Communications

Christopher Hollenback is the communications director at UW-CTRI. In 2021, the dean bestowed distinguished status to Hollenback for his contributions to the university and to public health.

Under his direction, the UW-CTRI Website has been ranked #1 worldwide by Google for searches with keywords “tobacco research” and “quit line.” He has led communications efforts for dozens of research studies and outreach projects for nearly two decades. While the Institute of Medicine estimates 70 percent of research studies fail to fully recruit participants on time, UW-CTRI has never not fully recruited for a study during Hollenback’s tenure.

Before starting at UW-CTRI, Hollenback worked for organizations such as HospiceCare, American Family Insurance, the Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers. He was the communications director for a nonprofit in San Francisco serving people with developmental disabilities, where he co-founded a literacy program.

He has contributed to AARP Bulletin—the publication with the highest circulation in the nation—as well as Packers.com and ESPN The Magazine.

He is a published novelist and a screenwriter. He served as the story consultant for the movie Scouts Honor: Inside A Marching Brotherhood, which won several awards at film festivals. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in journalism and political science. He studied screenwriting at Second City in Chicago.

To schedule an interview with an expert on smoking, vaping, or how to quit, contact:

Chris Hollenback, Distinguished Communications Director
608-262-3902
ch3(at)ctri.wisc.edu