Whoa! Where in the world is elise wyatt?

New York. I know, I know. New York? You may ask, "I thought you were going to Chicago? Wait. Are you in Argentina still? I thought you were in Miami? Did you live in Minneapolis or something?" Me too, No, Miami Ad School OF Minneapolis, and Yes. So now that that's all out in the open, I should quickly update you. The Office Max pitch ended up going quite well. Our team won the pitch and received a generous high-five. I've recently been informed that both the Mall of America and Jimmy Kimmel client work our team put together received awards at Miami Ad School. I might even say that deserves a hug.

Now onto what's happening in the job-hunt. To keep it short, I went to Chicago for agency tours, but I didn't seem to have much luck. No one seemed to be hiring and I was having crying breakdowns almost every day. I came to New York to visit Megan and suddenly something happen. I had two interviews in one week. And I was invited to the Planning-ness conference here in New York.

I started writing people and people were writing back with other things to say than, "Sorry, but we're not hiring anyone at the moment, but keep looking." After much debate and changing of flights [twice] I have given myself until Nov. 12 to find something.

"Looking for a job is a full-time job," is an overused phrase that I want to punch in the throat every time I hear it. But. It's true. If I didn't dedicate the time I have been to looking for jobs and networking I wouldn't be having the luck I'm having. Plus, this city loves me and I love it back, which helps. I'm falling lustfully in love with this city, making it hard for me to want to look into other cities. Even though I should be more open.

I'm going to follow the leads I currently have and I'm building a pretty good network for only have been here less than three weeks.This process can't last too long because I can see myself getting to the point where the thoughts trail to, alright let's get this shit over with already.

But the good thing is that people are willing to help out. And I mean really help out. Like give leads and drop names, email, meet for coffee, beer, whatever. They want to help. Maybe it's because people who have gotten jobs in New York know how hard it really is, but also how awesome it is to live here.

I'm excited. I'm eager. I'm broke. So, I say let's do this!

I have to give a huge shout out to my befri, Megan. Without her I couldn't be where I am today. Literally. I'm sleeping on her couch for free.

As far as what happens if I don't have a job by November 12. Well, we'll address that issue when/if we get there.

-E.

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.

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! ;-)

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

Elise

WEEK 4. The drama gets hot.

note: thoughts and explaintions in this blog are opinions. And also may come typed out incoherently.

The director of the school gave her notice on Monday that Friday (tomorrow) will be her last day. Although, the reason for quitting wasn't based on a problem she had with the school, but really just the problem with the proximity of her house and the location of the school. But, it really couldn't have come at a worse time.

The Duck, Duck, Goose class (the one with all the presentations...yeah that one) in effect was stepped in by corporate (aka: head office honchos in Miami) and evaluated and "re-instructed." Allow me to explain. Apparently, Miami Ad School of Minneapolis isn't running the Account Planning bootcamp the way "things are done in the real world." Annnndddd because this phrase is so well liked by people in the claimed "pre-real world" this speech went over really well by the creatives and planners. Allow me to further clarify. Miami Ad School of Minneapolis Account Planning Bootcamp should make everyone loose sleep and work their asses off until September 10 at graduation, meaning, all work must be fully executed (example: f you have a TV commercial idea for a campaign you have to actually shoot the commercial) and presented in a professional manner. Says the man wearing black socks and shower sandals. I was also told that I can sleep when the break is over. Oh, and, also, not to forget, this is advertising. So, have fun.

Don't get my wrong. This is a great idea. And over-all it is going to create a better portfolio for me and the creatives. I'm all for better work. High five, go team! And I love the account planner I'll be working with as well as the copywriter and art director. In fact. We're a pretty bad ass team. I have no doubt that they can do the work. But, it's the middle of the quarter and course expectations are drastically changed? Oh, Miami Ad School. You're the bomb. diggity.

For the end of the course final presentation the school brings in a real client for us to produce work for. Our client this year is Office Max. Some suits are flying in tomorrow to give us a briefing on the situation and expectations for a campaign. The work that will come out of this will be presented to Office Max at a corporate level, and if they like it, they're able to use our ideas and work. Fo realz. That's what I'm talking about.

Our client presentation next Wednesday will be for General Motors. This was the most difficult brand situation yet. The assignment was to decide how General Motors could re-enter the market as a brand. This was an interesting client, given the shitter GM is in with it's customers and the general public. I'm not much of a "emotional" car owner, but I'm finding out that a lot of people are. Some people freaking love their cars. And they love their brand of cars. While my fascination for this could go on, you're already disinterested, and probably stopped reading after the first sentence.

On a final closing note. I'm alive. I haven't killed anyone, yet. And I've been cooking a lot. My housemates and I have officially famed another Thursday Night Dinner tradition. Another noteworthy solid move: I took myself to a $5 matinee to see Inception, which totally blew my mind with amazingness. And, no, I haven't seen Matrix to compare the awesomeness with, sorry.
Oh, and I cut my bangs with paper scissors.

-E.

creative nonsense

Writing a blog while being in this program is proven to be more challenging than originally thought. This week has only had two days, but not having weekends means that the week really started...hmmm...three weeks ago? That's right, the bootcamp is already three weeks in the making.
I managed to keep my hands of Sharpie until this week, too. Since, I'm not a creative, I technically should never need to touch one. But in our Switching Sides class we put on the full right brained hat and step into the creative side's shoes. I particularly enjoy that class, especially since I've decided that my role in advertising stems from the fact that I am Smart Good Idea's biggest fan. There's nothing more I enjoy seeing than a few creatives getting together and putting ideas together. I mean some people get all excited about economics, love for German philosophers, animated superheros, or even sci-fi novels. Me? Really great ideas.

Tomorrow we present our creative for the Hennepin Central Library. My excitement for this can be expressed through the out pour of sarcasm in every one of these letters I've just typed. I never want to advertise a library ever again. And clearly neither does anyone else at Miami Ad School.

It looks like the APU did get a voice heard. The program director sent out a more thorough itinerary of the program today. Which is great, because I wasn't feeling stressed enough without further enforcement of how quickly things are going to go. But it does look like the school will be closed for the three days before our portfolio books are due. So, isn't that wonderful news?

In non-Miami Ad School related news, yes this is possible, the weather is absolutely lovely. Why can't Texas get it together. Highs in the mid-80s and over-night lows in the mid-60s. But I have heard that 'warm' spring temperatures are 32, 33 degrees. Fahrenheit. what. the. what?!

We'll see about all that non-sense.

-E.

APU is for you.

So apparently the Account Planners at Miami Ad School have taken upon themselves to organize and elect a president for a "Account Planner Union." I myself have never been a huge fan of the organized union. But I do however support free speech. I suppose in the long run I'm too positive and passive (if that combination ever sounded so imperfect?) to really organize complaints about anything. Except maybe if they decided to stop selling cheese and wine. There's a cause to fight for.

I pulled the famous "I'm a single woman" move today and bought myself a beautiful bouquet of flowers today at the Minneapolis Farmers Market that is held every Thursday downtown. Also, a friend of mine who works at the zoo took me for a free look around at what Minneapolis animal kingdom has to offer. There was four inches of glass between me and a 300lb swimming grizzly bear. And I realized that I could spend hours watching turtles swim. They're just so cool looking.

Our first presentation was last night. Our team, appropriately team named Gryffindor, presented a campaign for Dunkin Donuts. After a few slides of superman and the statue of liberty and the creative giving their speech it was over. Quick and dirty. That's how I love presentations. especially when they are sin powerpoint. I'm feeling a little rough with presentations and getting back into the game. I just need to push myself into it.

So I'm currently too exhausted to constructively talk about anything else.

Goodnight.