Decompressing

I took the entire weekend after my flight back to Eugene to rest up and tried not to think about all the insightful bits of information I picked up on this trip. I’m saving that until I have the mental capacity to really process and internalize everything. As I was describing the amazing experience this has been to my roommates, I found myself spitting out little golden lines that I picked up from some of the industry professionals. I’m not ready to fully comprehend everything I’ve learned yet, but I’m excited to be able to pass all of it on to my peers very soon.

Bryer Hataishi | 5/13/19 | Post #2

Radical Media - media with a bigger picture in mind

Many times we don’t see advertising agencies selling ideas, rather we see them selling brands or products. When I was looking at what potential agencies I could visit on this trip, I was drawn to Radical Media for their obvious commitment to raising awareness of environmental concern. With the current state of our diminishing environment, Radical Media is setting a necessary tone for other agencies to follow and using their platform in some ways, for the greater good.

Radical Media can be seen working with environmental protection agencies like National Geographic, New England and Conservational International. For their Ocean Health Partner Index project, Radical Media did the hard work of translating hard scientific data and making it easy to understand to the general public. This type of translation could be increasingly beneficial as environmental concern rises. In a world with no voice, advertising agencies could be the advocate.

Rachel Bonner

May 5th - posted May 13th 

Rethinking The Intern Role

After interning for two places in college, going back into that role after graduating has felt pretty discouraging.

But, going to NYC this week and hearing the majority of the agencies I went to discuss with us the thought of being “just the intern,” I have a different outlook. It has become more exciting.

Being an intern does not mean you cannot ask questions.

Being an intern does not mean you cannot learn.

Being an intern does not mean you are not a valuable part of the agency.

Being an intern gives you insider knowledge of the best ways to navigate an agency.

Being an intern means stepping up to the plate to prove your incredible work ethic.

Being an intern allows for a base knowledge so that you can keep improving and bettering your abilities.

I gathered that agencies WANT to teach interns. They WANT them to ask questions and they want them to be a helpful asset.

People working in the advertising world want to continue to better this industry and by helping those who are starting out, we encourage a better future.

Lindsey Epifano 5.13.19

Ask! Ask! Ask!

It really is truly important to ask questions of both ourselves, and of those in the industry. More than ever we as students right now we have all the excuse in world to try and reach out to those in the industry for help and feedback. Furthermore, because many of those who are in the jobs we want currently, have been in our footsteps before and want to help in anyway possible, but it all starts with communication. A copywriter from Translation offered up a great piece of advice during our coffee and said, “ yes there are dumb questions, but you might as well ask it, because it’s better to ask a dumb question and get help, than to not ask at all.”

This really stood out to me because it showed that the asking of a question can go a long way. Another point that I noticed across the board, was that a lot of times interns come in with the idea that they’re expected to know everything, when in reality that is not the case. As in intern the bar set for you is very low, but it’s through your time interning that you showcase your worth. In that process many individuals noted that when interns ask questions or need help, it shows that you’re looking to learn and grow! Overall, if you have a question, or want to reach out to someone for coffee, just do it!

Ethan Aliste| 5-13-19

Become a Slasher

Another key theme that I picked up on this week, was the idea that agencies are looking for people who aren’t afraid to wear multiple hats. Of course it is important to have the discipline that you specialize in, but more importantly if you can think and speak the language of another discipline, it makes you that much more desirable. This idea of being a slasher can be shown in many different ways, so find some ways in which you can best show that you are a jack of many trades. For example, if you are an art director maybe try to showcase the strategy behind why you chose certain color combinations and fonts for a campaign. Or if you are a strategist showcase how you can understand basic concepts of design through your decks.

It is just doing little things like that, that will showcase to agencies that we are much more than just our titles. Finally, to piggyback off of that point, it has already been said but passion projects are a great outlet to showcase your toolkit and to do projects that you love.

-Ethan Aliste| 5-13-19

i-AM a S/ASHER

Important tips from Doug Melville on being more than just an advertiser: 

1. Agency’s want people with an alternative expertise! 

This will bring new innovations and visions to the table!

2. HYPE UP YOUR SIDE HUSSLE (hustle)

We are in the age of specialist, agencies want to see how you are telling unique stories…. (art, instagram, blogs etc…) 

3. [MY] Reputation is the only thing that precedes [ME] when i am no longer in the room

It is important to remember decisions are made when you are not in the room, beast up your reputation, because it’s all you have!

4. Identify your:

1. Mentor- Who is your North Star? / Who do you look up to?

2. Advocate: Who is your inside man? Who can refer you?

3. Coach: Who is in your corner reminding you that you are a champ?

and lastly, be the best S/ASHER you can be. 

-Elexus Greene // Lady PiCassa 

The Land of Opportunity

New York City truly is a melting pot. People from every country, speaking every language, wearing every different style of clothing and listening to every different genre of music. For everyone, there is something; that provides amazing opportunities in New York City, and opens doors to worlds that many of us never knew existed. Opportunities are out there for the taking in New York City, it’s just up to us to go out and get ‘em. And that really stokes my fire – the fire that we all have to make great work and do something worth noticing. Maybe even something that can help change the world for the better.

Jeremy Bondy | 5.13.19

Passion Projects

The work we are doing in classes now is important. It is giving us the chance to hone our skills and execute projects in a way that resembles an agency would. However, it will always be student work. Everyone is creating student work. What sets you apart is what makes you an interesting outside of your advertising skills. When you go in for interviews, your potential employer wants to see if they think that they can work with you as a person as much as they want you as an employee. We are all creators in some capacity; create based on what you love.

Madeline Robinson 5/13/19 #5

Network network network

I had the chance to speak with 4 former ducks individually and pick their brains on what it is like to enter the world of advertising. They all had wonderful tips  from what to ask in interviews to where to find cheap housing in a pinch. 

The most consistent piece of advice they had was to reach out to people constantly. People in the industry are never going to be more willingly to meet with you as they are now. Exchanging emails and going on coffee dates might not directly lead to a job, but it helps you build a network. You can learn what you aren’t interested in, discover mentors, and earn contacts at other agencies. 

It might feel awkward sending messages over linkedin, but that is what it is there for. Now we all know of at least a few more people working in agencies, reach out to them!

Madeline Robinson 5/13/19 #4

#woke

The topic on that came up absolutely everywhere we went this week was diversity. How do agencies create it (both in their staff and in their work), how do they maintain it, what do you do when you see an attempt at diversity go horribly wrong, what does it even mean to be diverse anyway?
It makes sense that there’s a lot of discussion, but not many answers. It’s compounded by the fact that we’re not here to grill agencies on their diversity practices and nor should we be. But at the same time, as a young creative coming into the industry I want to make sure that I work somewhere that is legitimately interested in following up on lofty ideals. It’s a valid question, and definitely something I want to take into account when I’m looking about where I want to end up.

In the end, most of what I took away is about what I can do to make the ad world a better place: speak up when I see something problematic, use my privilege wisely by speaking up for others who may not be able to, and try to make sure that I, personally am creating a welcoming space. Sometimes, that’s all you can do. 

Going forward I’d love to see some more specific, practical answers about what agencies are doing to promote diversity. Things that go beyond mentioning that they try and create better culture. How do they do that? What, exactly, are their processes? I know that as an industry we can do better, and I want to believe that we’re on the right track, but the first step is to figure out what, exactly we can do to create, promote, and nurture diversity.

Jordan Blackburn | 5/11/19