Distinguished Alumni
Brenda Love
Awarded 2010
Owner of one of the top five advertising agencies in Houston, Brenda Love “epitomizes personal initiative combined with creative talent and a passion to serve her clients and support her community.”
Love earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1973 and her master’s degree in advertising, public relations and telecommunications from San Diego State University.
Since opening Love Advertising in 1979 “with $500 of start-up capital,” the agency has built a clientele that includes a number of Fortune 250 clients, such as CenterPoint Energy and Gallery Furniture, with annual billings in excess of $30 million.
“Brenda personifies the success that comes from personal initiative when combined with talent and a sweet spirit dedicated to service,” the form said. “I think it’s important to put into perspective her accomplishments when considering the difficulties and barriers faced as a female in the 1970s launching a business.
“Her educational grounding and experiences at Sam Houston, I am sure, played a key part in giving her the confidence and desire to achieve her goals.”
Love Advertising has won numerous awards for its service, including multiple Agency of the Year designations from the American Women in Radio and Television, Houston Business Journal’s “Top Houston Advertising Agencies” and “Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Houston,” and Working Woman Magazine’s “America’s Top 500 Women Owned Businesses.”
In addition to her activity with numerous Houston-area organizations, Love has provided pro bono work for organizations and campaigns such as Susan G. Komen of Houston, the Chuck Norris KICKSTART KIDS Foundation, Lighthouse for the Blind, Catholic Ministries, The Orange Show, Interfaith Ministries and Peace of Mind Foundation. She also has served as a conversation leader for SHSU’s annual “Let’s Talk” benefit for the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College.
“The real story of Brenda, which out shadows her tremendous business success, is her passion to give back to her community. Whatever cause Brenda is asked to support, she is always the first to arrive and the last to leave,” a nomination letter said. “Hardworking, industrious, creative, charitable, loving, and a true Texan who leads by example: these words describe Brenda Love.”