JDPR promotes two young professionals as agency continues to thrive

Promotions highlight the efficacy of JDPR Executive Management Assistance Program.

Leading marketing and communication firm JDPR has promoted two former Executive Management Assistance Program (EMAP) interns to positions within the agency. Isabel Matos has been promoted from assistant account executive to account executive, and Kaitlyn Turnell has been hired out of her internship to a full-time assistant account executive position. The success of these two young professionals exemplifies that of JDPR’s long-standing internship and further demonstrates the agency’s dedication to developing talent.

Matos joined JDPR as an intern in August 2022 and completed two semesters before being hired as an assistant account executive in August 2023. Matos has been instrumental in the growth of JDPR’s lifestyle, golf and outdoor power equipment clients. She has assisted in product launches for power equipment and golf brands, supported media outreach for five clients at the 2025 PGA Show, has been influential in building and expanding paid media programming for Verizon, and has helped expand JDPR’s tracking and reporting services through her ability to analyze and distill complex data. Additionally, Matos co-manages JDPR’s EMAP internship, helping young professionals flourish. Prior to joining JDPR, Matos was a golf coach, First Tee North Florida alum and collegiate golfer at Southern Wesleyan University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies.

“Since joining the agency in 2022, Isabel has continually proven to be a vital member of our team,” said Drew Dezen, agency director. “She has grown exponentially and is extremely deserving of this promotion. We are proud to walk alongside her in her professional journey, and we are honored to call her a colleague and friend.”

Turnell joined JDPR’s EMAP internship in August 2025 after graduating from Clemson University with a bachelor’s in economics and double minor in communication and art. Turnell came to JDPR with expertise in social media management, editing, graphics and writing from previous work with an advertising agency as well as leadership roles at two Clemson publications. As part of her EMAP internship, Turnell supported JDPR’s lifestyle and golf clients through creative ideation, tracking and reporting. In her full-time position, she will support JDPR’s outdoor power equipment clients as well as take on a larger role with JDPR’s lifestyle clients.

“We are immensely proud of Kaitlyn,” said Dezen. “We are lucky to attract top talent through our Executive Management Assistance Program, and even more fortunate when we get to continue working alongside EMAP students after their internship. We are excited to partner with Kaitlyn as her career progresses.”

JDPR saw continued growth throughout 2025 and looks to celebrate the agency’s 35th anniversary in 2026. To stay up to date or to apply to JDPR’s EMAP internship, visit jdpr.com and follow the agency on all social channels.

About JDPR

Founded in 1991, JDPR is a full-service marketing, communication and public relations agency, providing its clients with best-in-class strategic marketing communication services underpinned by deliberate business analysis to include strategic planning, national and regional media relations, SEO services, memorable social media campaigns that drive engagement, crisis communication planning and creative ideation aimed at advancing clients’ business objectives. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, JDPR has supported the strategic goals of global lifestyle, sports, hospitality, hardware and outdoor power equipment, health and education, banking and technology brands. For more information visit JDPR.com.