Second Block Edition: Tales from Miami Ad School Account Planning Bootcamp. Location: Minneapolis, MN.

8.30.2010

WEEK 9. HELL HATH NO FURY ON AD SCHOOL

It's all winding down. Or more, gliding down on a steep mountain side. I've had to set my Steromood to things like "soft" and "calm" and "breathe in deep" just so that I can feel some sense of balance and quiet.
I'm stressed. But [not] out of control. I haven't had to break down and start crying in the shower, at least not yet.
Office Max rough presentations are Wednesday with our instructors, with the real one to follow a week from that date. The school is closed for four days this weekend, it's apparently a holiday for the rest of the individuals in this country. So, instead of heading out to the Minnesota State Fair or basking in the 70 degree weather this weekend, I'll be sitting at a cafe in front of my computer. How exciting!
The reality is, I'm not sure if I'm more freaked out at the pressure to finish this f*ing portfolio or to look for a real job. I suppose the motions will be followed through regardless.

So my life until September 9th at 12pm will be my portfolio and the Office Max presentation. Any further concerns should be directed to my cell phone.

-E.




8.20.2010

WEEK 7: Presentation throw-down

It's Friday night and I'm sitting in bed watching Anchorman and eating homemade peanut butter cookies. Life and times in Miami Ad School Minneapolis are getting tough. Clearly, since you haven't read a peep from me in over 10 days.

Things are going well. I'm not too stressed, just busy. Really busy. My planner partner and I are whippin' through our clients. Considering all I do six days a week is eat, breath and think school I just can't bring myself to continue a blog writing about it, too. And since I don't have much of a personal life these days, there really isn't much to talk about, is there?

I guess that I could share that things are coming together for my portfolio. In our portfolio class we had to choose a theme. My theme is giraffes. Yes, I know, big surprise, it's about animals. The connection I made between giraffes and account planning is quite clever, if I do say so myself. Lately, I'm only willing to spend my money on food and booze, so I clearly I won't be paying anyone to design the layout for my book. Psh. There's nothing a few grid lines on InDesign and a little confidence can't do. I'm getting my alumi money's worth from this Adobe Creative Suite I paid an arm and leg for after undergrad.

For our book, we select three of the seven client case studies/presentation that we've done in the quarter. I'll be putting our strategy for Jimmy Kimmel Live, which we hit a home run with in our social media campaign we presented. Possibly this next weeks client Patron (hey-oh!) or this past week's client Mall of America (hey-ho!). We're already get head nods for our final client I'd like to say that Office Max will be going in there as well. So, this should give me a nice well-rounded portfolio. Of course, what I'm most excited about is the "about me" page that I'm putting in at the end. Penny and Spencer (my dogs) will be making guest appearances.

As we crawl into Week 8, I'm getting restless. I'm ready to live somewhere and have it feel more permanent. Since 2004, I haven't lived in one place consistently for more than a year. It's becoming exhausting. I'm even having dreams about vomiting. Whatever that means.

On a final serious note, since I am trying to be all serious today anyway. I would just like to say that I'm learning a lot. And that's an understatement. I'm learning about the kind of work ethic I have and what I expect from others. I'm also learning a lot about this career I want to go into, and good news people, I love it!

Signing out.
E

y saludos a Diego! ;-)

8.10.2010

holyyyy. Well, I'm alive. In case you were worried.

Elise