In New York, we each got the opportunity to visit a variety of different agencies. Each agency had their own missions, goals, culture, and people creating great work. I began to wonder how a business may choose who they want to do business with; all these agencies produce such amazing work, it work be a very difficult decision. What I came to find by the end of the week is agency-customer compatibility is key. Businesses should want to work with agencies who produce the work they are asking for, but be open to a bit of a risk at time. Similarly, agencies should produce what companies ask for, but be willing to take the risks necessary for good advertising. I also came to realize that often times companies are not ready to take the risks proposed by agencies. As one strategist mentioned, only about 20% of his work gets to see the light of day. As students in advertising, this rejection is not something we face when creative mock-campaigns and passion projects. One of my goals from now until I graduate is to begin finding opportunities in which I can allow my work to fail or succeed, rather than have it lie around and collect dust. I want to gain experience in rejection (as odd as that sounds) before I enter the industry.

Paige Price