TBWA/Chiat/Day
Visiting TBWA/Chiat/Day was without a doubt the most impactful agency visit of the week. We heard from their Chief Diversity Officer who inspired us with seven of the most insightful tips I have ever heard in my life. These tips can be found below:
1. Prove trust + consistency.
2. Your reputation is the only thing that precedes you when you walk into the room.
3. Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
4. Know the people you are with every day.
5. You pay for what you don’t know.
6. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
7. Know how to tell your story, success overrides all doubt.
5.16.18
Will Parker
How to be of immediate assistance.
Understand that the company or agency that hired you already believes in your abilities. Although you have a lot to learn, you have a lot to give, right away. Bring forth a few suggestions when asked that answer the question, but go one step further and present extra ideas if there is a contingency. Use real results that you notice to help inform creative. The only dumb comments are the ones that are not said and kept quiet. More steps posted below:
1. Communicate.
2. Make it client ready.
3. Double check every report.
4. Don’t wait to be assigned.
5. Identify a problem, come with a solution.
6. When you get an ask, don’t do it to a tee, make it creative.
7. Listen/ write down everything.
8. Don’t re-ask. Don’t.
9. Don’t overlook the basics.
10. Present your work with confidence.
5.16.18
Will Parker
What a Strategist is to me after NYC
A strategist is a social listener, a sponge for information, has the art directors view of if something can actually become a reality in the time given and with the technology given, has the leadership to look at a birds eye view of the project and can act as a project-manager thinker, has the design concepts needed in order to see the importance of consistency all the way through, and most importantly - can back up all these ideas and insights with data that authenticate people’s experiences. They seek a diverse line-up of thinkers beside them in collaboration because they know that, when given a brief, a variety of stories, perspective, and experience at the table furthers a collective discovery of truth. Strategists embrace their personal passions and interests in their side projects because pursuing their curiosities refines their unique point of view that they have to offer. Last but not least, strategists welcome opportunities to say “yes.” As constant learners, they are catalysts for the creative process because they embrace the possibility of failing with the confidence that any knowledge gained in the process makes them 10x better of an asset to the teams they work with.
-Emily Pearson
NY
The past week was a wakeup call to the reality that awaits us all. From the inspiring presentations at agencies to the conversations with random individuals on the subway. There’s something impactful to be taken from any conversation no matter how large or small. The second we arrived in New York, I was able to feel the energy of everyone who was working their butts off to do great in whatever field they were in. New York was scary, yet very inspiring regarding the idea of getting my shit done, because someone else will, and currently is, working harder to achieve their future goals.
-Alex Chaparro
NYC Hot Takeaways:
-Uncertainty leads to change.
-Do work, be irreplaceable.
-Your book is you, make it so.
-The budget should always be infinity during brainstorm.
-Have faith in the system, passion in execution.
-“One team, one dream.”
-Get yourself a mentor.
-Pretend to know.
-Bigger agencies have more opportunity to effect pop-culture.
-Put yourself in the client’s shoes.
-Style can define your brand.
-Effort over everything.
-Make time.
-Actively view the world.
-Know what you don’t like.
-Know what story you want to live.
Olin Vetterlein 5.15.18
NY4 - Guidance
“Act a way into thinking,” Rob DeFlorio at Radical Media explained- rather than think yourself into a way of acting. I found this to be the most explicit definition of professionalism described on the trip. It explains the relentless curiosity one must have to learn in a changing industry, while remaining relevant and being an active contributor. Know your role, but also know where you want to be down the line. Then take steps daily to get there.
After all your experiences in school, “I hope you learned how to learn,” stated Johnnie at Quietman. The director described the necessity for one to be continually moving toward new strategies and different techniques. Having an appetite for understanding new developments in a changing scenery is crucial to not get left behind.
Olin Vetterlein 5.15.18
Gratitude
Wow.
What a week. While I’ve always loved Oregon and been happy with my decision to attend this school and study the disciplines I have chosen, this week blew me away. The support and openness of the Oregon network all the way across the country was insane. I met countless people willing to share their time, stories, and advice. On top of the support from the Oregon network, everyone at the agencies I visited with over the week was kind, interested, and looking to help us grow. The industry may be fast-paced and competitive, but it’s also full of amazing, brilliantly generous people.
- Leah Kennon // 5.14.2018
NY BP3 - Persistence
In order to be consistent- you must be persistent. With so many influences surrounding us everyday- it takes work to not be swept up in the interests of the masses. You’ve got to be good at filtering out the bullshit in life that doesn’t help you. Because if you don’t, it will slow you down and dilute your work.
Question everything. Not knowing something looks way dumber than asking a simple question. People will respect your pursuit of understanding. But remember too that your personal opinion holds weight so don’t be afraid to share it. Advertising is a place where just about anyone can come up with an insight or cool idea. Just because you are the strategist or media planner, doesn’t mean you can’t have an idea for the execution. The roles are way more fluid in the real world than it is made out to be in our coursework.
Olin Vetterlein 5.14.18
This is an ad I saw on a subway that I think is the perfect unofficial motto of the past week. We’re all makers, creator, and doers who have the opportunity to change the world.
-Tyler Kastan
The better you are at articulating what you desire in life- the more likely that people will be able to help you in achieving your goals. Speak and listen with purpose. If people don’t know you- then it is improbable that they will know how to help you. Even if you don’t know where your end goal is, it is important to practice expressing your interests and pursuing these by positioning yourself as an active listener and doer.
Looking back at my experiences in the Sojc, I wish I had tried playing a little bit of every role in the industry. By doing this, you familiarize yourself with the entire process of creation from start to finish. If you do one role really well, that’s rad, but you are probably less valuable to your team than someone who can play three different roles decently. Being multifaceted is the most crucial skill in this industry, because the different combination of skills you possess and your proficiency with them is what makes you indispensable at a job.
Olin Vetterlein 5.13.18