Chris Canty Sparks

Chris Canty Sparks is an Instructional Associate Professor of Integrated Marketing Communication at the University of Mississippi's School of Journalism and New Media. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) from the University of Mississippi. Before academia, she spent 25 years in strategic consumer marketing roles at Fortune 100 companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Ogilvy & Mather, and Colgate-Palmolive, leading major brand launches such as Coca-Cola Zero and Diet Coke with Lime.

Her expertise spans integrated marketing campaigns, brand introductions, and category management. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate IMC programs, blending her industry experience with academic instruction.

Professional contributions include pioneering cross-functional team strategies for global brands, emphasizing consumer-centric approaches. Her research interests align with practical applications of marketing theory in real-world campaign execution and brand development.