Advertising Students Receive National Recognition

Advertising students from the School of Mass Communications swept a number of awards at the American Advertising Federation’s 2007 Western Virginia Addy Awards in Roanoke earlier this month. The VCU students were recognized for their advertising work with four Gold, six Silver and one Judges-pick Addy Awards.

Assistant professor of Advertising Bridget Camden said she is proud of the accomplishments of her students.

“It is great seeing their long hours and hard work start to pay off for them,” she said. “Winning a student advertising award won’t get them a job, but it is great on the resume.”

All gold and silver-awarded entries moved on to the Third District Addy Awards to compete against student work from Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina in early April. Winning work from the district level goes to the national-level competition soon after that.

The prestigious judges-pick award in the student category went to advertising seniors Chip Stevens and Kyle Asay for their campaign for McCanns Oatmeal.

“There was a lot of good work submitted,” Stevens said. “(Our award) came as a surprise, but I’m very proud that we got it.”

The award-winning work originated as a class assignment in Camden’s senior-level Portfolio Development classes, MASC 450 and MASC 451. Camden encourages her students to enter work in competitions each semester.

Assistant professor Will Sims currently teaches sections of the portfolio classes and in the MATX PhD program.

“These students are demonstrating the kind of leadership that ranks them and VCU School of Mass Communications among the best in the nation,” he said.

Other competitions where VCU advertising students’ work has been recognized before include the annual New York One Show, annual Richmond show and publications in the prestigious CMYK magazine, which serves as a respected trend-setting publication in the industry on an international level.

For student-work samples, visit Camden's Web site.

VCU Brandcenter opens its doors

VCU’s nationally recognized graduate advertising school, the Brandcenter, formerly known as VCU Adcenter, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, March 6. Classes in the new facility started at the beginning of this semester.

A number of industry-leading professionals and board members, visited the new building to congratulate administration and students and give personal advice to upcoming graduates.

VCU President Eugene P. Trani said the Brandcenter faculty, staff and students deserve the celebration for their achievements and national recognition.

“The grand opening of the Brandcenter is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the success of VCU’s graduate advertising program as one of the best in the country,” he said.

During their introductions, professionals told students to work hard, believe in themselves and show passion for advertising on their path to success.

Nick Law, R/GA's chief creative officer for North America, focused on the three C’s that ensure success.

“Concept - you’ve got to be able to think; Craft - you’ve got to make; and the last one is Context – you’ve got to know where that stuff that you make lives in time and space and how to read people,” Law said.

Lori Erdos, vice president of advertising sales for USA Today told students to be proud of their knowledge and degrees when they interview for jobs.

“Have confidence when you go to an interview that you know what you are talking about. Because you really do,” she said. “Also (important are) passion and follow up. It’s not brain surgery, it’s really about commitment.”

Earl Cox, partner and director of strategic planning at The Martin Agency, encouraged students to stand up and show individuality.

“Always, always, always have an opinion,” said Cox, who also is adjunct professor at the Brandcenter. “The more provocative the opinion, the better. I would encourage you to develop a strong opinion about the future (of the advertising industry).”

Echoing Cox, Mike Hughes, president and chief creative officer at The Martin Agency, stressed the importance of networking.

“You sure have a chance here to get to know some professionals in the business who are awfully good people,” he said.

Enthusiasm and passion, many agreed, play an important part in the advertising business.

“You defining and understanding what it is that you love about it and why you want to do it and be part of it, will be critical to your opportunities for getting your first job,” said Jeff Steinhour, managing partner and director of content management at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, “and demonstrate some enthusiasm and passion.”

For detailed coverage of the grand opening of the Brandcenter, featuring videos and photos, visit http://ihaveanidea.org/live/.

Visit the Brandcenter's website.

Virginia Communications Hall of Fame to honor five new inductees in April

In 2008, the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame continues its tradition of excellence with the induction of five new members: Rick Boyko, director and professor at the VCU Brand Center; Peter Easter, chairman and director of public affairs for Easter Associates, Inc.; John Edwards, editor and publisher of The Smithfield Times; J. Malcolm "Jay" Pace, III, former editor and owner of the Herald-Progress; and Mark Raper, chairman and CEO of CRT/tanaka.

The Hall of Fame, established by VCU's School of Mass Communications in 1986, recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional achievement in the fields of print, broadcast, public relations, advertising and interactive media, including cable and the Internet. Inductees are nominated and selected by their peers.

These communications pros will be inducted during a ceremony on Thursday, April 17 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va. (more)

Creating sustainable economic growth in Ghana

Ever heard of the Millennium Challenge Corporation? It's an independent U.S. government agency established to reduce global poverty through sustainable economic growth. School of Mass Comm Professor Bonnie Davis has seen the fruits of this group's labor first-hand in Accra, Ghana.

Read her commentary, which appeared recently in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Capital News Service: Student Bylines

One of the advantages that VCU’s School of Mass Comm offers student journalists is the chance to work with real news stories, and have their work published in news outlets across the state.

Here are just a few examples of CNS student work in the media now. Check out links to just a few CNS reporter stories.

Four Mass Comm students receive Black History in the Making Awards

As part of Black History Month, the VCU Department of African American Studies sponsored the Black History in the Making Awards on Thursday, February 28. This year’s recipients from the School of Mass Communications are, (left to right): Adam Bush, Chamise Jones, Eric Larkin, Shana Bernabela and Charles Ayodele “Dele” Smith.

School of Mass Comm welcomes Academic Advisor Natasha Long

Before you log in to Banner to register for your fall 2008 classes, make sure you stay on the right academic track and take the classes you need to graduate when you plan to. Seeking out advising is critical to ensuring success.

To help you keep up with class processes and deadlines, in November the School of Mass Communications welcomed Academic Adviser Natasha Long. With duties ranging from advising to handling student paperwork, Long is a great student resource to keep in mind. She can assist with selecting and scheduling classes, discussing school procedures and regulations and declaring and/or changing Mass Comm sequence.

Long earned her B.A. in history with a minor in Spanish from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She started her advising career in student-athletic advising at VCU in 2002. She received her master’s of education from VCU in 2003. Long also worked with students at Longwood University before returning to VCU to assist Mass Comm pre-majors, majors and minors.

“I am extremely happy to be working for the School of Mass Communications,” Long said. “The faculty and staff are outstanding."

A student athlete herself, Long understands the delicate balance of time management and academics, an issue that many VCU students face.

Long also partners with the University Career Center to provide workshops to address petition issues facing Mass Comm students.

In addition to her extensive knowledge of the Mass Comm programs, Long can direct you to the right people at the university, making problem-solving one step shorter.

Long can be reached by e-mail at longnj@vcu.edu or by phone at (804) 827-3722.