Category — Advertising

Woo! That’s all I have been saying since Monday. By May 2nd I would’ve attended the last class of my college career. It’s a bittersweet moment but I ready to take on the life of a working professional. I’ll be pushing prescriptions (I mean providing physicians with health care solutions) in a matter of two months as pharmaceutical sales rep for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

BUT…before I go on with this post. My apologies! I know I slacked a bit (maybe a lot) on giving you the inside scoop on working as an intern at Tierney Communications, a cool and dynamic ad agency in Center City . My final semester kicked my butt.  Yet, I know the past four years have shaped me into the woman I want to be–wildly sophisticated and utterly successful. With that said, I am back, and with graduation 22 days away, I will still be a TU-AMA thinker! You’re going to need someone to tell you how all of these (now abstract) marketing concepts play out in the real world. No worries, I am here!

To start, I did get an email from a reader! Sorry for not delivering prompt feedback but to answer the question: What is it really like to work at Tierney (i.e. people, work environment, atmosphere, etc.)?

It’s fun! It’s the only internship I’ve had where I could wear jeans at least two days out of the week. Employees really are recognized and awarded for their contributions. Co-workers across departments learn and know your name. There’s a company softball team (let’s not talk about its record). You can decorate your work space. Every Friday at 4:00 p.m. the media department kicks off the weekend with a mini 5-minute cubicle party (Don’t ask). There’s always the occasional office party to build esprit de corps (a word every strategist should know). The coffee machine isn’t bad and on any random day, there’s free food–typically caesar salads, sandwiches and fruit. And most important, the agency is filled with professionals who have extensive and amazing backgrounds and experience in media, creative design, strategic planning, marketing and advertising.

Even as my internship experience winds down, there is still so much that I am learning as an intern. I’ve been able to sit in on staff meetings, complete competitive analysis for clients, interact face-to-face with clients and watch Tierney employees participate in a marketing strategy case competition. I can say I’ve learned the most from this internship opportunity.

With that said, if there is one thing you should do RIGHT NOW to add value to your entire college career (and degree) : GET AN INTERNSHIP!!!

Greetings fellow Thinkers!

The much-anticipated, long-awaited (at least for me) first ‘Lunch Special’ feature (brought to by your “Agency Insider Pass”–me) is coming next week. Yeah, I know, all that build-up for a minor let down. But, as discussed in my previous post, part of becoming an agency insider (and taking full advantage of an internship experience) is getting to know the people around you. And it’s more than just knowing their name or where they sit. It’s about taking time to build relationships because its the individuals, just a door or cubicle away from you, who have the industry experience and know-how to help guide your career.

With that said, “Lunch Special” is an occasional special feature that gives you a taste of who’ who and who knows what at Tierney Communications (where I am an account management intern). The section will recap my lunchtime conversations with various advertising professional across departments in order to give you insight on wonderful world (I love alliteration!) of advertising.

Next week’s feature: Josh Torrisi, an account director at Tierney Communications

The Chestnut Hill, PA native has worked for three different New York City-based ad agency powerhouses, including Bates Worldwide (responsible for classic tagline: “M&M’s melt in your mouth, not in your hand”) and McCann World Group. Over a platter of pippin’ hot Buffalo wings at Good Dog Bar & Restaurant in Center City, we talked about the beginnings of Josh’s career in advertising, working for a big agency vs. a small agency, and the role of account managers, including common misconceptions about them.

Tune in next week, Thinkers!!!

Your Think tank,

Malaika

I kicked off the new year under the banner: “Elevate in ‘08.” Meaning that this year is all about strengthening the areas of weakness in my professional and personal life as well as sustaining and building upon my strengths. It’s about taking my life and career to the next level.

To start, I’ve scored a semester-long internship at Tierney Communications as an account management intern (that’s one slash mark on the strengthening my professional side.Yes!). But the new gig will also be your opportunity to see the daily inter-workings of one of Philadelphia’s largest full-service marketing and advertising agencies. You’re thinking, how? Easy…you’ll come with me (virtually, that is) because what’s the point of moving to the next level if you can’t take some people with you. Remember that success is shared!

So, for the next four months, we’ll both become ad agency insiders. I will serve as your all-access pass, sharing quirky work stories, recapping lunch dates with advertising professionals, and giving you an overall better picture of what it is like to transition into a professional career in advertising and marketing. As we venture together, please leave comments or questions that you have for the pros.

So, come with me behind the velvet rope of the advertising industry.

Your fellow Thinker,

Malaika

The Philadelphia AMA’s 6th Annual Super Bowl Smackdown was once again a great success this year. Various PAMA members, board members as well as many students from across the Greater Philadelphia area attended the event at Dave and Buster’s on Tuesday, February 5th. This year’s host was Vai Sikahema, the sports director/anchor for NBC 10 News at 4, 5, 6 and 11pm. The four panelists of this year’s Super Bowl Smackdown included:

• Marc Brownstein- The Brownstein Group, President
• James Gilbert- Campbell Soup Company, Global Advertising
• Patrick McKenna – DMi Partners, CEO
• Kevin Mayer- Subaru N.A., Director of Marketing Communications

This year’s panelists gave their expert insight and opinions on this year’s most talked about Super Bowl commercials. Audience members were also given the chance to voice their opinions on each Super Bowl presented at the Smackdown Event.

Check out the videos below of the commercials discussed at the event.

TU-AMA wants to hear what you think! Leave comments on what you thoughts of this year’s Super Bowl commercials!

Anheuser Busch

Pepsi

Audi R8

Coca Cola

Drug Dealer Testimonial

Bud Light

CareerBuilder.com

Sunsilk

FedEx

Bridgestone

It says on YouTube that this was added on March 8, 2006 and it has just started surfacing on television. Did McDonald’s just buy it off of these two brilliant youngsters? I hope so. The best commercial for anything ever made.