The Western Communication Report’s 2020 Editorial Team
The editorial team consists of four third-year students who have dedicated numerous hours towards the creation of the magazine.
Sophie Schneider – Editor-in-Chief
Sophie Schneider is a Public Relations student at Mount Royal University where she has been on the Dean’s Honour Roll two years in a row. Her professional portfolio includes client-focused social media and graphic design work through Hecktic Media Inc. and music album promotional packages through her Community Service Learning projects. She also volunteers with Calgary’s Southwest Hockey organization and helps to keep their families informed on the local hockey community. Whether it is through the arts, education or supporting local businesses, Sophie is interested in looking for new ways to become involved in her community. You can follow her on Twitter @sschn443
Chris Axford – Section Editor, Social Media Manager, and Digital Developer
Chris Axford is the Section Editor for the Financial Public Relations final papers/issue backgrounders, and Digital Developer, and Social Media Manager for the Western Communication Report online magazine and a third-year public relations student at Mount Royal University. Axford has experience in technical writing, research analysis and media relations. Born in Edmonton, raised in Windsor, Calgary and Dubai, Axford studied Canadian history and English literature at the University of Victoria, where he focused on contemporary American literature and Canadian history, post-Confederation.
Axford spends his time with his partner and with his books. He is an avid collector of special editions of classic works of fiction, ranging from Hemingway to Tolstoy. He is interested in the political process, and aspires to work in government relations or public affairs. You can follow him on Twitter @schmaxford_
Abby McGillivray – Section Editor,
Team Secretary, and Volunteer Coordinator
Abby McGillivray is the Section Editor for Government Public Relations and Volunteer Coordinator a third-year student at Mount Royal University pursuing a major in Public Relations. Her outgoing personality and love of writing make her a perfect fit as a communications student. McGillivray has gained valuable experience in the public relations field with a particular focus on organizing events, creating and executing social media plans and film production and editing. She also has an eye for visual design and loves all things aesthetically pleasing. McGillivray is a strong believer in the power of human connection and the ability it has to heal, support and empower one another. Ultimately, McGillivray’s professional aspirations are targeted on one day opening her own PR firm and working for organizations that focus on empowerment and community. Outside of work and school, Abby loves to travel, paint and play with her four-year-old labradoodle, Martini. You can follow her on Twitter @abbymcg26
Nicholas Sommerville – Section Editor, Digital Designer, and Assistant Social Media Manager
Nicholas Sommerville is the Crisis Communications Editor, Digital Designer and Assistant Social Media Manager for the Western Communication Report. Sommerville is a third-year Public Relations student at Mount Royal University who has experience writing and editing research papers, essays, and short stories. Sommerville applies his design skills to format communication plans and corporate identity guides. He looks forward to applying his skill and knowledge to continue establishing an efficient and well-constructed platform where students of all levels can share their accomplishments and gain credibility, and use this experience as a cornerstone to establish his skills and interests as a writer, designer and professional in the field of public relations. You can follow him on Twitter @NickSommervill3
Peter Malachy Ryan – Publisher
The Western Communication Report supervisor and publisher is Dr. Peter Ryan, APR, a professor in the Public Relations program at Mount Royal University.
Any legal or policy concerns related to subject matter published in this online magazine can be reported directly to him. Peter has been an assistant professor with the Department of Public Relations at Mount Royal University since July 2016. Peter completed a Rogers