Best Ad School??
Ad school's I've heard good things about are: Miami Ad School, Creative Circus, and VCU. As an avid globe-trotter, I'm leaning towards MAS since they offer the option of studying in up to 4 different international locations during the second year.
Has anybody here been to any of these schools? Any advice for a future copywriter? Thanks!
Has anybody here been to any of these schools? Any advice for a future copywriter? Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dallas on -
Hi, Rebekah.
I'm afraid I can only provide anecdotal evidence. Two years ago, I hired a copywriter out of Miami Ad School who really seemed ill-prepared for the world. He came to me with a good student book, a really "plugged-in" sense of the state of the business and stories of his stand-up comedy class. What he lacked was a strategic mindset and an empathetic voice in his writing. He couldn't "become the consumer" or "live the brand".
I realize these are traits that typically require some experience, so I'm not casting a harsh judgment on him. I just suppose I expected a bit more, given his pedigree. I had to let him go, which really bummed me out, because I had such high hopes for him.
On the other hand, The University of Texas' Creative Sequence has produced two art directors and one copywriter for my shop who are absolutely fantastic and who seem to have an incredible understanding of those qualities I mentioned above.
As for VCU -- I'm LinkedIn with a couple of professors up there, whom I consult for personal advice about this business and think they are among the smartest people in advertising. Virginia isn't Miami, though, if that makes any difference. Last year, I recommended an intern of mine to their program and to UT Creative. He chose UT.
Good luck
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Permalink Reply by Tiffany on -
You should also look into some of the more traditional great communications schools, such as the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University and Northwestern University. Having recently completed a degree at Syracuse, I can vouch for that school. It was a great education - tough coursework, but worth it. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Rebekah Crosby on -
Dallas, thanks so much for reminding me about the UT Design program. As a graduate from Baylor University, Texas holds a place in my heart, so I will definitely keep UT in mind! Just out of curiosity, do you know if the copywriter you hired from MAS had done the quarter-away option of studying overseas? Do you think that the opportunity to do so would actually give me valuable insight into consumer minds around the world?
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Permalink Reply by Dallas on
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I don't know if he did the program or not. It sure wouldn't hurt to do something like that, though. Perspective is a copywriter's most powerful ammunition.
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Permalink Reply by Buddy 'Friendly' Wachenheimer on
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VCU, because of my pal Rick Boyko's leadership.
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Permalink Reply by Harry Webber on
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Rebekah,
Advertising is in free-fall. Nothing you learn in any school will have anything to do with what you encounter in the real world. I visit at least 20 schools a year as a lecturer. The most comprehensive by far is the University of Illinois at Carbondale.
The portfolio schools are worthless. Most have no concept of the impact of new media on the landscape. The point is that it doesn't matter what school you go to as long as you degree. Nobody will hire you without one. The following applies no matter where you go.
Use your time at school to build a network of really smart friends who feel as strongly as you do about marketing. They will be invaluable once you get out. University is not about what you can learn. It's
all about what you can use. Computer time, lab time, reference libraries, mainframe time. The infrastructure is invaluable.
The next thing on your list should be the Alumnai. They are the real gold mine. Make the keeper of the list your new best friend. Track down every marketing major and MBA that graduated in the past ten years and make contact with them. That will be your employment network once you do your time.
Next work the intern office. You want to do as many internships as possible. Go for the largest companies you can find. Do your homework. Intern at agencies and Fortune 1000 companies. Use the same strategy at these companies you use at school. Work the facilities and resources and work the smart guys. Always be building your database. If you don't have ten new names to add every day you're not doing your job.
Last but not least are the Professors and Instructors. Find out which ones are published and which instructors work in the real world. If they don't do either, don't waste your time. Work every instructor or professor for at least Three professional referrals each semester. That is all they will be good for.
Join the IAPIA on AdGabber. We are beginning to engage in a very important dialog on the future of advertising that has taken almost a year to define.
Last but not least, don't think of yourself as a copywriter. That outdates you before you get started. These silos are breaking down all over our industry. Go to the AdAge Power 150. There are at least 600 blogs on advertising and marketing listed there. Visit as many of them as you can and subscribe to the ones that make sense for you. Visit my blog at http://MadisonAveNew.com for the Post-Advertising Era perspective. Advertising is a moving target. To succeed you have to keep up. Good luck.
Harry Webber
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Permalink Reply by David Sutula on -
Every once in a while you read something that not only moves you, but that you wish you had written. One thing I learned in J-school back in the day was that if you are going to straight up plagiarize, it better be worth the money - and it better be good. This advice satisfies both of those requirements for me.
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