[Insert Your Name] Advertising Summit

A blog by Ad 2 President and Student Advertising Summit Attendee and Participate of three years.

Instagram picture is by @mnfutureadgal, sitting front row at 8:10 AM on Friday 3/2/12

Some of you Ad Fed alumni, members or current Ad 2 members may have heard of this before, the Student Advertising Summit which was held Friday, March 2. The day actually originated in the mid-90′s called “Career Day” for students to come and learn about internships and jobs in the advertising and marketing field. In 2005, the day re-branded into Student Advertising Summit and now is called “SAS” if you’re in the right in-groups. The day continues to grow and break records for attendees reaching over 300 this year. Along with the important Sponsorship participation in the advertising community is only growing.

The day started with opening announcements, which I had to try to settle the group down the crowd from being too rowdy of course. Sarah Heininger and Andrea Styczinski are the co-directors of the SAS event also helped start the day off. These two talented women have been part of the planning for a few years being interns and then volunteer leaders. It took a few weeks of convening them that they can take on the director role, but now after one year under their belt I bet they feel invincible in their early careers!

The tweets directly to me started after my opening speech, which just had a few points on real networking, “Research tells us that between 60-80% of jobs are found through personal relationships”. I also made sure the attendees knew how important it was that they took the time to come to the U of M campus today. They were here for a reason and that was apparent.

“Tell Better Stories” Christopher Owens the keynote speaker at lunch. He opened with a Kardashian joke. So YES he was entertaining, real and simply incredible. We all appreciated that.

Throughout the day, the hellos and interest in Ad 2 came in through the booth that we had set-up next to Colle + McVoy’s sponsor table. Ad 2 members and friends helped while I got to talk to potential members and also just the population on questions.

I worked throughout the morning to later find out that the team needed me to be part of the round-table discussions that give attendees some candid time with industry leaders. Sitting at a creative table, I found that every group of about 10-15 were interested in agency stories, how to show-off their creative portfolio and what jobs to apply for. I was very real with them showing-off how the iPad can help influence job interviewers and making sure they knew to have an online website, Behance or Cargo. I shared a few personal stories about interviewing and presumptions on appearance.

The questions also were asked to me about internships and I make sure they knew to pick their Top 5 agencies/marketing/businesses and to go after it! My internship was not even posted online; I approached the company because one day I wanted to move to San Diego and that company had a location there. Halfway through the interview Randall Herrera (now a Creative Director at OLSON) says to me, “What are you here interviewing for again?” Needless to say, I was their very first intern and was later offered a job after college graduation.

I’m a believer of business cards and leave-be-hinds. I don’t care if others tell you not to use them; the cards that do surface somewhere are worth something. I can remember after graduation when I send postcards to hundreds of contacts in the mail (yes in the snail-mail not email) and still remember when Amanda Brinkman (at the time, head of UHG Carrot and past Ad 2 & Ad Fed President) told me personally that her secretary gave it to her and said “Wow, this looks really cool.” I also caught people hanging them up in their office as art. I can also recall how many times I would get a call or email and it starts, “I saw your card and was wondering your still looking or could do any freelance.” Be creative. Be you.

Only Bemidji State Student! (I’m a ‘06 Alumni.) He was representing so proud of him! (Plug-in his name when find his business card on my desk.)

After 2 hours of consistency chatting and answering questions around an oval table, I moved on to doing a few portfolio reviews. (Meanwhile the Internet became terribly slow and I tried to send-off a few client changes; I then had to brush off my bandwidth frustrations very quickly). The portfolio reviews instantly gave me a flashback to 2006 when I had my portfolio class and the recommendations that the teachers tell you that are “agency real-life” can frankly be a real-life industry joke. The main thing I had to remember is let the presenter shine and help them remember and highlight their strengths and also minus a few weaknesses within their portfolio– then give some true criticism. I ended-up giving one of the girls a hug after because she did so well and I could feel her nervousness.

The day ended with a happy hour at the Library Bar where most U of M college students go to get $2 drinks and $1 shots. The basement was packed and the tension was relaxed while a few students still had resumes in hand, which I loved seeing.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without my Ad 2 volunteers Allie Eide and Zach Zutler helping with the Ad 2 table, whom were 1st year SAS attendees last year and now are part of the Ad 2 board and successfully have landed jobs at mono and Campbell Mithun. (A tiny bit jealous right?) Also like to thank Jay Larson and his fabulous photographer and genuine energy. I have to say, that when it comes to events and having the right guy, you must be patient and truly care about the cause and Jay does. I think I have known him for 3-4 years now and we met at AIGA events back when I networked 5 nights of the week! (Now only 3 nights, a girl has to catch-up with her TV shows.)

Shout-out to the entire Student Advertising Summit Team because I have to say, this will go in history that first time any group ever attempted to get a real-life flash-mob together! Now place a link to the flash-mob.

Also BIG THANKS to all my friends, colleagues and mentors that were part of the day that I didn’t get to talk to or see them present. So happy to see familiar faces and it wasn’t unnoticed!

I hope to still participate with the summit throughout my career and also become a spotlight speaker to enhance the diversity for the years to come. I have so many topics and ideas that I must be able to execute them.

Did you insert your own name into the summit title of my blog? Because at any age or point in your career you can attend; it’s great to have a day to step-back and learn, think about the future and remember why we all got into Advertising in the first place.

High-Fives to all the participates and attendees! Hope to see you at the next Ad 2 event to chat-it-up!

Tricia
Ad 2 President

To follow her other adventures and newest posts stay tuned to www.blog.mndesigngal.com.