{"id":62790,"date":"2014-11-07T14:01:19","date_gmt":"2014-11-07T19:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=62790"},"modified":"2018-03-16T17:37:39","modified_gmt":"2018-03-16T21:37:39","slug":"harry-potter-attraction-marketing-wizard-inducted-nicholson-school-communication-hall-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/harry-potter-attraction-marketing-wizard-inducted-nicholson-school-communication-hall-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"“Harry Potter” Attraction Marketing Wizard Inducted into Nicholson School of Communication Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lightning never strikes twice \u2014 except in the case of Donna Mirus Bates, \u201993, senior vice president of marketing communications and content development for Universal Orlando. She worked on the marketing opportunity of a lifetime, then created an encore marketing campaign to reignite global excitement for a theme park expansion of infinite magnitude.<\/p>\n
Bates and her team first helped to launch The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort in 2010. Following its success, she\u00a0and her team partnered with Warner Bros., the \u201cHarry Potter\u201d cast and filmmakers, author J.K. Rowling, and a team of creative geniuses to once again capture the world\u2019s imagination, bringing Diagon Alley to life for the devoted fans of the books and movies.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 6, Bates was celebrated for her successes, as well as her continued involvement at the university, becoming the 31st inductee in the Âé¶¹Ó³»´«Ã½ Nicholson School of Communication<\/a> Alumni Hall of Fame, which was established in 2000.<\/p>\n Tom Alexander, \u201903, chair of the Âé¶¹Ó³»´«Ã½ Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Chapter, emceed the luncheon, which was held at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. He was joined by Robert Chandler, NSC\u00a0director and professor, who presented Bates with her award.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough all of her actions and efforts, Donna truly exemplifies integrity, community, creativity and excellence, making her a remarkable Knight,\u201d Chandler said.<\/p>\n