Toto, we’re not in Eugene anymore
In our pocket of the northwest, it’s easy to feel like our dot on the map is a little bigger than it actually is. My first three hours in the Big Apple quickly put everything back into perspective. I walked by Radio City and Carnegie Hall, watched protests at Trump Tower and saw countless Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh paintings at the Museum of Modern Art. The venues have held the world’s greatest performers, the protesters are on TV sets across the country, and I have seen pieces like Starry Night in my textbooks since elementary school. They’re all right here, nestled amongst each other with such saturation that they hardly seem to be getting the amount of attention they deserve. I was awestruck at the history that New Yorkers pass by every day without second thought. I hope I never lose my current sense of wonder.
Thomas Rice 5/6/18
![[Here’s a doodle from my flight]
It felt like Christmas Eve last night before my flight. But instead of dreaming about gumdrops and candy canes- I dreamt of taking a bite out of the big apple. It’s interesting that I found myself on this voyage,...](https://64.media.tumblr.com/54079417e4916438e63c4efd071c83e1/tumblr_p8bvkofLat1w9gbkvo1_1280.jpg)
[Here’s a doodle from my flight]
It felt like Christmas Eve last night before my flight. But instead of dreaming about gumdrops and candy canes- I dreamt of taking a bite out of the big apple. It’s interesting that I found myself on this voyage, because some of my biggest influences (musically) are from- and frequently reference New York. As an avid hip-hop connoisseur- New York is defined as the birthplace and primary purveyor of this culture. Through the years, listening to Pro Era, Mos Def, Guru, B.I.G, KRS, etc., I’ve grown an unintentional affinity for a city I’ve never experienced first-hand. I plan to explore the reason behind my affinity and meet some cool people along the way!
P.S. Already met some cool people. The person I sat next to on the flight works at spotify and gave me some great recommendations for Jazz clubs to check out! Ended up getting way more helpful information than I could have expected. All I needed to do was ask.
-Olin Vetterlein 5/6
3 things about New York from a first timer:
1. So I did the Time Square thing for the first time today, and it was exactly what you’d think. There were a million people moving 100 miles an hour, with no general concern for any moving vehicles. I figured I’d be overwhelmed, but there was a weird comfort in the craze. Everyone was just doing their own thing and minding their own business, and we did the same.
2. People really aren’t that mean. I broke a wheel on my million pounds rolling suitcase today and a random civilian stopped to help. I told him I had to make it to the subway to get to Grand Central Station, and after laughing at me he told me to just call an Uber.
3. Let me say this is a stark contrast from Eugene. Before I came, my dad told me he could never live in New York because he wanted to walk out his front door and touch grass or see some trees. There really isn’t any grass anywhere… but I think I’m willing to give it up for the pizza.
Sydnie Johnson
#FirstTimer
New York, NY (noun): fast-paced, crazy, impatient, vibrant and diverse
Maddie Gomez (noun): crazy, impatient, vibrant and cultured
Some of the similarities I noticed between me and this amazing city.
I’ve I always wanted to travel to NYC and now I’m here with my talented crew. This is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to witness creative greatness. Let’s get it!
barely here
I almost didn’t come on this trip. I hated the idea of having forced conversations with industry professionals… “hey I’m cool please give me a job.” It took some convincing for me to decide to go, but now that I’m here I’m excited to take on the week. Turns out I just needed to shift my perspective and look at the week as a learning opportunity. I’ve never been inside an agency or a production house of any kind, so this week is a chance for me to feel out a bunch of places that my advertising degree could lead me to.
I’m looking forward to visiting production houses and experiential agencies during this week, and to learn more about what they do, and how they integrate producers into their culture.
boom
Simon Calem | May 6th
Little Girl, Big Apple.
I have one goal for this trip and it’s to drive myself toward a future career I can be proud of and enjoy. I have always stood quietly on the sidelines and waited for opportunities to find me, but that’s not who I want to be. I want to break out of my shell and chase my dreams to make them realties. I’m so nervous and overwhelmed but I’m excited beyond measure. I’m a little girl in a big city, full of opportunity, talent and wonder and I cannot wait to take advantage of this opportunity.
- Sydney Snyder
#UONYC2018
little wins
The last time I was in New York City it was 2014, I was with my mom and dad, and we were visiting my sister who’d just recently moved to the city post grad. It’s been almost exactly four years since that trip, and it’s almost like I’m in an entirely different city. When I came with the family, we took cabs everywhere, ate out every night, did the touristy thing, rode the double deckers, etc., and that was all good. I’m glad I got it out of the way.
Now, I’m here on my own terms. The context of my presence in the city has changed, but the city remains the same (for the most part). It’s a pretty sweet reminder of how much growing up I’ve done in the past four years. Sure, a small task like navigating the subways is a little tiny baby win, but it’s one that I couldn’t fathom doing 4 years ago, at 17, when I really thought I knew it all. I look forward to having more of those little wins in the next few days. I like to make lists, so expect a comprehensive report by Friday. A lot can happen in 5 days!
-Audrey Weatherhead
Opportunity Awaits
Wyatt Nelson – May 6th
New York, New York. The city so nice they named it twice. I am very excited for what’s to come this upcoming week. Just being here in the city for only a couple of hours, I now understand what all the hype about this place is. It is simply incredible. I am full of nerves and excitement. I am interested to see every agency that I have on my schedule. I have done research on each one of them and can’t wait to finally see them in person. My goal is to come away with at least one strong contact that I can approach later on after this trip with advice and leadership from each agency that I visit. Obviously, this trip is about networking, so I want to have a high goal in that area. However, more importantly, I want to understand what it is like to work for a solidified agency. How they go about their work and the purpose that is behind that work. I also want to get the feel of working out in New York and try and understand what “New York speed” is truly about. I am very grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to start my week.
the art of the pitch
the first pitch is always a big one, just ask any of the quasi-famous public personalities asked to awkwardly throw the baseball at an MLB game. all eyes on you, everyone (usually) hoping you don’t completely miss the mark, and the smell of beer, popcorn and hotdogs filling the air.
well pitching in advertising is a lot like that. especially if your client happens to be bud light, orville redenbacher, oscar meyer, or any frankestein-esque mixture of the three. the only real difference is the first pitch is THE pitch and it’s not simply ceremonial.
throughout my time at the sojc, i’ve had a lot of opportunities to pitch. be it classes, clubs, or NSAC (!!!) there’s a few things i have gleaned:
1. actively listen to your fellow presenters. if you space out, or just anticipate what your next move is, the client can tell. have an authentic conversation both with your presenters and with your client — keep it real + not obviously rehearsed
2. have the answers to every question the client could ask on deck. keep your creative related to your strategy especially. have your team poke the necessary holes in the campaign so you can plug them when the time comes. sink or swim baby.
3. cliche, but important. if you mess up, you’re the only who knows. keep going. improvise. be honest. just don’t stop and get mad at yourself.
remember, pitching makes perfect ;)
see you tuesday anomaly!
@kyle4prezident (5.6.18)
Art , music, and culture is oozing everywhere here. My morning subway ride took me through two stations in Queens with music blaring from boom boxes and live performers in the subway stairwells and in the cars themselves . Everybody in the streets this morning seemed to be completely decked out, everyone with earbuds in, tuning in and tuning out. Curious to hear from my peers who are visiting Spotify Friday how the company is influenced by the booming music scene of this monstrous city. Reggae , House, Punk, Trap, Techno, Disco jams….I’ve heard it all already! Such a pleasure to hear more than the bongo buskers back home in Eugene….Heads up to my fellow Art Directors Spotify posted this up in regards to their applicant qualifications :
“You get nervous if you’re not sketching concepts or polishing the designs that represent the big-thinking work. Your head is in the clouds while your feet are on the ground.”
Definitely feel like I’m on cloud 9 with 1992 Deluxe slowly draining my battery as I head toward the East Village to buy a new blank sketch book for the week.
What is your perfect city playlist?
-Brenna Fox 5/6/18