. The ceremony honoring full-time MSJ and IMC master’s degree graduates was held Saturday, Dec. 12.
In his current role, Grau (IMC04) oversees Twitter’s first editorial team responsible for content and development for Twitter Moments and global media efforts. Grau brings a strong understanding of the importance of both journalistic and marketing skills in today’s world.
"I'm really honored to be asked to come back to Evanston and speak to the graduates,” Grau said. “The IMC experience is one that has given me so much, so I am excited to give back to the program, reconnect with the faculty, and meet the newest IMC alumni."
Grau launched the Global Brand Strategy Team when he started at Twitter in 2010. Prior to Twitter, Grau worked for YouTube, ESPN and at Northwestern, as the associate head coach of varsity women’s volleyball and as both a lecturer and program director. Grau holds a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Texas and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida.
He currently sits on the board of trustees for the Women's Sports Foundation, former professional tennis player Billie Jean King's organization focused on creating equal opportunities for women in sport. Grau has recently returned to volleyball as a television color analyst for the Pac-12 Networks.
Grau was joined on stage during the ceremony by student speakers Sara Shouhayib (MSJ15) and Florent D’Souza (IMC15).
Shouhayib served on the graduate student advisory council at Medill and is currently her class's video representative in Washington, where she is completing her final quarter. Additionally, she was one of two students selected to represent Medill's Society of Professional Journalists student chapter at the Excellence in Journalism Conference in Orlando, Florida, in September. Prior to Medill, Shouhayib completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, where she double majored in communications and Spanish and minored in environmental science.
D’Souza served as one of the associated editors for the Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications (JIMC) and was a member of the Student Leadership Committee (SLC). Prior to IMC, he worked in digital and marketing communications for BBC World News, Qatar Foundation and the Ministry of ICT in Qatar. He plans to work in digital media and financial technology after graduating.
The graduation ceremony took place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Read the conversation from the event on Twitter at #Medillgraduates and watch the ceremony on our homepage, www.medill.northwestern.edu.