DAILY NEBRASKAN
MEDIA GROUP
ABOUT US
Student-Run, Student-Focused
The Daily Nebraskan Media Group (DNMG) is powered by the creativity, insight, and energy of current UNL students. Guided by two experienced professional staff advisors, our team delivers authentic, student-led marketing solutions designed to connect businesses with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community.
Our students gain hands-on experience in sales, marketing, design, and communications—bringing fresh ideas, campus insight, and real-world expertise to every project. The result? Strategies that resonate directly with students, backed by a perspective no one else can provide. After all, who better to reach college students than their peers?
At DNMG, we take an integrated approach to marketing, combining creativity, data, and strategy to help your business achieve measurable results. With more than $240 million in discretionary income on campus, the UNL student market represents a dynamic and valuable audience—and we know how to engage it effectively.
MEET OUR TEAM
Student Staff
Tamyia Bender
Social Media Specialist
dnsocialmedia@unl.edu
Ben Reiff
Business Development
dnadvertising1@unl.edu
Makayla Maxson
Event Coordinator
dnevents1@unl.edu
Maddie Garcia
Graphic Design
dncreative1@unl.edu
Professional Advisors
Allen Vaughan
General Manager
avaughan7@nebraska.edu
402-472-2588
I’ve been the General Manager of the Daily Nebraskan since July 2019 when my wife, two young daughters and I moved from Des Moines – the place I finished the second phase of my career as a senior editor for Gannett (Des Moines and Springfield, MO). I am responsible for all financial matters of the DN and collaborate with the student newsroom to chart the organization’s vision. I’m obsessed with our two dogs, whatever music my daughters like and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nicole Pilcher
Director of Sales & Marketing
npilcher2@nebraska.edu
402-472-2589
I joined the Daily Nebraskan Media Group in March 2020, just as the pandemic began. After only three weeks in the office, we shifted to remote work—an unexpected but memorable start. Before DNMG, I spent 11 years in sales and marketing at the Lincoln Journal Star and three years at Nebraska Public Media. During my time at the Journal Star, I launched the inaugural Lincoln’s Choice Awards, which continues to be a celebrated annual event over a decade later. Those experiences helped me hone my skills and fueled my passion for supporting local businesses through creative and effective marketing strategies. I earned my degree in Communications from California State University, San Marcos. Today, I live in Lincoln with my two sons, and in my free time, I enjoy cooking, attending concerts, and escaping to the beach whenever I can.
Nationally Recognized
Our creativity, innovation, and dedication to our clients have been nationally recognized by the College Media Business and Advertising Managers (CMBAM), a nonprofit organization that connects university student media groups with opportunities in sales, marketing, design, and management to support independent student journalism.
Let us put our award-winning strategies to work for your business!
Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.
Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.
Conference at Cal State Fullerton.
Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.
2025
1st place, Best MultiMedia Ad Campaign
2024
Third Place, Best New Idea
Third Place, Best Out-of-Home Promotion
2023
First Place, Best Print Ad
First Place, Best Non-Traditional Revenue-Generating Operation
First Place, Best Special Event
First Place, Best Social Media Strategy
Third Place, Best Social Media Promotion
Third Place, Best Multimedia Campaign
Third Place, Best Self-Branded Promotional Giveaway
2021
First Place, Best Self-Promotional Ad
Third Place, Best Self Marketing or Promotional Plan
Third Place, Best Self-Promotional Website
Honorable Mention Best Sponsored Content or Native Ad
2020
Third Place, Best Self Promotional Website
Honorable Mention Best Special Event
2019
First Place, Best Ancillary Operation
First Place, Best Sales Promotion Materials
First Place, Best Out-of-Home Promotion
First Place, Best Multimedia Ad Campaign
First Place, Best Print Ad Campaign
Second Place, Best Display Ad (Half Page or Larger)
Second Place, Best Sales Pitch or Proposal
Third Place, Best College Media Program of the Year
Third Place, Best College Media Sales Program
Third Place, Best Designer, Allie Laing
Honorable Mention Best Innovative New Idea
2018
First Place, Best Built Multi-Media Campaign
Second Place, Best Sales Proposal
Third Place, Best Digital Sales Increase
Third Place, Best Innovation
Student Board Representative Allie Laing
2017
First Place, Best Printed Rate Card or Media Kit
Second Place, Best Sales Pitch or Proposal
Second Place, Best Event Operation