Five College of Communication and Information students recently attended New York City’s Advertising Week, the first time the School of Media and Journalism sent students on a learning experience outside the university since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertising Week, the world’s premier event for the marketing, advertising and technology industries, was held at Hudson Yards in Manhattan from Oct. 18-21, 2021. Three of the five students who visited were officers from Franklin Advertising, a pre-professional student organization that helps students get connected with advertising agencies and professionals. Senior Advertising major and Franklin Advertising officer Jana Seifert, ‘22, said the event was an environment that got her excited for post-graduation work.
“After going to Ad Week, I felt like a professional when I was there,” Seifert said. “I felt like I could do this. ... And just seeing so many people be passionate about something like that, that I'm relatively passionate about was reassuring.”
Professor Danielle Sarver Coombs, Ph.D. accompanied the students to New York, and said the trip was a “fantastic opportunity” for students to network with professionals and learn about the industry’s progress.
“After spending the last 1.5 years in online classes and Zoom meetings, the chance to be in person — and in New York — was all the more special,” Coombs said. “Spending time in the heart of the American advertising industry is always impressive, but this year it was particularly gratifying to see, hear, and learn in a face-to-face environment.”
Listen to the students and Professor Coombs talk about their experience on "Around the Sphere," the podcast of MDJ.
Students shared their favorite moments and key insights they gained from Ad Week:
Bee Hursh, Senior Advertising Major:
- Key insight: “Advertisers are in the memory business, and nostalgia is a powerful tool.”
- Favorite moment: Networking
Kat Anderson, Senior Advertising Major:
- Key insight: “It is okay to set boundaries in the workplace and communicate when you can’t take on any more tasks. Take care of your mental health, so you can feel and work better.”
- Favorite moment: Matthew McConaughey and getting to know fellow Franklin Advertising members
Alec Guy, Senior Communication Studies Major:
- Key insights: The importance of audio and TikTok and the rise of streaming
- Favorite moment: Learning more about the advertising industry and observing NYC life
Alexis Albright, Senior Advertising Major:
- Key insight: “What are the core truths your audience is looking for, and how can you empower that?”
Jana Seifert, Senior Advertising Major:
- Key insight: “Focus on originality, not virality.”