The Pitch

Walking in to RGA, not knowing what to expect or who was going to be listening. All I knew was that my team was prepared and this would be a great experience and opportunity to showcase our skills. FIX UBER’S PR? HOW? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? All the questions we asked to come to a solution. Working with this team was a pure learning experience and it’s truly not work when you enjoy the task at hand and the people you’re working with. The feedback we received was valuable and a quote I vividly remember was “It’s not about quantity, its about quality”. Meaning that less is more. We were told to keep our work real and authentic. Maintain a big idea and be sure to express our creativity. This feedback was from CD, Copywriters and strategist. They have knowledge we hope to have one day and I am lucky to be part of such a great team and given this opportunity.

TWO UP,

Zach Cross

The Man Behind the Most Interesting Man

Today at Radical Media, we met a man named Steve Miller. As the visit approached the three-hour mark, my ability to absorb waned, but Steve shot a bolt of inspired adrenaline through every Duck in the room.

He introduced himself as a commercial director, but that title that doesn’t come close to encapsulating what all he’s been in his career. As an art director moonlighting as a writer, he invented Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man in the World. Steve’s demeanor betrayed the pedestal he’d earned in my mind - I’d read about him in The Idea Writers, by Teresa Iezzi, who praised him for that very campaign as an example of the inventiveness necessary to stand out in the rapidly shifting media landscape.

Steve stressed the importance of story and concept. No matter how the cool shit reaches the audience, no matter the size of screen, that shit still has to be cool. Producing work people perceive as such, according to Steve, demands that we as creative professionals immerse ourselves in observation. Every waking moment is a chance to take note of human behavior.

- Cameron Kokes

Data Data Data

Our phones know our every move better than we do. Data is super important in figuring out who to target but it is also the thing that is going to eliminate many jobs in the near future.  Programmatic buying and digital reporting based on machine learning will soon be putting many people out of work. 

Many people are currently working in machine learning and programming fields. It is really weird to think that the programs that they are creating are eventually going to put others out of work. 

Audrey Grimes

Curiosity

The key insight I’ve taken from all of the strategist that have spoken to us was to “BE CURIOUS”. This phrase has been stated more than 5 people and they claim it’s the key to success. “Read everything you pick up, ask people questions and don’t be afraid to explore new boundaries” This phrase made me think about all that I’ve done, seen and said the past of couple years. Have I been curious on issues regarding society? Have I held back questions I cared about? Learning to accept my curiosity and use it as fuel is key. This trip has already taught me so much and am blessed for the opportunity. 

TWO UP, 

Zach Cross

Standpoint Theory: Thinking Globally from the Heart of Culture

New York City buzzes with culture. Like the neon signs of Times Square, the city draws people from all places, giving the city an incredible creative energy. It’s not surprising ad agencies opened up shop here–it’s the heart of culture.

But to borrow an idea from postmodern social science, being in the middle of everything doesn’t always lead to an objective perspective. Standpoint Theory holds that from the middle of a circle, it’s hard to see other perspectives, whereas from the outside of a ring you can see it all.

Creatives at multiple agencies have spoken to the way Manhattan skews your perspective. To capture global viewpoints while still drawing inspiration from the city, agencies should lean into diverse hiring, data-driven insights and honest attempts at looking outside of the beautiful Manhattan bubble. It’s hard to see past the bright glow of New York, but it’s exciting to see advertising placing value on new perspectives.

Hannah Lewman 05.11.17

Representation

Before coming on the trip, I honestly didn’t know what my role as an Asian American was in the advertising agency that is predominantly white males. Going into JWT and to find a Korean chief creative officer was assuring. Seeing how someone of similar identity working in the industry and doing well was awesome. He said a conversation regarding gender equality has been made in the industry but not really about race. I agree, there needs to be better representation of what America looks like in the ad industry. When I went to speak to him he asked how my parents think of me going into the industry and I told him they are supportive of me. When he asked me that, it was nice. Someone could relate with me. Often times there are pressures coming from the Asian American community regarding a stable job. Those jobs are usually professions in law, medical, or the science. Advertising is usually not in that mix. JWT really helped me to breathe and to see how an Asian Americans are just as capable as any other in the field.

David Choe. 05.11.17

Blogs Matter

Blogs show that you’re committed to your own personal brand, and as Doug Melville said “if you can’t market yourself, the thing you know best in the whole world, why would I hire you to market a billion dollar brand?”

If you don’t have a blog, start one. That goes for everyone, not just writers. If you’re a designer/ad then showcase your personal work. If you’re a strategist, write down ideas and concepts. It doesn’t all have to be bricks of words. But no matter what, start one. 

Caleb Couturie. 5.11.17

I think I met God today

Let me preface this by saying I am in no way religious and if you asked me my thoughts on religion I would say something along the lines of it’s great for people that use it but I don’t care for it all that much. 

But I think I met God today.

I was standing alone waiting for the 5 train to go back to the hotel after my first interview. A man approached me from my right and said in a deep voice, “You look sharp.” I thanked him and told him I just got out of an interview. He turned his head in curiosity and asked me a few questions about the process. We chatted as we waited for the train–sharing quick stories about how he served in the navy and had some experience out west in Oregon. He talked about his sons and I told him how I had met my Uncle for the first time who lives here out on the east coast. We both got off at Grand Central and walked up to the street. 

When we parted ways he gave me his card and shook my hand. He told me, “When young men like yourself get into any trouble at all the give me a call, but you’re not like most young people I work with.” He looked me in the eyes and said, “You’re going to get that job.” Now I don’t know what happened to me at this point but for some reason as I thanked him and walked away I got emotional. Maybe it was because of his sincerity, maybe it was because I could tell that he really believed in me, but I was choked up as I read the name on the card: Reverend Alfred R. Twyman Jr. 

I can’t literally share this experience with you and my post about it doesn’t do it justice. But know that this short 10 minute encounter was arguably the most important thing to happen to me on this trip. I can only imagine the stories and knowledge that this man has shared with others solely because of the kindness in his heart. It really made me understand that there are incredible people in the world, and many of them happen to live in New York.

Thank you Reverend, it was an honor to meet you.

-B

Stained Pants and Koi Fish

Family style is when you sit down at a table with people and eat food. But it is not traditional bite here bite there kind of stuff…it is reaching over the table, eating food of of your neighbors plate, spilling water, spilling beer, and going through 100 different napkins kind of stuff. And you never know who might just be at your table.

Wednesday nights in Chinatown are not very crowded unless you visit Joe’s Shanghai restaurant, famous for its soup dumplings (recommended by Steph). The line was long, and up walks these four guys all dressed in suits, with larger than life personalities. Walked right in. And then after waiting we got seated at their table.

Come to find out rather quickly that this was going to be a real family style dinner, with some complete strangers, who just cut us in line. All was forgiven when we started ordering beer and appetizers and dumplings, jellyfish, shrimp and chicken. It was clear that this wasn’t their first time at Joe’s and they taught us the ropes.

These guys were no New York joke. They were the Wall Street bankers, Manhattan apartment owners, sunset Italian wine, business golf outings, kind of guys.

We had a lot of fun at the table that night, doing family style, sharing stories, asking questions, talking about politics, laughing, bantering and getting some New York insight.

I am finding out that the table is the key to success.

-Rachael Laage