america runs on dunkin’!
i have finally made it. it was a sunday night redeye where i recited our RGA pitch like counting sheep in order to sleep. “this social campaign… will unfold… in three phases…” *passes out*
waking up monday morning, my mind in a haze from the dreams of meeting carrie bradshaw on the east side, i sought my caffeine fix. meandering through the airport, continuing to recite that RGA pitch (“earned media… and locally targeted social content… will continue to drive traffic…”) i looked for the green and white icon i was so accustomed to. instead, i was received with dunkin’ donuts and a line around the corner. a radio spot boomed through the crackly airport speakers, the full bodied voice reciting, “america runs on dunkin’!”
it’s as simple as coffee and a donut. something millions start their day with, that pink and orange color and styrofoam cup. for the west, the day begins with a paper cup with a green mermaid, the smell of a pike place roast filling the air. it’s the difference in that shared experience. west to east america wakes up with coffee, needs it to kick-off the work week, but the standard is not the same. it begs the question to be asked, “what does it mean to be american?” is it as simple dunkin’ or starbucks? am i over analyzing this subject based on a tagline for a coffee chain at 6 am? probably.
nevertheless, java is the jumpstart needed to the infamous monday morning. i’ve always loved mondays. it’s a new week, a fresh start to whatever you’re working on. for us, this week will feature pitches, briefs, tours and teams, all under the the new york city skyline. with my dunkin’ in my hand, the new fuel coursing through my veins, an unforgettable week lies ahead.
let the work begin.
-kyle heiner 5.8.17
What’s up… It’s 3 am in the Big Apple and earlier tonight, some of the guys and I hit up Times Square to see what it’s all about. Pretty funny getting stares as we had a little impromptu production going on in the square. Stay tuned for more videos throughout the week. I really enjoyed making this and a huge shoutout to Gus McTigue for sticking out a late night edit sesh before he heads back to Brooklyn to get some rest before tomorrow’s big agency visit.
Also shoutout to all of the guys who came to Times Square: Justin Hartney, Noah Wilskey, Isaiah Patton, Thomas Rice, and Key Higdon
And lastly, thank you to Judd Smith and Joey Bonitati for some editing and font advice.
It takes a whole team and that what’s this trip is all about.
Matt Palma
Paint on Clay
The artistic aura of the city oozes through the slivered cracks of brick and shapely spreads into individual’s logos, tags, and commissioned work. Hundred-year-old walls have seen the likes of Banksy and Fairey, but in my opinion, what is most artistic are the carefully crafted messages nestled between antiqued pressed glass windows and rusted metal framed doors by unknown city dwellers. Raw emotions, questions, and ideas are presented by the average everyday experiences of unfamiliar people. Illegal? Yes. Powerful? Yes. These are more than just cosmetic beauty marks on the (Big) apple of the NYC cheek, they are life altering symbols of empowerment and stand for progressive movements. They are what art should be.
Devyn Holbrook
This is Kim Uong. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with two degrees: one in business and one in advertising. During her time at Oregon, she was the strategy director for Ad Team and also wrote for different publications in the journalism school. Kim now works at AKQA, a place some of us get the chance to see this week. Kim is an excellent example of networking and making sure that you are always connecting with someone at agencies, and to make sure that you are nice, courteous, kind, and networking with a purpose.
From Kim, AKQA has offered her the experience, stability, and environment she wanted. Kim also met nearly the entire department through the interview process and knew she would enjoy working with the team and could learn a lot from everyone.
In her internship, Kim supported a junior strategist who acted as her mentor and was a former intern the year before. Because AKQA has an internship program, they had “lunch and learn” sessions with members of different departments throughout the agency and presented an intern group project at the end of the 10 weeks.
Some advice on how to get the most out of the trip from our very own, who has gone twice:
“Live it up! (Within reason.) New York is one of the greatest cities in the world and your playground for the week. Take advantage of all of the culture around you- go see art, music, that place you saw in a movie; reach out to someone you really look up to and ask to meet; eat good food and have fun.”
“Come in with an open mind and prioritize learning. Absorb as much as you can. Growth, relationships, opportunities, etc. will emerge from having genuine curiosity.”
“Be respectful and express gratitude for the time and efforts people have put towards making this trip happen- professors, agencies, your peers, etc.”
If you are going to AKQA, or want to connect with Kim, give her a shout. She really enjoys giving back and advising what she can.
-James McAndrew
Sunday
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
If you asked me what I wanted to be the first day I stepped onto the University of Oregon campus, I would have told you that I wanted to get into sports broadcasting. But here I am in my last term about to see nine different agencies in a phenomenal city with over 100 students my age. It appears my journey took a few twists and turns for me to end up where I am.
In the past couple of week I’ve been in contact with UO alum, sending résumés, portfolio pieces, asking questions and receiving answers. I always thought that I needed to know what I wanted to do and the exact steps to get there. But now I know that it’s okay to be a little lost. Your journey might lead you to an unexpected destination.
- B
Endless Possibilities
After weeks of anticipation and prep work, we’re finally here.
I’m curious to see the long-term implications of this trip. Where will my peers and I end up in five, ten, twenty years? Who’s going to be in New York? Los Angeles? Seattle? Miami? The possibilities are endless, and that’s both wildly exciting and mildly terrifying.
I’m humbled by the opportunity to visit some of the most successful and innovative advertising agencies in the world and eager to soak up as much knowledge as I can in the city that never sleeps.
To the professors, students, donors, alumni, and agencies who worked tirelessly to orchestrate this trip: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sam Coffaro 05.07.2017
First Time
Everything I have heard and seen from this city was either from film or other people. Upon landing, it makes sense why this city is referred to as the concrete jungle. This city seems to be full of life with cultures from all around the world. Just taking a shuttle to the hotel from Newark I realized that even the driving is different. Fast paced and a lot of honking, but it never seemed as though people were mad. It was just a form of communication. I am excited to document more of my journey through the city as the days go by.
- Andrew Afranji
Fashion + Advertising
It started with a goal: walk through the entirety of Central Park. I’m a west coaster at heart, and while the concrete jungle has its draws, I’m never happier than when I’m surrounded by trees. As I set out from my sister’s apartment, at 34th and Park, I decided to walk down the famous Madison Avenue. This is where I learned an unsuspected lesson. There are SO MANY expensive clothing stores, more than even I thought possible, and more importantly SO MANY of those clothes are ugly. At least, to me. That is when something clicked in my brain, and maybe y’all already knew this and I’m just slow, but fashion is absolutely identical to advertising. There is so much of it, we are constantly inundated by it, and yet we still love it. That is because, like fashion, advertising is subjective. My ugly may be your beautiful, and I have absolutely no way of telling you that you’re wrong because it’s simply opinionated. What one ad may cause me to feel, or may urge me to buy, may be completely lost on you. And that’s wonderful.
Also, sidenote, I strongly encourage all of you to talk to the locals. I bought a homeless man, Robby, lunch today and had one of the most fantastic 15 minute conversations of my life. There are so many people here. Embrace that, don’t trap yourself among your peers.
Peace out.
Caleb Couturie 5.7.2017
As much as I’d like to sound like a “real New Yorker” and hate on Times Square, I have to admit I felt the magic last night.
That’s not to say I’m thrilled by smelly streets, loud noises, and potential pick-pocketers. Even the “oh my god I’m actually here” excitement faded pretty quickly. What remained was a sense of awe and scale that I associate with this entire city.
To get advertising nerdy: think about what goes into each of those bright, colorful screens. Hours of ideas, research, and production become just another flashing symbol above a clamoring crowd. It’s like looking at a skyscraper. You feel small, but you want to know what’s happening inside.
So ready to learn. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Rachel Benner 05.07.2017.
