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 … More Guest Speaker Recap: Jay Newell and Washington Media Scholars

By: Malayna Alvarez, Blog & Communications Director Welcome back, Ad Club! New year, new campaigns, and one very large elephant in the room.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has crept up on our screens. Those TikToks you watched last night? Most were probably created with AI in some way. And unfortunately, this technology has begun to plague … More The AI Elephant in the Room: Are We Heading Toward Ads Made Entirely by Machines?

By: Elena Yanef We recently had the chance to tour Yellow Lime Creative in Holland, Michigan, and it honestly felt more like stepping into a creative space than a traditional office. From the moment we walked in, everything was bright, colorful, and full of personality, definitely not your typical workspace. What stood out most was … More A Look Into Agency Life: Yellow Lime Creative Agency Tour

By: Amelia Wolfe As people try to save money but still keep up with trends, dupe culture has become a big part of how we shop. Social media and online stores make it really easy to find cheaper versions of popular products. It’s not just about price either. It’s about whether the cheaper option feels … More The Rise of Dupe Culture

By: Leah Pawlowski Every year on April 1st, brands get a rare opportunity to do something they normally can’t: lie. Well… kind of. April Fools’ Day has become a playground for advertisers, a day where creativity, humor, and unpredictability take center stage. Instead of polished campaigns focused on conversions and ROI, brands lean into absurdity, … More April Fools’ Day: When Advertising Gets to Break the Rules (and Why It Works)

By: Dominic Grapentien As students, we have learned that advertisements use various emotions to capture their target audience’s attention. One emotion that consistently stands out is humor. Whether the advertisement is on social media, print, or video, humor has the ability to stick in buyers’ minds because it creates a positive feeling. Especially in today’s … More Why Humor Works in Advertising

By: Chloe Mills ​Spring break is one of college life’s most anticipated experiences, filled with sunny beaches, travel with friends, and unforgettable parties. Each year, ads on social media and travel sites showcase packed beaches and luxury resorts, promoting the “perfect” vacation. Driving these campaigns is a powerful strategy: FOMO-the fear of missing out. With … More Spring Break Marketing: Why FOMO is the Ultimate Advertising Strategy

By: Bella Bonifazi Rejected by his mother and bullied by peers, Punch, the baby Macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, became a global sensation after videos of him seeking comfort in a stuffed orangutan went viral. Though the zoo assured viewers and visitors alike that this display of rejection is a completely normal … More From Simple Product to Cultural Artifact: How a Baby Monkey Caused a Global Brand Moment for IKEA

By: Jasmine Daly Valentine’s Day isn’t just for candy hearts and roses—it’s also a big moment for brands to show off their creative side. For advertisers, it’s basically the Super Bowl of emotional storytelling. Some companies go sweet, some go funny, and some totally flip expectations. Either way, the best Valentine’s campaigns stick with us … More Love at First Ad: 5 Valentine’s Campaigns That Won Our Hearts

By: Hannah Johnson The Advertising Club at Grand Valley State University recently had the opportunity to tour Steelcase’s global headquarters in Kentwood, Michigan, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how brand communication comes to life within a world-renowned organization. While Steelcase is widely recognized as a global leader in workplace furniture and space design, our visit … More Steelcase Agency Tour Recap