The Future of the Ad World…From a Newbie’s perspective.

Disclaimer: Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. It’s going to be one crazy ride.

In the course of about three months I went from being a college senior living the controlled chaos that is the college life to having a full-time job as an advertising professional. Even though my professional career is still in its infancy stage, my passion for advertising started years ago; which is why I’d like to share my opinion on where this industry is headed and what we should be on the look out for.

Let’s start with social networking. Google is working on their own social networking site to compete against the hegemon that is Facebook. Their main goal, I believe and am sure most of you will agree, is to increase their already obscene advertising revenue. They not only have the resources and brain power to design a new breed of social networking site, but also the technology to leave most competitors behind. My guess is that within a few years online shoppers will be making a large amount of their purchases directly form social networking sites. Also, Google will continue to challenge Apple for world dominance and both companies will become key aspects of our every day life. Even more so than now.

Side note: Google’s 2010 Ad Revenue is almost at $13 billion. This number is well on track to surpass 2009’s $23 billions earned.

On to experiential advertising. The current boom of 3-D and mobile technologies, entrepreneurial spirit, abundance of professionals and diminished supply of jobs lends itself to be the perfect storm for non-traditional advertising. Pretty soon we won’t be seeing or hearing a company’s message but directly experiencing. Experiential marketing presents great opportunities for those companies who embrace change. For those who don’t the future might not be too kind. Ingenious advertising on 3-D video games. Any takers?

 -Juan Vasquez

As promised here is my second blog, many weeks overdue. Unfortunately, it is also my last. While I’m excited to begin my final semester at UF, I’m also sad to be leaving Benedict. You might be thinking I’m crazy, not jumping for joy to leave work and be a college student again. But being at BA has offered me a lot more than a paycheck.

First off, a summer of working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, has taught me about responsibility. I feel I have matured more these past few months than in the past few years.

In addition, I have discovered the career path I want to pursue after graduation. While advertising isn’t my major, I have signed up for a few classes this fall, and have gained invaluable experience in the past few months.

Lastly, I have learned that work can actually be fun! Some days were long and stressful, but more than often, I found myself enjoying time at the office. With so many entertaining people around, it’s hard not to have fun here. I even got a superhero persona! What gets better than that?

Though I know it sounds corny, this summer has changed me. I would not be the person I am today, had I not entered this office three and a half months ago. I am thankful to Michael, and the whole BA staff for all they have contributed to my great interning experience.

I’ll miss everyone, but I’ll be back to visit. You’d be nutty to think I’d miss the Biker Bash and Chili Cook-Off after the stories I’ve heard. I’m already working on what is sure to be the winning recipe for 2011!

-Kate Ellis (AKA Special K)

So who will be the next American Idol judges?

Do you care?

Here are a couple of names that are being mentioned as possible “Idol judges”, including J. Lo and Steven Tyler. Others in consideration include Justin Timberlake, Elton John and P. Diddy. Another article this week said that Harry Connick, Jr is being considered also.

Can you believe this next season will be the 10th Anniversary of American Idol?

Here are a couple of links to articles about American Idol from the past two days:

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/articles/2010/07/30/daily.4/#top

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=133081&nid=117158

Let me know who you would pick to be the next two American Idol Judges.

-Brenda Sidoti

Working in the creative industry, it’s important to try to maintain the creative state of mind. But at some point, all creatives will run into some sort of block. There are a plethora of methods out there that are promoted by college programs, other designers, personal leanings, etc. that aid in alleviating the above mentioned obstacle.

- Redundant tasks: Doodling with no intent to develop an overall image or driving with no set destination. Redundant tasks are said to activate the right side of the brain (the creative side).

- Reference materials: Seeking out inspiration via the web or diving back into design’s history. Even things like the CBS logo were based on works by Renee Magritte, so diving into where design has been can be incredibly inspirational. I like to hunt for design done in other countries like Germany or Japan to see what trends are being followed and how that lends itself to designs. I also use album artwork from countless bands as inspiration to reignite that fire.

- Personal leanings: For me, personally, it’s that one Green Lantern book that strikes me with that bolt of creative lightning (presently, it’s the ‘Blackest Night’ story arc) or that one ‘cyber-punk’ offering by William Gibson (Neuromancer or Pattern Recognition). Or experimental rock. Bands like Thrice, Circa Survive, The Receiving End of Sirens, and The Dear Hunter I find it incredibly inspirational as different themes and genres are merged together. Something about how that’s achieved sonically, helps me strive to achieve it visually. Also thought provoking films (movies done by Darren Aronofsky, for example).

For other people I’m sure other methods are just as effective. Complex mathematics may be your inspirational trigger or the search for those mysterious Higgs Boson particles. Regardless of the method, creative block can be conquered, if not completely eradicated.

Listed below you’ll find some links to sites I wander through to find inspiration:

http://abduzeedo.com/

http://www.thedieline.com/

http://www.pdf-mags.com/

Adam Bunke – Production Artist

Writing, or technically typing, this blog was much more difficult than I anticipated. Already being two months into my internship, it’s almost impossible to figure out where to begin…

 I don’t remember every detail of my first day interning, but I do know I was nervous. However, that feeling quickly disappeared as everyone in the office made me feel welcome. Within a few short days, I felt right at home in the agency.

 As the days and weeks progressed, so did my learning. While I didn’t know what to expect this summer, I certainly didn’t anticipate acquiring all the knowledge and responsibility that I have. Within my first week, Darin had me analyzing analytics, processing job orders and creating spreadsheets. This was clearly not going to be a filing and copying job!

 After a few weeks, I transitioned from my bright yellow, yet somewhat lonely office, to the energetic honkfish office. Social media is a new, and always changing, profession. I’m thankful I have Braden and Anthony to teach, and entertain, me. I think I think I burn as many calories laughing every day as I would working out.

 While these weeks have been fun, they’ve also been a lot of work. I’ve learned more than I ever desired to about pumps, can name multiple saltwater taffy flavors by sight, and know more Oyster Pub trivia than most people ever will.

 Okay, I guess that doesn’t sound TOO bad. But here at Benedict, you can never predict what next week, or maybe the next hour, will bring!

 Check back in week (or seven weeks with my track record) and find out!

Not only do I get to work with wonderful, talented individuals, I also get to work with vendors who produce some really cool stuff. Modernistic is one of those vendors.  Working together producing window clings, menu footers, menu panels and sneeze guards for Subway and other in-store displays and signage for clients, they really have a broad range of capabilities. Modernistic has also added Shape3D® Digital Projection Signage to their diverse portfolio of capabilities. This type of signage is a digital projection signage system that uses a screen to capture all available projected light.  The screens can be custom cut into any shape and size and can be applied to windows, be free-standing, placed on a counter top or hanging from the ceiling. Using this system for a display, Modernistic won the prestigious 2009 Digital Signage Display of the year award from POPAI – Global Association for Marketing at Retail.

It truly amazes me what people can imagine and what they bring to life.  I can’t wait to see what is next on the horizon for Modernistic, and all the other companies that I come across.  I am really lucky having such a great job!

-Christine Byelick