Words of Wisdom & Advice for Success
Before this trip I had only ever visited three or four advertising agencies. One of my favorite parts of visiting agencies, especially agencies with University of Oregon alumni, is all of the advice, tips, and words of wisdom we are offered. Here is a list of some of the best advice and words of wisdom I have received on this trip so far that I believe is relevant to any young person wanting to succeed in the industry:
- Be unique and don’t be afraid to share your diverse point of view.
- Have an opinion and pay attention to the small details.
- Run at the hard problems and don’t be afraid to take on the hard / boring work that nobody else wants to do.
- Trust your intuition, be who you are, be confident, and don’t over think what you’re doing.
- Be useful, be independent, and act as a sponge - absorb everything around you and learn from it.
- Just because you have failed doesn’t mean you are a failure - fail upward and learn from your mistakes.
- Don’t be afraid of an unscripted life. Your pathway will be different than those around you and that is okay, it doesn’t mean you won’t be successful.
- Stop seeking the holy grail of jobs, it most likely won’t fulfill every hole in your life.
- Be willing to be uncomfortable and take risks.
- Claim who you are, but let your other skills come through in the work that you are doing.
- Don’t limit yourself to a job description - help out in any way you can and be useful.
- Find a mentor who is willing to help you learn, grow, and succeed.
- Find a reason to be in the room where important things are happening.
- There are no right answers in advertising.
- Work hard, but have fun at the same time.
Casey Kromer
May 10, 2018
72
I just got back from the party hosted at 72andSunny and that was one of the coolest places that I have ever been in my entire life. There was of course the incredible view of the bridges and the water, but also the artwork they had all over the place and the open and collaborative work environment made that office hands down the best office I’ve ever seen. During the party Glenn Cole spoke to all of us to welcome us to his office and gave us some inspiration and wisdom. In that moment, seeing the U of O ad fam all together in an unbelievable office started by two Ducks, I just felt so happy, fortunate, and proud to be a part of this program. I’m excited to get into the industry surrounded by so many fellow Ducks and friends, and I’m excited to give back to the program in the same way that John and Glenn have.
This trip has already been one of the best weeks of my life, and I think the best is still to come.
-Casey Hickman
The Faintest Ink
When you start getting the same piece of advice from a lot of different people, you know you should probably listen. This week alone I’ve heard “categorize your experiences,” “write down your mistakes and what you learned from them so you don’t make them again,” and “when you start your career, start a blog and see where it takes you.” The importance of documentation is a huge theme this week. This #uonyc2018 blog is a starting point, but I’m eager to write more and make sense of all the unbelievable experiences I’ve had this week.
Hannah Lewman 05.10.2018
Inspire, then amplify.
One of the things I love most about being a strategist is the fluidity of the role. Strategists do something slightly different in almost every agency. The skills and responsibilities shift with and respond to cultural and industry trends.
I heard a definition of that role yesterday that got me especially excited.
A strategist at Mother New York described her job after the initial briefing. She brings ideas to the table throughout the creative process that enhance the work. She inspires the creatives, then amplifies their work to make the maximum impact.
Inspire, then amplify. That’s what I want to say I do in my job every day.
Rachel Benner ✨
Internships Aren’t Everything
At the 72 and Sunny Alumni Event, I spoke with Matt Wunderlin, a strategist and senior at the University of Oregon. A simple question of “where do you work?” led to a great conversation about his work as a Pepsi delivery driver. We talked about how the experience will help him in advertising because he has managed deadlines, knows how to be accountable to coworkers and can do something many people can’t: Drive a semi truck. These skills gained in his job make Matt indispensable to a company. Matt’s story echoed that of Doug Melville, the Chief Diversity Officer at TBWA/Chiat Day, who drove the Oscar Meyer hot dog car for a few years before landing jobs in entertainment and advertising. My conversation with Matt and listening to Doug made me realize advertising and people skills can come from any job experience, not just internships.
Ben Knauer | 5/10/18 | Post #3
“Do more.”
Due to a bit of unexpected luck, I had the pleasure of being able to see a taping of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday afternoon, and although it was an experience that didn’t quite relate to the advertising industry, I still found it to be an incredible learning opportunity in the world of production and storytelling.
Before the recording began, Stephen entered the studio and briefed the audience on what was to follow. Generously, he allowed a few moments for a brief Q&A. One audience member, who introduced herself as a student studying TV Production, asked him how to improve her production skills while still in college. Colbert responded with a question, “how many shows are you making now?” After she responded with “one a week,” he answered her original question with a simple statement: “do more.”
He explained after this the importance of routine practice, especially in an industry that requires a fast turnaround and limited time for reflection and revision. I found myself comparing this to any of my creative pursuits, where I often tell myself to “do more,” knowing it will only allow me to improve. Although giving this advice to myself is often followed by excuses and procrastination, maybe having heard it from Stephen Colbert himself will finally get it to stick.
Haley Koch // From 05/10/2018
Being interested in the unfamiliar
This week in New York has been filled with inspiration from agencies, classmates, and the city itself. Although the busy hustle bustle of activities has been thrilling, some of my most enlightening time on this trip has been spent alone. My first night alone in New York City I spent in a hostel, something the city does not have a lot of in comparison to other big cities I have explored. I knew this was where I wanted to be, as it was an opportunity to be in the same building with people from all around the world, a small scale representation of NYC, as it is an international hub! Although I would have my school roommates to learn from all week, this would be my only opportunity to be bunking with an international stranger…an experience that has led me to make lifelong friends in the past. I thought it would be smart to ask people in my hostel for their take on American advertising compared to their own country before I took off into the NYC agency world for the week. I felt this would be a good way to encourage myself to think different, stay interested and relevant, and show that I’m straight up CURIOUS. Here is what I learned: My roommate “Lee” was a 30 year old woman from South Korea. She herself works in branding, specifically with five furniture brands that sell everything from office chairs to mattresses. I think it added a unique twist to the interview to be speaking to someone familiar with our idea business we are entering. Her initial thought when asked about advertising in her country versus America is that South Korea uses a LOT of celebrities. While it could be partly because of culture differences, Lee said that when she arrived in the city stepping out of a Soho area Subway that she did not know anyone not the ads. One thing she did have to say about the people, however, is that she thought that we appropriate people here. When asked to go more in depth, the language barrier made it hard to get her specific point across. However, as advertising students I know we can all point to a case or a hundred where we have seen this appropriation happen in America. It is going to be our job to change that and I think a good place to start that WILL be talking to those that are different…those that have actually lived what we are selling. Finally, Lee said that what stands out to her most in American advertising is merchandising (she says with a big, branded M&M’s world bag in our room), and displays, which are far from shy in New York City. I really just want this post to encourage people be interested in the unfamiliar. While I could write other examples like Lee’s, it only takes one interview to show a glimmer of the value.
Maddie Landers
5/9/2018
Account Management
maddielanders.com
four things i’ve learned from four days in new york
1) Traveling around New York by yourself is incredibly valuable. The times I’ve felt the most at peace in this city so far have been when I’m walking down a busy street alone or stuffed into a packed subway by myself. Not only is this experience good for learning to navigate a foreign city more efficiently, but it’s also incredibly humbling. It’s a beautiful thing to be constantly reminded that the people in this city aren’t really concerned about you or your life. They’re busy focusing on their lives and wants and needs. You’re free to be invisible if you’d like, and as a very introverted person who likes to observe, I find that very comforting. Going through New York with groups of talented, admirable peers is exciting. Braving the city alone is necessary.
2) Sometimes New York is exactly what you’ve seen in the movies or heard from family members or read about in books. There are bags of trash lining the streets and flocks of pigeons ruling the city. Cars honk abrasively at pedestrians and then those pedestrians stand in the middle of the road to yell profanities at the driver. If you’re in someone’s way, they’re going to tell you to move. (I particularly really like this about New Yorkers. You need directions? They’ll help you out. You’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk blocking their path while they’re trying to get somewhere? They’re going to let you know. It’s honest and it feels refreshing.) On the other hand, this city feels ALIVE when you’re moving through it, just like everyone always says. There are opportunities around every corner and seemingly unlimited things to do, see, and experience. There are many things in New York that will take your breath away. The important part is to let yourself form your own opinion of the city. Sometimes it will fall into cliches and other times it will pleasantly surprise you. Let your feelings come naturally without interference from the outside world.
3) Don’t waste people’s time. If you’re going to raise your hand during an agency visit, don’t ask something that they just answered in their presentation. Don’t ask something that could be answered by Google later. Don’t ask a question for the sake of having your voice be heard. Raising your hand isn’t going to land you a surprise internship if your question feels forced and it just causes the person speaking to lose time where they could have been giving actual valuable insight. Likewise, don’t meet someone for coffee and show up unprepared with no questions ready and having done no research. The people in our network are gracious and generous and they want to make a genuine human connection with you, but they’re not here to be your friend. They’re here to help. These opportunities are like having a free Google search engine that is specifically tailored to your dream job. Don’t throw that away by wasting their time.
4) The subway actually isn’t that hard to figure out. However, don’t get too confident about your subway navigation skills, because before you know it, the Universe will check your ego and knock you down a peg. Suddenly, you think you’re in Brooklyn but you’re actually on the opposite side of the river and then you’ll be late to an important event. This particular lesson may or may not be from a personal experience earlier today. Consider my ego checked.
-Adriane Hershey / 5.9.18
Today I spoke with a copywriter who talked a lot about creative partnerships that she has been a part of. She talked about how much she loved her current position and talked about how her first creative partnership had been difficult. She was at the position for four years, but she said that in hindsight she was too focused on sucking it up and just getting through it.
I understand well the urge not to try and bother people, but this conversation was a good reminder that it’s important to be able to recognize what’s important and worth fighting for, and what’s something that you need to just keep pushing through.
I’ve heard it a lot this week: make yourself the priority, fight for yourself. It’s important to know when to toe that line also: to make sure you don’t jeopardize a new or fresh position.
These things are complicated, and as with everything, rife with ambiguity. Not everything is going to be sunshine and roses all the time, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be miserable.
Jordan Blackburn 5/9/18 (technically 5/10 because…ya know)
Run towards, not away
I’ve met quite a few professionals with long and winding career paths, and also noticed a high turnover rate in advertising. I’ve been told that it’s often easier to get a raise when jumping from one agency to another. Other times, you and the agency aren’t a great match, and that’s okay.
Sometimes, leaving an agency can be the right choice. Today at Barton F. Graf, I received valuable advice on the subject. When you leave a job, make sure you’re not running away from something. It doesn’t matter what you’re running from, whether it be a boss, a project, or an uncomfortable situation. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s before you leave. Beyond that, make sure you’re running towards something. That’s how you’ll know you made the right decision.
Sam Coffaro
05.09.18