Ad club takes on the Big Apple

The Texas State Ad Club recently made a monumental trip to NYC to explore prestigious advertising agencies, experience city life and enjoy an unending buffet of street food. Junior and VP of Programs Kristopher Garza organized the trip for 32 to officers and members that took place Jan. 7-11. Students toured advertising agencies McGarryBowen, Droga5, Y&R, Poke, Deutsch, Inc. and McCann. They also visited Tumblr and The New York Times. 

Students were given presentations at these venues on the respective company cultures, big clients and creative executions. The hosts also advised how to stand out from the applicant crowd, build a creative portfolio and wow your future bosses. The most exciting part for many students was viewing some of the creative executions and exploring each agency’s unique culture. 

The Ad Club officers also enjoyed going to dinner with two Texas State Alumni, Michael Baum and Diana Ovalle, while in New York. Diana is Business Coordinator at Ad-ID of 4A’s and previously worked as an Assistant Account Executive at Deutsch. Michael works at Cline Davis & Mann, an agency specializing in healthcare brands. 

Diana and Michael had nothing but wonderful things to say about Texas State. They reminisced about the “good ol’ days” of being in Ad Club and competing on the AAF team here a few years ago. Diana and Michael eagerly shared their contact information and connected on social media. They plan to start a formalized alumni group for Texas State graduate students who start their careers in New York City. 

Students also heard about their jobs in the Big Apple from alumni Maira Garcia and Monica Apodaca. 

When students weren’t networking with New York’s finest ad professionals, they ventured out into the city making music videos in Times Square, walking around Central Park, viewing the city from the Empire State Building, admiring famous art at The Met and MOMA and spending way too much money at multi-floor department stores. Exhausted and sore, the Ad Club safely returned home with empty pockets, new connections, bigger dreams and lifelong memories. They can’t wait to see where they go next year!