Takeaways From An Eyeopening Week
Agency:
1. Not everyone’s path will be linear. One day, you’re going to change your mind on what you want to specialize in, and that’s okay.
2. The industry is definitely becoming more diverse. Many of the advertising professionals can bring global perspectives to the table, which can lead to some really amazing insights.
3. Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. The uncomfortable politic talk, for example, is something we all should go through in order to better understand a person’s perspective. Learn how to be comfortable with that, even if you keep cringing throughout the whole conversation.
4. You know what you know for a reason, so don’t overthink it.
5. Experiential marketing is NOT for all brands.
In General:
6. Go explore on your own! Hanging out in Williamsburg by myself after an agency visit helped me recharge a bit.
7. If break dancers start performing their routine on the subway, move ASAP. (I almost got kicked in the face.)
8. Consume everything. Being in New York allowed me to learn more about the things I was already interested in, and also allowed me to get more immersed with the culture that city had to offer.
-Lynn Nguyen
Shoes to Fill
One of the most valuable parts of this experience was getting to meet the inspiring, bad*ss women of FLOCK; a group of successful (female) duck alum who know the ins and out of the advertising industry. They answered the questions we did not know to ask about navigating NYC, interviews, and networking (shoutout Kasey Coffey, Amelea Renshaw, & Rachelle DiGregorio). Each one of these women served advice that resonated with all of us on some level.
So, thank you to our new mentors and everyone involved with FLOCK. You are so appreciated.
- Emily Ost
With Fire
The end of the One Show Awards was in my opinion the highlight of the trip. The announcement of MullenLowe’s current stance on gun violence was so unexpected and is such an unheard of thing for an agency to partake in. The Fight Gunfire with Fire campaign has so much potential to make a huge impact on the current situation of gun violence in the United States. I am excited to see how it plays out and if it has the impact I expect. This is just a reminder of the power the industry has- and I am stoked to see what happens.
-Kiana Griffith
Looking at this beautiful view reflecting on the fact that New Yorkers absolutely have the best shoe game.
- Sydnie Johsnon
Inspired
The key to succeeding in advertising as an account manager!
1. advertising is not a 9-5 job
2. love the work
3. EVERYTHING is your job
4. find a reason to be in the room
5. be militant on the details
6. say things NICELY and in person
7. treat the client money and the agency’s like your own
8. DON’T LET ANYONE OUT WORK YOU!
Sometimes it feels impossible for me to separate myself from my work, but at 72andSunny, Ben Wiley gave us a piece of advice that made sharing a part of yourself a little easier. He said, “Don’t make anything precious.” Easier said than done right? But it truly starts from the start. You must begin knowing you’re are going to have to let go of a thousand ideas before you get the best one. Don’t cling to every idea like it’s a piece of your soul because although you are bearing your mind daily, it’s not who you are. Ideas are all moving pieces, and when you’re able to take a step back, you can get a much better view of the puzzle.
Sydnie Johnson
Cultural Portals
That’s what I’m going to refer to the New York subway to as from now on.
I’ve never experienced something that interesting and borderline shocking.
When I got to New York early (first timer btw), we explored Manhattan because what else do you do when you’ve never been to a place other than be a tourist. But when we took the subway away from Manhattan and into Brooklyn to our AirBnB, as we left the subway it was as if we were in a completely different area of the world. It was actual culture. Street shops and real bodegas. Music blaring and people yelling obscenities. Kids playing basketball on the street with no basketball hoop.
And interspersed between all of this, were the trendy Brooklyn residents who were part of the gentrification of New York.
It’s a strange feeling to see what you’ve always read about. Especially being from Oregon. It was important for me, and it’s something I’ve continued to think about since I got to NY on May 4th.
Matt Wunderlin 5/15/18
Insight
A lot of advice from the advertising industry gets recycled over and over and ends up being demoralizing when you’re looking for actual insight into what you can expect from your career.
That’s what separates the New York trip from everything else. Face to face conversation provides so much more than just a lecture. It’s a conversation. These professionals have the talking points, but they want to be engaged on a deeper level. They don’t want to tell you that you need to work hard or be good at photoshop, they want to tell you what they are interested in and how it helps them be better at their job. They want to help you understand how your interests can be harnessed to land a job.
But they can only do that when we ask good questions.
Matt Wunderlin
Culture?
Over and over, agencies reiterated the word “culture” to us. But, it was strange, because every single agency had a different meaning and use for what culture meant to them. For example, Translation doesn’t just follow cultural trends to help brands become relevant, they help brands thrive in current culture by helping them find their voice and reason. But, other agencies viewed culture and used that meaning in different ways.
Regardless, one of my biggest takeaways from this week was the understanding that keeping up with what is happening in the world, form current news to current memes, is undeniably one of the most important things to know.
- Hannah Diamond
Work Vibes
A few of the most important things in my eyes for happiness at work is being in a great place, being around great people, and being comfortable.
I saw some agencies on this trip that had me in awe. Beautiful offices, great work, and interesting people. But then there were the agencies I went into and all I felt was this was MY place.
From SZA playing out loud, to coworkers chatting in between work, to open offices that weren’t restricted to sitting at a desk or cubicle for the entire day.
Sign me up.
Matt Wunderlin