DEC 2016 NEWSLETTER
THANKS AAF FOR AN AWESOME FALL SEMESTER
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
Strategy is always tricky because no two campaigns can ever be the same. It’s never the same process and you never really know if you’re on the right track. That being said, we’re finally at a place where there’s a constant flow of good ideas and we’re asking the right questions, and the strategy finally gives us an “Ah-ha” moment. It’s been absolutely amazing working with the team feeding off of each other’s energy and ideas.
PARICHAY SWARUP | NSAC STRATEGY DIRECTOR
PHOTO BY BLACK STUDENT FOR REVOLUTION Black Students for Revolution is very excited to work with AAF to publicize our efforts to create social change in our campus community. We are working on several campaigns this year such as the Demands for a Transformed University and #TuitionMustFall, and we are looking forward to receiving help with generating social media, infographics and flyers. We need a lot of help in terms of getting the word out about what our demands are, showing how we plan to implement them and engaging students so that they want to get involved. The expertise that members of AAF have in publicity will be the greatest asset to us when generating social media campaigns, putting on events and being accessible to as many students on campus as possible. As an organization, we are ecstatic that AAF will be able to assist in this effort.
@BSFRUIUC
ZILA RENFRO | CO-LEAD ORGANIZER OF BLACK STUDENTS FOR REVOLUTION AT UIUC
AAF UPDATES
Social Media more than a Digital Connection
Create. Post. Analyze. Repeat. From my experience, it seems like that’s the formula for social media in advertising and marketing. It’s an exciting realm to be in. Engagement is an essential element for social media marketing, which helps differentiate what makes it simply “good” apart from what makes it awesome. Think of social media as advertising itself. You need to put yourself in the consumer’s mindset. Consumers use social media to feel connected to the world and people around them. They build communities. In advertising, social media needs to build communities as well. It’s one of the largest doors a brand has to invite their customers into their home. It’s a way to show consumers what they’re truly about.
Besides, the overall “social” aspect, social media needs to be differentiated and analyzed. You wouldn’t post the exact same things on Twitter as you would on Instagram, right? There is an increasing number of brands finding new ways to use each social media platform’s unique features to reach and engage their audience. There are a lot of analytics that go behind every post to determine success, failure and future trends. New technologies, like 360 and VR, are also making their way into social media to engage users in new ways! Social media is an exciting field. It’s fun but difficult to master. Just remember the addition to the formula that really makes the difference:
Create. Post. Engage. Analyze. Repeat.
ARMANDO SANCHEZ-MONSIVAIS | HEAD OF AAF SOCIAL MEDIA
MOST Promising multicultural students Funny story - I was not planning on graduating this May. Technically I’m only a junior at UIUC. However, at the beginning of the semester after classes had already started, I decided to cram my fourth year into my third to graduate in the spring. I had to quickly adjust to the new idea of applying for jobs this upcoming season, rather than in a year from now. This anxiety was beginning to set in right around the same time I learned about MPMS. I really do not think that the news that I had been chosen as 1 of the 3 Most Promising Multicultural Students from U of I could have come at a better time. In the midst of taking 21 hours and juggling a seemingly never ending list of extracurricular activities, I suddenly felt reassured to start the process of looking for a job in the advertising industry after such a short college experience thus far. I cannot express how extremely grateful I feel to have been awarded such an honor. I cannot wait to go to New York and learn even more about the industry while networking with such admirable students and professionals across the country. I thank AAF immensely for presenting such an amazing opportunity.
JAMISON MCDERMOTT | VP OF MIDNIGHT OIL
AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Student award has taught me two things: 1. I’ve come a long way since getting into advertising two years ago. 2. The significance of my identities.
Being recognized as one of the Most Promising Multicultural Students (MPMS) by AAF is a huge honor. I’ve been apart of AAF Illinois since my freshman year and was able to continuously grow in this organization, so it’s great seeing everything come full circle. The best part about getting MPMS is getting to go to New York City in February. I’m excited for the networking opportunities and meeting the other students. I also get to spend my 22nd birthday during my week in NYC will be exciting. The application process was definitely stressful, but having Steve Hall and my fellow MPMS applicants to help me along the way was a huge support. I actually enjoyed writing the essays because I was able to express my passion for diversity in advertising and share my unique voice. There was one point where I was worried I wouldn’t get MPMS because it’s just so competitive. It definitely makes it more amazing to see all my hard work, my passion for advertising, and desire to make an impact get recognized.
JALILAH SULTAN | EVP CULTURE, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
The latter is what has been on my mind ever since I was picked as one of the top 50 multicultural students in the nation. It’s undeniable that we’ve made significant strides these past few years in terms of social change and acceptance. Advertising and the media have played huge roles in that process. Though we still have ways to go, we’re seeing things that would have been unheard about five years ago. Diversity has become more of a priority in this industry, and it’s no longer uncommon for marginalized groups to be represented as central elements of campaigns. As part of the award, I’ll be sent to New York in February for a weeklong conference with the other members of the 2017 MPMS class. I’m unbelievably excited to get the chance to meet other multicultural students who are about to go into the industry and contribute to making the world a better place. Our generation of advertisers is directly responsible for keeping this process of increased acceptance and inclusion going. I’m ready to use my background and experiences to do just that.
ALEX STUDER | PRESIDENT
#AAFGIVEsTHANKS A small team of energetic and passionate AAF members collaborated on a Thanksgiving themed campaign for the organization. They used guerrilla marketing, social media and video to show how and what AAF members are thankful for within the organization and their life.
DANIEL STILLMAN | VP OF ADBUZZ
We were thrilled to invite Jeff Epstein, Executive Director and Founder of the Chicago Portfolio School, to our November General Meeting this semester. From his years of experience as a Copywriter and Creative Director, Jeff shared stories and advice to young advertising hopefuls. Jeff’s best friends are a pad of paper and a pen: these two tools (and not the computer) are the key to creating ideas. He also encouraged AAF to not give up: “you have to make 99 bad ads to finally make one good one.”
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