Advisors
Michael Koziol
Michael Koziol is the co-founder and CEO of Dragonfruit Studios, an Atlanta-based multi-platform content studio and Galleon Media, a global entertainment rights company.From April 2004 until the end of 2007, Michael served as EVP, Strategy and Development for Nurun, Inc., a global interactive agency with offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. While involved with Nurun and Ant Farm, Michael advised world-class brands and organizations, including AT&T Wireless (Cingular), Equifax, L’Oreal, Unilever, The Home Depot, Bombardier Recreational Products, Evian, and many others about interactive marketing, new consumer and audience expectations, changes in the media mix, and the potential for brands to become media properties.
Prior to launching Ant Farm Interactive in 1999, he was with BellSouth IntelliVentures and was responsible for identifying and analyzing new investments, business lines, and product opportunities. He is currently a board member of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and The Center for Puppetry Arts and a member of the advisory board of Learn Something, an online consumer education platform.
Scott A. Shamp, Ph.D.
Scott A. Shamp is the Director of the New Media Institute in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. The New Media Institute is an interdisciplinary unit created to explore the creative, critical, and commercial implications of new digital communication technology.
Additionally, Dr. Shamp heads the Mobile Media Consortium at the University of Georgia. This industry/academic partnership is dedicated to promoting mobile media and wireless development. Industry partners in the Mobile Media Consortium have included Intel, Nokia, Cingular, McDonald’s, HP, Turner Broadcasting, BelAir Networks, and iAnywhere. Shamp received his undergraduate (ABJ 1981) and Master’s (MA 1983) in Journalism from the University of Georgia. He received his Doctoral degree in Communications (Ph.D. 1989) from the University of Utah where he studied how computers affected the ways people communicated with one another.
Dr. Shamp has provided consulting services for several companies including Turner, Disney, UPS, Coca-Cola, and First Union. In his role as advisor – Scott directs the partnership between Vert Mobile and the New Media Institute as the two organizations work together to explore, develop and grow the mobile media market in the Atlanta area and beyond. In addition Dr. Shamp provide strategic insight on new clients and projects that Vert takes on from an academic and industry professional stand point.
