On the Clock

The industry is full of fun, exciting and wonderful shops (many of them part of this trip) that it can often be hard to remember that all of this is still “work”. 

Nearly every job I’ve ever worked has been in operations. Whether it was summer jobs in spice blending and plumbing distribution warehouses; or the ever-enlightening world of being UO Campus Ops Relamper, time tracking has been of the utmost importance.

Clocking in, clocking out, taking lunch, charging specific work orders, etc.. It all sounds like a logistical nightmare, and it is, but there’s no arguing with payroll.

We hear the term, “billable time,” often but this industry is clearly far different than other jobs. As a relamper, I can easily say that I spent three hours changing lightbulbs in MacArthur Court, but how do I say I spent X amount of time thinking about Client A or Client B?

At Anomaly-NY, they have done away with time sheets. They have recognized the rub of the whole system and are extremely proud to boast about their departure from the norm.

We are undoubtedly lucky to be able to call all of this “work”, but as we step out into the world of punching in and out, it’ll be important that we understand what makes our industry different. Culture is always changing, and not just in the pretty/artistic/creative ways, but in the nitty-gritty logistics, as well.

- James Vos 

5.10.18

Stride

I adore the movement of NYC. From the stumbling and falling on subways, to the sudden hesitation(s) of being hit by an eager car on the street - but more importantly, stride. Stride, the art of walking and the variations of it keep me intrigued. No two legs the same, from functionality, to length and bulk, this stride conveys that message, the message that (in slight) informs you of who this character before you might be. Are they smooth? Smooth characters completely avoid looking disheveled even in full rush. Are they considerate? Considerate characters slow, or speed up stride in consideration for their environment. Nevertheless, we all experience this pace that is NYC, and we all deal with that pace in one way or another. mine’s is quick, smooth I’d like to say, usually avoids things in the way, but always taking in account what happens en route to the subway… stride.

BB

With just some of the advice I have received, I have realized that my career path can lead me almost anywhere. Professionals with all different types of degrees and backgrounds have landed amazing jobs within the advertising industry. This makes me realize that I could be doing something different than what I have my mind set on right now. With that being said, I am applying for jobs and internships to get my foot in the door and hoping that this could lead me in a direction I will pursue.

Remaining open-minded will guide me to the ultimate career path.

Lauren Baker 5.10.18

Translation

One of my favorite places that I visited was Translation. The biggest thing I took away from here is that people naturally hate advertising. When something pops up and interrupts what they’re doing, it bothers them and creates a negative reaction. It’s our job as advertising companies to find new ways to reach our audience. What I like about Translation is that they are able to create culturally-relevant work while steering from the typical print or television heavy “buy our products” work. The use of experimental and non-traditional ads is growing. It’s important that as we move into the work place we are able to understand and recognize these trends in the ad world. people may remember an advertisement for a year or two, but an experience will stay with them forever. 

-Scotty Williams 

Initial Thoughts

New York is a big city with an even bigger attitude. My first impressions on New York is that it NEVER STOPS MOVING. Coming from a more mellow town like Portland Oregon, it was a bit of an adjustment. One thing I’ve picked up in my first days here is a sense of urgency. It can be easy to become sluggish or lazy, but the constantly moving city inspires you to work harder. I could definitely see myself living somewhere fast-paced like New York.

-Scotty Williams 

Consume, consume, consume…

It’s day four of us being in the city and all I can say is wow. Every agency I have been to has been fantastic. After listening to a number of panelists speak, a common theme that each person has brought up is the consumption of information. To understand what is going on in the world, you have to consume as much information as you can. Whether it’s articles, movies, TV shows, or even just simply just listening to what people have to say, consuming information helps us understand what people are thinking. 

As a strategist, knowing what people are thinking and understanding current trends can help create thoughtful insights. One of the biggest things I have taken away from this trip so far is knowing what it takes in order to create thoughtful insights to help tell compelling stories. 

A quote that stuck with me: 

“Find a narrative grounded in truths that makes sense.” -Joe Panepinto, Jack Morton

Kyle Steffens

5.10.2018

Advertising Won’t Leave

Today, I was told to tap into other passions that aren’t advertising, because advertising won’t stand up and leave the room. For me, it would be writing for baseball. I was even told I have a good voice for radio, so I could lead a country music or baseball talk show. Right now, my knowledge of writing for advertising is headlines and taglines, which I didn’t know existed until Fall 2017. Because of that limited knowledge, I was told I’m missing out on other worlds of writing. Also, I realized I need to bury my self doubt 6 feet under and put a steel cage around the grave site in case it turns into a zombie. Ben Knauer | Post #4 | 5/10/18

Learning how to strategize

This trip so far has been an enlightening experience. Getting to know the flow of the city and realizing I could actually see myself thriving here was eye-opening. BUT what I want to talk about is learning strategy. Meeting strategic professionals in the agencies and seeing frameworks that they use to get big insight that creates dope work, has been helpful in getting a stronger barring of the role. Many of the people we have met have been literally been in our seats as students in the last year or two. Seeing the progress these people have made so quickly gives me a lot of hope and I’m truly thrilled to be in the position I am in! 

- Amar Mann

May 10, 2018

Production//Producer

My first exposure to the production world was on Tuesday at Quietman. Although their office space was not too big, our crowd of 6 was able to really get a close one on one time with Them! It got even more interesting a night later, when I went to go out to eat at a fancy burger restaurant. There I was eavesdropping on a conversation two individuals were having in the seat next to me. To my surprise they were in advertising as well. As my usual extroverted self does, I went to them and asked about what they were talking about and they gave me some great insight! Coincidentally one of them worked hand in hand with John who works at Quietman! They told me to checkout Hungryman and Smuggler, two very big production agencies here. It still baffles me how everything works out in weird ways like this. Even at the 72andSunny alum reunion I was able to meet 2 producers, whom both told me that having big passion projects that have nothing to do with actual work is still great! It was very exciting to get to see former students who were in my shoes looking successful!

On another note, after talking to these producers whom are alum, it made me realize that the SOJC ad program lacks to educate people on what a producer really does. I feel that many people believe that it is just someone who produces content, but in the real world, agencies take the term producer to be something so much more. As a takeaway I feel that it would be great to see more light shed on these roles like the producer and others that are underrepresented in the program!

- Julian Watanabe-Neis