Lainey Johnson, B.S. Public Relations 2008, was named a 2020 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Executive in Marketing. She is employed at Ernst & Young (EY) in Chicago as the Head of Paid Media, Americas Marketing. Previously she served as brand, marketing and communications associate director.

In her current position at EY, she has overseen paid media investments of more than $20 million. She launched their first business-to-consumer media campaign supporting its Tax Chat app and started a digital marketing campaign on cryptocurrency.

In addition, Johnson expanded EY’s media presence to network television, including “CNBC Business Day.” During the pandemic she led development of a content series on CNBC that featured 45 top executes and CEOs in 38 episodes. It was promoted via digital, social media and television with 500 network spots and achieved 3.5 million video views.

Before coming to EY she served as marketing communications manager for McDonald’s. In 2016, she was selected by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications to receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award created by

Posted: January 15, 2021
Category: Alumni News, College News
Tagged as: Lainey Johnson