Lawrence and Schiller is hosting the Sioux Fall event celebrating Mashable's Social Media Day on June 30th. For more details, visit http://www.meetup.com/Mashable/11180/. Join the event IN PERSON!
Professional Connection
Goodman promotes SD through public relations
Wanda Goodman, 2004 graduate, is the Media and
Public Relations Manager for the South Dakota Office of Tourism. Her degree in
Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in Advertising and a
minor in Business helped prepare her for this position requiring a diverse set
of skills.
Primary job duties – At the
end of the day, it’s the job of my team and I to drive consumer travel choices
to SD using public relations strategies. Our main objective is to develop
public relations strategy that coordinates with our office’s marketing efforts.
Other duties include writing press releases, pitching stories to journalists,
handling media inquiries/phone calls and hosting writers to SD on press trips.
My role also includes managing the SD Film Office. One person on my team
handles inquiries about SD’s filming locations, helps obtain film permits for
production companies, works with in-state crew and service businesses, and
helps the in-state film industry to grow.
Most challenging aspect of my job –
- Keeping
up with the ever-changing trends in communication and figuring out which
of them are necessary and which are not.
- Finding
the most effective way to communicate with each of our audiences (staff,
the public, the media, board members, the SD visitor industry).
Favorite quote – Do or
do not. There is no try. – Yoda
Favorite TV show – I’m
completely and hopelessly addicted to Lost.
Most important class I took in college and
why – Campaigns; it’s the closest thing to real-world experience you can
get from a college class. It taught me the importance of an integrated
campaign, and how imperative it is that all elements of a campaign work
together.
Last book read – The
Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. I loved it, and would recommend it to anyone.
I think students should know – Employers are very impressed when you do your research. I once interviewed a
potential intern that knew about our 2010 Initiative goals program. This isn’t
something we publicize very much, so I knew he did a lot of digging to find it.
Because of this and some other impressive qualities, I ended up hiring him.
Links:
The South Dakota Office of Tourism: www.TravelSD.com or www.MediaSD.com
SD Tourism on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SDTourism
SD Tourism on Twitter: @travelsd
Wanda Goodman at LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wandagoodman
Discover the creative part of yourself.
Fabulous. Fun. Quirky. Original.
That describes the alumni
work featured in this blog post. Creativity and innovation are in demand in
today’s job market. But that’s not why you should discover and pursue your personal
passions. I’m inspired to pay a little more attention to my creative side by
these alums.
Painter Brandi Brooks moved to San Francisco shortly after graduating from SDSU. She works as the Director of Marketing at the American Academy of Ophthalmology by day and paints in the evening. You need to visit Brandi’s web site to study her work. She has been featured in numerous juried shows in the San Francisco, CA, and Jackson Hole, WY. Brandi says the painting to the left titled, "The Yard’s Full of Yaks 2.0," was inspired by rock cairns she saw on a trip to TIbet. Her online gallery includes mostly oil paintings, but she has recently expanded into jewelry.
Ariela Bonen started her company, RBK Creations, while
looking for work in the Dallas area a few years ago. With the true spirit of an
entrepreneur, she and her mother, Brenda, opened a shop on Etsy where you can
check out her original bouquets, boutonnieres, and other button inspired work. Her most recent work is featured at flickr.
Quite a few bloggers have discovered RBK Creations recently. These posts can be found under Ariela's profile link at Esty. The photo to the right is from Ariela's photoshoot by Rockstar Photography. With a full-time job, she spends evenings creating designs for weddings, baby showers and other festive occasions.
SDAF Student Day 2009 is scheduled on Oct. 22.
Mark your calendar. This event is a must.
The SDAF Student Day is a great way to learn about the
profession and map out your career path. You won’t want to miss this year’s
event on October 22, 2009. It’s a favorite of students each year and receives
high marks for providing a lot of one-on-one time with industry professionals working
in all areas of advertising, including creative, media, research, account
management, new media and sales. Students who have attended past years say it’s
essential for those entering this profession.
Students are also INVITED and WELCOME to attend monthly South Dakota Ad Fed meetings. Club members look forward to talking with you about the industry and your goals. Meetings are a chance to network and learn about the industry through national speakers.
Check out the SDAF web site for information on the 2009 Student Day, Scholarship Opportunities and the SDAF Student Addy Awards. Also join the South Dakota Advertising Federation on Facebook to get to know the club a little better and view pictures of last year's student day.
Alumna and owner of Copper Ink Design
Renee Halgerson
Job title: Marketing Specialist at SDN Communications and Graphic Designer for my own business, Copper Ink Design.
Primary job duties: At SDN, I help to make sure the corporate brand sets us apart and is on target with our customers’ expectations. I also get to create brochures, design logos, layout the newsletter, organize big events, attend trade shows, and help plan the marketing strategy for the year. I started Copper Ink in 2006, and help small businesses establish their branding through graphic design and marketing strategies.
Year graduated: May 2005 (Journalism Major with Graphic Design, Marketing, and Spanish Minors)
Internship while in college: Daktronics Commercial Marketing
Other industry activites: AIGA board member, SDSU Staters board member, member of SDAF, volunteer for Junior Achievement, member of Toastmasters, and helped start a monthly professional development book club in Sioux Falls.
Favorite quote: “You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.” ~Harvey Firestone
Favorite movies: The Shawshank Redemption, The Fugitive, A Few Good Men
Favorite ad campaign and why: The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. I think that campaign has so much depth. It not only sells the product, but supports the “The Dove Self-Esteem Fund” and conducts workshops for girls. In a country obsessed with looks, weight and vanity, this campaign reminds women that real beauty starts from within.
What no one knows: As a kid, I loved the Ninja Turtles and MacGyver.
I like to: Travel. I’ve been to 10 foreign countries so far and hope to visit all (new) 7 Wonders of the World some day. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
Advice: Do as much as you can to be involved. Volunteer for an organization you are passionate about and make lifelong contacts along the way. Networking at events will be much easier when you are in involved with the business community.
I think students should know that: You are so fortunate to have outstanding instructors in the SDSU Journalism Department. Don’t take them for granted—learn from them, challenge yourself, and take advantage of opportunities they offer you. Your teachers can make great references when you are looking for that first job.
Links: SDN Communications, Copper Ink Design, AIGA South Dakota, Renee's LinkedIn Profile
Grad Student offers insight to Ad students...
Jerry Smith
Job title and company work for: Student, University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Science in Marketing Research. Intern, DMS Research (Online sample company).
Primary job duties: Show up to class, study and participate in class discussion! Currently my courses are Marketing Information Management, Qualitative Research, Marketing Research Seminar, and Managerial Accounting (ugh). I am halfway through the 39 credit program. The courses are either focused on numbers (stats) or discussion (marketing problems).
Year graduated: Spring 2007
Internship while in college: Daktronics, Keyframe marketing department.
Other industry activities: Currently I am the president of the UTA Marketing Research Graduate Student Association. We spend a lot of time here just trying to get face time with area professionals. Networking is key in the business and can get you a long way.
Favorite part of my job: Interacting with other students and co-workers who share the same passion for marketing research. Not many people accidentally stumble into the industry, so you know that people are willing to share knowledge and innovate. It’s always changing and companies are realizing that in order to succeed, they need to depend on research more and more. There is a high demand for researchers.
Favorite movie: Breaking Away.
Favorite ad campaign and why: Sonic Drive-in. It just makes me laugh out loud every time I see it for some reason.
Favorite class at college: Online wellness.
Most important class I took in college and why: Campaigns (MCOM 442). You realize the importance of working with others and meeting deadlines on your own without a professor always looking over your shoulder.
Interests: Spending time with my wife, Megan, exploring Dallas, and racing my bike.
Advice: Get as much face time with industry people as possible. Talk to them about your classes, what you’re studying, what you enjoy, projects, etc. They will remember you. Networking can really take you a long way. Figure out what you are interested in. When you sound confident it can really impress potential employers.
I think students should know that: Graduate school isn’t as scary as it sounds (at least it sounded scary to me). Once you get involved, you realize that everyone else has similar goals to you and is in the same situation. The professors use a lot of in-class discussion instead of lecturing, so the students are actually forming most classes and you have a lot of freedom.
Resume advice: Don’t try too hard. Just lay out what experience you have and what your goals are.
Links:
LinkedIn address:
