John S. Kiralla, senior vice president for marketing, communications, and external relations, assumed his role on September 1, 2016 (press release). In addition to his ongoing responsibilities, he served as the Interim Senior Vice President for University Advancement in 2020 and 2021.
Reporting directly to the president, Kiralla is the university's chief communications officer, chief marketing officer, and chief external officer. He is the university's primary spokesperson and oversees communications, marketing, external relations, and public affairs functions and strategies. Under his leadership, LMU's MarComm Division aims to communicate with clarity and integrity, to maximize relationships and partnerships, to inspire pride and loyalty, and to elevate the university’s reputation. Kiralla leads units responsible for igniting the university’s brand for global impact, including: Communications (including academic, advancement, and internal communications units), Public and Media Relations (LMU Newsroom, Issues/Crisis Management), Marketing and Brand Management (Social Media, Digital Solutions, Enrollment Marketing, Graduate Marketing, Athletics Marketing and Fan Engagement), Creative and Production (LMU Magazine, Photo and Video), External Relations and Partnerships (Community Relations, LMU Radio, Office of the First Spouse, Government Relations, Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives), and Executive Communications.
Kiralla and the LMU MarComm team have garnered national and international recognition for their outstanding marketing and communications campaigns, outcomes, and achievements, honored by esteemed bodies such as the Webbys (the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences), CASE, Graphis, W3, AMA, SPD, UCDA, AMCP, and others. LMU Magazine, the nation's most recognized university magazine, has amassed more than national and international 110 awards.
Throughout his tenure, Kiralla has spearheaded several first-ever and record-setting outcomes for LMU. Notably, in 2017 and 2023, he led the university’s largest-ever self-study research initiatives, yielding extensive findings that informed the redesign of the university’s visual identity and brand platform. In 2019, Kiralla led the most visible, complex event in the university’s history when LMU hosted the DNC Presidential Debate, including more than 600 credentialed news media and outlets that were broadcasted internationally. In 2021, he co-led the university’s most attended event, "Megamencement," held at SoFi Stadium (a first major event of its kind at SoFi stadium), which saw over 34,000 attendees celebrating commencements in-person as the institution emerged from the global pandemic.
Under Kiralla’s direction, the university has achieved record-setting increases in visibility for nine consecutive years, including innovative campaigns such as The University of Silicon Beach™, LMU City, Ignite a Brighter World, and Believe in Something Brighter, showcasing faculty and student impact, uplifting the university’s mission and values, and supporting its visibility and revenue goals.
An alumnus of LMU, Kiralla brings three decades of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, marketing, and digital solutions to his role. Before assuming his current position, he served as LMU's Vice President for Marketing and Communications, leading several transformative initiatives including the hosting world leaders on LMU's campuses. He has held marketing and communications positions and been a consultant at Collegis Eduprise, Sungard Higher Education, and Apple. Kiralla is actively engaged in various professional organizations and speaks on topics ranging from crisis management, brand development, change management to executive decision-making, leadership, perception management, and technology policy. He also sits on various boards, including the Board of Governors for the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, and is actively engaged in leadership roles in support of Los Angeles' efforts to host the 2028 Olympics.
For more information, visit Marketing, Communications, and External Relations.