Don’t be alarmed if you see a giant peanut rolling onto campus this Thursday—you’re not going nuts. The Planters Nutmobile is visiting TXST for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s PR Day.
In its second year, PR Day brings together public relations students, faculty, and alumni for panels on career paths and contemporary issues in the field, says Debra Price, assistant professor of practice and co-chair of the event.
Along with the Nutmobile, the PR Day schedule includes a session on public relations careers for new graduates and a panel on the roles that PR and communications played in the development of Austin FC as a new Major League Soccer club.
“This year we have a sports and branding theme,” Price said. “These are all interesting things for PR majors to hear and learn about. But more importantly, they’re exposed to these career paths and all the things they could do with their degree.”
The Planters Nutmobile is making an appearance thanks to Katie Krupinski, a TXST PR major who graduated in 2023. Last June, Krupinski started a one-year job as a “Peanutter,” meaning she’s part of a three-person team driving the Nutmobile around the country to promote Planters peanuts. Over nine months, Krupinski has traveled with the Nutmobile to 30 states for events such as fairs, festivals, car races, and corporate parties.
“The Planters Nutmobile is perfect because brand activations are something students really understand,” Price said. “Students love the idea of those jobs where brands are trying to bring things to life. It’s interesting and fun, but it also shows students different paths that they can take in the field.”
The Nutmobile will be on the Quad from 8 a.m. to noon. At 9:30 a.m., Krupinski and her fellow Peanutters will participate in a session called “A Day in the Life of a Peanutter: Event Planning, Socials, and Media Relations.”
Krupinski says the panel title about sums up the primary duties of her job, along with driving the Nutmobile. The bus-sized vehicle is 26 feet long, 11½ feet tall, and 8½ feet wide.
“It’s definitely a conversation-starter,” Krupinski said. “People will always come up and ask questions, and we meet people around the U.S. who have a lot of rich memories of Planters. I’ve seen so much cool stuff throughout the country, and I’m really grateful that I have an opportunity to get paid to travel.”
A midday panel, “Kickstarting Your Career in PR,” will feature recent TXST alums who work in sports and PR firms. They’ll share their experiences and advice for landing a job.
PR Day’s featured panel is titled “Playing in the Major Leagues: Insights on the Founding of Austin FC.” The panelists include TXST alums Marty Butler, the founder and chief creative officer of Butler, the firm that developed the Austin FC brand; and Kristin Marcum, the CEO and owner of ECPR Texas, a public relations firm that led communications and community outreach for the campaign that brought the MLS to Austin. The other panelists are Jeremiah Bentley, co-host of Moontower Soccer, Austin FC’s official podcast; Dave Greeley, a marketer who’s worked for NFL and MLS teams; and Gissela SantaCruz, Austin FC’s senior director of community impact.
The sessions will take place at Old Main 320 and the LBJ Teaching Theater. PR Day is open to all on campus.
