Chicago
This past weekend 108 students left New York and flew home to Eugene, OR. I was one of those students, however, unlike everyone else I found myself with a 15 hour overnight layover in the Chicago airport due to weather. I was exhausted and just wanted to get back to my bed. As I look back on those 15 hours in Chicago stuck sleeping on the floor I now can look back on that moment and realize its greater meaning. I realized that those 15 hours is a reflection on how advertising works. You go through your campaign thinking everything is going perfect and then the client throws a curveball at you and then you have to adjust. Then another curveball and another and another. That is the beauty of advertising it isn’t linear, it is changing and testing you to see how you react. This industry is based off of how you react and push to be do better. You’ll get thrown crazy curveballs you never saw coming, like a 15 hour layover, and that is why we are drawn to it. We are drawn to the late nights and the heart racing moments of getting something right. I believe that to love advertising you have to have a little crazy in you to thrive in this industry. So next time life or a client throws a curveball at you, take a moment and embrace the crazy and then push to do better.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.15.2017
Goodbye New York.
Bags are packed, hotels are left, and planes are boarded.
As our week in New York comes to an end I can’t help but look back on this week. I learned so much and last Friday feels like a lifetime ago. As I prepare to return to reality I can’t help but feel bittersweet. On one hand I am pumped to go back to Eugene to be in my own bed and see my friends. On the other hand, how could I ever want to leave a city with so much to offer? How could I leave a city that was starting to feel like home? I’m left with this dilemma and I know it is a great problem to have but I can’t help but want the best of both worlds. Within a week I learned so much from this program. I learned to be confident in my skills but to always keep pushing to be better. I learned that you will fail in your career, however, it is how you handle those failures that will dictate your success. Finally, I learned that if you aren’t happy do something about it. Be proactive and don’t let others run your career or life.
Ask any of the 108 students who went on this trip and they will tell you that this trip changed them in some way. That is the beauty of New York, it inspires you and changes your perspective. This week we were pushed to feel uncomfortable and step out of our comfort zones. We were pushed to represent our school. We were pushed to think critically and look at the bigger picture. Above all we were pushed to unite as a team and help each other find ourselves in this chaotic city.
Bags are packed, the city is in the distance, and a 108 students are left looking back on an incredible week.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.13.2017
Soundtrack to my life.
You know how in movies there is always that moment where the song playing is the reason that moment in the movie is so profound? I had that moment today. Today I decided to go out and explore on my own. This made me super uncomfortable because I get lost when I am even using my GPS so I didn’t have much hope of getting to where I wanted to actually go. So as I’m walking down 56th street there is a pause in my music and for some reason I got this weird feeling all over my body that I couldn’t explain. Then Imagine Dragons “Its Time” came on and for 3 minutes and 57 seconds I had this profound moment where I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. This feeling was probably the most surreal feeling ever. I suddenly felt calm and at peace knowing that this moment was absolutely perfect. I knew that no matter where my future took me I would have this one moment walking down 56th street that I could look back on. It was a moment that I doubt many people get, however, for some reason something bigger than myself happened in that moment. I may never understand why that moment happened but I think that is the beauty in those moments. They are rare and unique and when they happen you just have to be present in that moment and ride the wave.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.11.2017
Take a breath.
Wake up. Get ready. Eat breakfast. Visit an agency. Rush lunch. Be a tourist. Visit an agency. Get dinner. Continue to be a tourist. Go to sleep. Repeat.
For the past three days this has been my schedule. It has left me exhausted, however, I have also never felt so inspired in my life. For the past three days I have been exposed to smart thinking and have had the pleasure of meeting people who like to break the rules. Today I received 7 tips that have managed to change my perspective on life. As Deb would say these 7 tips are “on the final.” The final being life. So I thought that I would create my own 7 tips based off of what I’ve learned from agencies and from just being in New York.
Tip 1: Provoke a conversation.
People aren’t in this industry to just do normal everyday ads. We are in this industry to make a statement and have the world hear our voices. Take a risk.
Tip 2: Have some fight in you and be indispensable.
This industry will test you and that is the beauty of it. Don’t back down, stand for what you believe in and make sure that you have a lot of tools in your toolbox. Everyday someone is working to take your spot so make sure you outwork them.
Tip 3: Passion Projects –> DO THEM!
Passion Projects are the holy grail of advertising because they are projects close to your heart. Find what you are passionate about and create something. It might die or it might ignite a fire that can’t be stopped.
Tip 4: Your path isn’t linear.
Rarely will you hear about someone having the “perfect path” in advertising. Advertising is a series of twists and curveballs being thrown at you. This may be scary but it can also be exciting as hell. Embrace the twists and curveballs because they might just change your life.
Tip 5: Never stop the hustle.
In a place like New York you never stop moving and working. It is a place where you constantly have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. When you are pushed to be uncomfortable great work is produced.
Tip 6: Have a personality.
You probably heard this from your mom a thousand times but “just be yourself.” In an industry as diverse and unique as this one the best thing you can do is find out what makes you weird and quirky and own it. Don’t let others tell you to be something you are not. Screw the haters and just do you boo.
Tip 7: Breathe and have a little fun.
Sometimes it is easy to feel like our lives are consumed by advertising and while I love what I do it doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun too. So take a break, take a breath, and go doing something you have never done. This city is a hub of culture, so go explore it.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.10.2017