Edward Ackerley

Career Track – Eller College of Management
Photo of adjunct lecturer, Ed Ackerley

Office: McClelland Hall 323
Office Hours: Before or after class or by Appointment

Dr. Ed Ackerley teaches undergraduate courses in professional creative communication, advertising, and creativity. COMM 314 is a professional communication class focusing on creativity. COMM 404 is about creativity and leadership. His classes won first place nationally for Honda and AT&T, and second place in the Credit Karma Brand Challenge. Dr. Ackerley teaches marketing and advertising in the Eller College of Management and is the advisor to the AAF National Student Advertising Competition Team (AdTEAM), established in 1985, and competes with 200 universities in a case competition for a national advertiser. He is also the advisor to AdCATS the Eller College student-run advertising agency working on university and community projects. Dr. Ackerley is a lead instructor for the summer program Marketing Minor program. College teaching awards include the Bumps Tribolet Student Services Award, the Amiable Award from the College of Fine Arts, the Apple Polishers Award, and a faculty honoree from the Eller Hispanic Honorary, Eller Student Council, Pi Beta Pi, and Eller College Ambassadors. Since 1976, Dr. Ackerley has been an account executive at Ackerley Advertising managing relationships between the agency, clients, and media. His professional affiliation with the American Advertising Federation includes leadership roles in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Tucson including past president, and nationally with the AAF as a governor, board of directors and chairman of the Council of Governors. Professional recognition includes Advertising Professional of the Year, Hall of Fame and AAF Silver Medal Award. Dr. Ackerley is the author of CreatingMAGIC, speaks around the country, and consults on creativity and leadership in organizations. Dr. Ackerley ran for Mayor of the City of Tucson in 2019 and 2023.

Dissertation Title

"An investigation of the relationship of creativity and leadership in university business students" 2006 Ed.D. NAU

Degree(s)

  • Ed.D. Educational Leadership, Northern Arizona University, 2006
  • M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Northern Arizona University, 1999
  • B.A. Fine Arts, Radio & Television, University of Arizona, 1979