By: Malayna Alvarez, Blog & Communications Director
It’s a sunny day, and a beautiful week here at Grand Valley. The birds are chirping, the professors are handing out loads of homework (already), and Ad Club is making connections with the people who worked for Nickelodeon—you know, the channel that practically raised us. What fun! If you take one thing away from Ad Club, it should be this: the networking. From guest speakers to agency tours to networking events, we allow GVSU students to make connections in a fun, interactive environment.
The moment we walked through the door, Jay Newell took the opportunity to learn from each of us individually. He asked us who we were, what we were studying, and what experience we already had. Rather than starting his talk by having us learn from him, he learned from us. We appreciated his eagerness to learn and to teach. We also appreciated the advice he gave to us as students in the field.
“Don’t ask yourself what you want to do forever and ever. What do you want to do next?” – Jay Newell.
His down-to-earth approach was refreshing to hear, especially from a professional in our field. But that’s not all that’s interesting about this man.
Who is Jay Newell?
Like all advertising professionals, Jay Newell started just like us. He grew up with access to many free university resources, such as the library, labs, and more. Jay earned his Ph.D. in Mass Media at Michigan State University and has since worked as a professor at Iowa State University. He has 20 years of experience in network journalism, advertising, and media management; is nationally recognized for teaching innovations; has a background in quantitative media research; and believes in the power of ethical and free communication.
He also has extensive experience in the TV industry. Jay began working in this field when only about 25% of households owned cable television. Working with Nickelodeon, CNN, CNN National, and TNT, he built a reputation for brand management. He helped shape the show’s tone, determined what the graphics should look like, and more. It was interesting to hear him talk about his experience. He also discussed how he’s helped his students gain experience.
Washington Media Scholars
Washington Media Scholars is a program and competition that brings students into the niche business of political advertising. These students can gain experience, connections, and even scholarships through this program. Jay, a part of this organization, even helps coach some of his students who have entered the competition. To enter, you (or your partner if you enter as a duo) must submit a two-page paper in the qualifications round. They want you to ask yourself these questions: What is a small communications problem? And how could we solve it?
There’s a semi-final round; if you’re one of the top six who qualify, you’ll end up in the final round and in Washington, DC. You’ll present your case to a group of professionals as the final requirement. Many have won scholarships, with many being worth $ 5,000. It’s a great opportunity, and if interested, you can email Jay Newell and ask him about Washington Media Scholars. His email is newelljj@iastate.edu.
Red 66 Agency Tour
Overall, we appreciated Jay’s openness to sharing learning opportunities and advice for our futures as professionals. Ad Club hopes to learn more from professionals like Jay Newell, especially by building connections with them.
Our next networking event will be September 18th at 11 am. We will be visiting Red 66 for an agency tour. Red 66 specializes in digital marketing, web design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and more. There will be food provided, so make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to learn from professionals in all aspects of business and advertising! We’ll see you there next Friday, Ad Club!
Because things get real, real fast. 