a music machine.

People are always behind the machine. It feels like The Wizard of Oz complex. Maybe it is. But I must admit, these things really get to my head. Am I so simple? Can I be translated in code? Though I praise the same system I fear, that is for sure. Targeted. A word we hear as regularly as anything else. We get lost in the connotation and forget to read the definition. How ironic. We call ourselves linguists. Maybe this is why we’re taught to be the change. My blood’s worth more than a number, I’d hope.

Talia Bootz

Dear Mother ~

Not everything is so serious. Today I saw a dog in an office. That was cool. In fact, it was one of my favorite parts of the day. I also learned to recall and revisit. To change voice. Mother cherished it as posters of the elders slapped against cement clung to a stable place. Writing in brand tone. Finding a steady pace. If butter drips from the spoon and into the mouth, for what is that bread? Have you thought twice or thrice with your head? If fickle and foul does bury the fruit, prepare for the plants and the trees to take root. As quickly as that. But I’m learning how to do this with confidence. And navigating how to not be lost in advertising. Because writing for advertising is always bad. Writing for people is good.

Talia Bootz

A lot of people mentioned how hard it is to live in a city that is constantly moving / so fast paced. There were a lot of complaints (the subway, winter weather, traffic, noise). Despite all of these things, I could not help but notice the smile on people’s faces. Everyone always seems to say that it is a city that you hate, but you would never want to be anywhere else. Love to hate? Hate to love? Regardless, it is undeniable that this city is something that people hold near and dear to their heart. A city unlike anywhere else.

-Sydney

Reflection

Now that I am back in Eugene I have done a lot of self reflection. Should I move to NYC? Should I pursue a career in Advertising? Is the fast-paced NY lifestyle for me?

The NYC Experience gave me the opportunity to answer those questions. Being able to see people and agencies behind advertisements that inspire culture was inspiring and humbling. I can speak for myself and a lot of my fellow students when I say, we could not be more ready or more excited to explore what the advertising industry has to offer.

-Sydney

YOU NOTICE THE WORD CULTURE IS LOSING ITS SAVOR?
IF I HEAR CULTURE AGAIN I MIGHT SCREAM
IF A PERSON ON YOUR TEAM IS NOT ACTUALLY FROM THAT PLACE (OR ACTIVELY SEEKING THE PERSPECTIVE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE)
WHY WILL I BELIEVE YOUR WORK IS GOOD AND IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE YOU’RE SERVING.

POUR INTO CULTURE THE WAY CULTURE POURS INTO YOU!

Let me power down.

BBDONY did this work well in their award-winning Bacardi and Spotify Ads from last year actually capturing the true and beautiful stories and used Brand action to be of service to the communities they shed light on. Spotify paid for the studio time of the artists it promoted, Bacardi made every floor a dance floor promoting and fueling pure love and positivity. Beautiful work. I notice that the industry Post-Pepsi disaster is realigning their emphasis on care and understanding and it’s showing in thier work.

Advertising, especially the ads that tap the creative beauty of more impoverished communities should GIVE as much as it TAKES. Balance is key here. This exchange creates the buy-in that brands are desperately in search of I think.

Simply put: When you take remember to give when you can. For the “Culture”

-t

5-10 (I think)

Doug Melville is a man that doesn’t give himself enough credit. At TBWA\Chiat\Day the Chief Diversity Officer lit a fire under so many of us by simply asking us to put things in perspective. How bad do you want it? What is your it? Do you want to be a CEO? Questions, I honestly never really put much stock into. Plain and simple “Your portfolio isn’t good.” The number of applicants around the world waiting for job openings is ridiculous the many ways you actually don’t stand out is even more ridiculous, but there is a multitude of things you can do the increase your odds and find success wherever it may be hiding. The seven tips straight from the horse’s mouth:

Prove Trust and Consistency

1. Make a blog
2. Private mode Google yourself and tailor that brand to what you want to own (your reputation precedes you when you walk into a room)
3. Be comfortable with uncomfortable (we’re all just winging it anyway)
4. Know the people you’re with every day (be real and genuine, fairness has a distinct odor ( I added that by the way))
5. You pay for what you don’t know, know the room (If you don’t have the answers someone else will Sway)
6. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses (you can find a partner for that)
7. Know how to tell your story (the long way, the short way, the really short way)

-t

5-8

BRAINBLAST:

I’ll start by saying, shame on you if you didn’t get up at least once for Breakfast with Bob Rickert (not really, but he was dropping gemmers, my friends). Here, I am 6:30 in the morning having breakfast with the most interesting man on the planet summarizing the many things that I’m beginning to understand on the trip and Bobs says something that we all should be reminded of every day and hope to never again forget. As students we like to get caught up in the all of the things we need to be capable of doing when hired (coming up with strategies, decks, mock-ups, and being the endless pools of ideas that we are) and we are desperately seeking the secret sauce or magic answer for success in the industry, but know that the magic answer isn’t so magical after all. Work hard at your goals, speak up, and be nice. It’s not shiny, sparkly, or as hidden as one might think. Effort is battle between you and you.

-t

Everyone cries on the subway…right?

NYC is the greatest city in the world. The art, the fashion, the people, the culture, the food, the everything. NYC has it all. But, sometimes being surrounded by it all can be overwhelming. This was my first visit to New York and I’m obviously in love. That’s why leaving New York with no date set to return is a little heartbreaking. 

While I’m telling this to myself, I also want to be telling it to someone else. If you’re weeks away from graduation, leaving New York, and you still don’t have a job, I want to let you know that it’s going to be okay. 

Here are some tips and tricks to keep yourself distracted from the impending graduation date and to keep propelling yourself forward: 

1. Lean on your connections. You probably met a solid list of people in NY. Reach out to them. Shoot them an email. Reach out to Flock. They’re amazing and they’re there to help you. Follow companies you want to work for and look out for their job openings. 

2. Work on your book. Your portfolio is never perfect. Ask people to tear it apart. Tear it apart yourself. 

3. Passion projects. Have you heard the words “side hustle” enough? No? Well I’m going to say it again. Side hustle. Get a hobby. Try something new. Over and over I’ve heard that when recruiters and people in the industry are looking at your book, they’re going to go straight to your play section. 

4. Breathe. Embrace the break. Maybe you don’t have a job for a reason. Maybe you really really need a break. There’s nothing wrong with taking a deep breath. 

“Don’t be frustrated. Because it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, and then all of a sudden it does.” - Deb 

Best, 

Madi Nauta