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2017 Career Panel Recap

Erin Collins

Guest post by Briana Maggio, president, Canisius College Advertising Club; Canisius College ’17

On April 19, 2017, a panel crafted of AAF members arrived at Canisius College with two sheet pizzas and a variety of insightful information. Students beyond the Canisius community gathered in the audience to listen to relevant information about their transition into the workforce.

AAF President Scott Bartels of HSBC Bank led the conversation. The panel offered expertise from Tim Bouchard, co-creator of Luminus; April Brown, art director at Farm; Erin Haskell, marketing manager at Great Lakes Orthodontics; and Kyle Rogers, corporate relations manager at BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.  

Topics the panel discussed included:

  • Finding your first career
  • Things you wish you did differently when entering the workforce
  • The importance of networking
  • A typical day in your position
  • Tips for job searching
  • The most important piece of advice to share with college students

Members of the panel helped to ease the anxieties of the soon-to-be-graduates as they shared their startup stories. Panel members included that internships played a large role in landing their full-time positions post-graduation, and so did the people they know. Some members of the panel left the country for work, while others bounced around to different companies and mixed in some freelance opportunities through their personal connections. They worked for some unpleasant people along the way, but those baby steps are what shaped them into who they are in the professional world today.

A general consensus among the panel members was that after you land your first job, it’s normal to realize it’s not your dream job. Despite your dream, it is in a young business professional’s best interest to stay relevant and to focus on the learning aspect of the position to grow within the field. Proficiency, professionalism, and talent can boost you towards your professional goals. The marketing and advertising fields are constantly evolving, so make your presence by growing with them.

Juniors and seniors in attendance learned that networking is just as uncomfortable of an approach for the business professional as it is for the student, and yet just as crucial for future success. It is important to do your homework, both for the job you’re reaching for and the contact you are trying to develop. You can have a “bullet-proof” on-brand resume and cover letter, but so could the individual you’re competing with for the job. Hiring in agencies is very strategic, so students can provide themselves with the upper hand by networking prior to the interview through AAF hosted events and informational interviews.

The career panel offered new considerations as well as influential suggestions for students embarking on the application process this spring. The conclusion of the event provided a question and answer segment, which allowed students to share topics that have been on their minds during this transition. The information from the career panel was very appreciated, and surely an influence to college students. Canisius College looks forward to developing a relationship with AAF Buffalo and believes in the success it can bring to the students.

A big thank you on behalf of Canisius Advertising Club to all that attended and to all that presented to make this a valuable first event hosted at Canisius College!

Blog Events Stuff

Designing for Sports

Erin Collins
“Sports fans are the most passionate brand loyalists on earth.”

In his opening statement at Big Ditch Brewing on April 11, Todd Radom not only spoke to his audiences nationwide, but to his own identity – a loyal fan who grew up to design the logos of the teams he always loved.

Everyone’s heard that kitschy phrase – “love what you do; do what you love.” While that’s surely what we all aim to get to, let’s be honest – work is work, generally speaking. Todd Radom, on the other hand, might be part of the 1% who landed his ultimate dream job: designing logos for every team in Major League Baseball, along with numerous projects for the NBA, NFL, and other major league sports.

Radom’s presentation spanned all of his self-acclaimed roles: designer, writer, researcher, illustrator, and fan. Scrolling through pictures of the first decorated football helmets created for the rise of televised games, his own early sketches (work he drew by hand before Adobe changed the lives of designers everywhere), and various logos he’s created (including his lifetime accomplishment, Super Bowl XXXVIII), Radom spoke of the numerous design trends he’s seen come and go in a $14+ billion industry – including the Buffalo Sabres’ own blue and gold to red and black to blue and gold changeup throughout the years.

Referring to a sentiment local fans know all too well, Radom said he measures the creative variation and subsequent acceptance of a new logo based on the status of a sports team – if they’re doing well, don’t kill a good thing; if they’re down, take a leap and revamp while people are looking for something to hold on to. He went on summarize the fundamental inspirations behind his logos: locations, experiences, fan bases, communities, numbers, and traditions. In one word, the “celebration” that is watching your favorite sports team play.

Aside from showing a jaw-dropping portfolio, Todd Radom’s presentation stirred a familiar affection in many: the unique sense of accomplishment that comes with successfully capturing the very essence of something so beloved, in one design. He also discussed a variety of design elements – from the future of team logos at the center of longstanding controversy, to how designers must think differently about how the identities of a brand are perceived in their most distilled, purest form as the world around us continues to change with overwhelming amounts of content being consumed daily.

More than a great learning experience, ‘Design For Sports’ showcased the blending of art and business that is intrinsic to the advertising industry which we love so much.

The 2016-17 Spotlight Speaker Series wraps up May 9 with “Nightmare Marketing: How to Create Great Content for “Boring,” Complex and Undifferentiated Products.”

 

Blog Events Students

2017 Portfolio Review Recap

Erin Collins

Guest post by Noah Herman, Daemen College ’18

On Saturday, April 1, Daemen College hosted AAF Buffalo’s annual Portfolio Review. Even though the event fell on April Fool’s Day, students gained real, insightful advice from graphic designers, art directors, professors, freelancers, and other types of visual professionals working in Buffalo’s advertising community. Those communication students who attended this year created just as much variety as their professional counterparts, with participation coming from Villa Maria, Buffalo State, UB, and Daemen College.

 

Almost like design speed-dating, students at the review had a timed one-on-one slot with each professional to go over the student’s portfolio and provide critiques when necessary. Students who also attended the AAF’s Portfolio Seminar, hosted at Daemen College in the fall, would’ve found the Portfolio Review to be the perfect complement to the previous event. Further cementing the advice given at the seminar, students were able to put to practice much of what they learned without the added stress of a “real-world” job interview scenario.

Some advice that crossed over from the Portfolio Seminar to the Review included:

  • The importance of walking the reviewer through the process behind your work.
  • Using the correct method to display your work (physical or digital).
  • Including a truly concise and refined collection of work in your portfolio.
  • The importance of including mock-ups that best suit the product you’re displaying to give the reviewer a better concept of your work.

Students presented their work from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with a brief break for lunch, which provided a unique opportunity to make connections with professionals or other students. At the end of the review, professionals were asked to vote on the most effective portfolios for scholarships available to students continuing their education next fall.

The students that professionals felt were successful in this regard included:

1st Place: Noah Herman, Daemen College

2nd Place: Brooke Murgia, Buffalo State

3rd Place: Travis Springer, Villa Maria College

Honorable Mention: Joseph Petromicca, Daemen College

Congratulations to the scholarship winners and all those who worked hard preparing and presenting. Entering the job market can be a scary process for any industry, let alone such a competitive field. So, a big thank you goes out to the professionals who donated a large portion of their free time to provide useful feedback and advice to make the process a whole lot smoother!

To see Noah’s winning portfolio, head over to noahherman.com. 

Advice Blog Board Social Media Stuff

Board Member Spotlight: Dan Nesselbush

Erin Collins

From crafting all those tongue-in-cheek emails and social media posts to shooting video and photos at our events, AAF Buffalo’s secretary is a true jack of all trades. Read on to learn about the man, the myth, the guy who bedazzled his own shirt for this year’s American Advertising Awards: Dan Nesselbush.

 

Let’s hear about your day job.

Where do you work, and what does your role entail?

I work in downtown Buffalo for CBRE|Buffalo, an affiliate of a global commercial real estate firm as the marketing manager. I support an office of a dozen brokers by executing all of their marketing needs – press releases, website management, writing copy, photographing properties, deploying email and direct mail campaigns, and more – it’s truly an all-encompassing position when you work in a small office.

What advice do you have to give to emerging talent in your field?

Take initiative and never stop learning. A lot of the day-to-day tasks I work on are things I never learned in college. Actively reading and trying new things is not only necessary to keep a fresh perspective but it’s also sometimes the only way to keep up. Upper management won’t always spoon-feed professional development opportunities to you.

Tell us about organizations/charities that you’re passionate about.

AAF Buffalo has occupied a lot of my time the past few years as a member of the executive board so that’s obviously something I’m passionate about. Having a long history with the area, I’ve put most of my effort into seeing that AAF Buffalo continues to strengthen its stance as a place where anyone interested in a career in marketing communications can go to further their career. I’m a firm believer that people with the tools and support that an organization like this can provide is the ultimate way to contribute to a growing economy that provides our neighbors with the best opportunity to realize success.

What was your first job?

My first job out of college was as sports producer at WKBW-TV. I had the pleasure of getting a paycheck covering some of my favorite teams while getting to work alongside some of the best in the broadcast business under the tutelage of John Murphy and Jeff Russo. My true first job was in high school, slinging popcorn behind the concession stand at a movie theater. A winning combination of minimum wage, free movie tickets, and a sweet maroon vest.

When you’re not working, how do you spend your time (hobbies, side projects, etc.)?

In my free time I’ve taken on photography as a hobby/side project. Combining my love for visual communication and my journalism experience I started freelancing as a photojournalist for some local publications the last few years, including regular assignments for the Bee Group Newspapers. Some of my work can be seen at my site www.theworkingdan.com

What’s the last thing you read?

“Yes, And.” It’s a book about managing business and creative teams using improv techniques from the guys who run The Second City, the world-famous comedy group out of Chicago.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

It’s unfair to pick one restaurant when there are so many great options in Buffalo. I’m going to take the easy way out and just give my “best wings in Buffalo” candidate of Mammoser’s Tavern in Hamburg.

What’s your favorite hidden gem in WNY?

I’m not divulging my hidden gem for fear that it will become trendy and ruined by everyone else.

Now, let’s talk a little about AAF Buffalo.

Why did you join AAF Buffalo?

It’s as simple as wanting more for my career. I was subject to layoff twice in my early career, working for companies that have gone through bankruptcy and acquisition. I also worked directly with a lot of people who didn’t always understand or value the role of marketing in the business model. I joined AAF Buffalo because it provided professional development and the opportunity to speak with peers passionate about the type of work we do that I just wasn’t able to get where I was working.

What has been your proudest moment in your role on the AAF board?

I’d have to say the AAF Club Achievement Awards we received this past spring are the proudest. We worked hard the last few years to evolve our programming and communications efforts and to have the folks at the national level determine that we were worthy of first place was a great validation for the effort put in by everyone.

How has AAF Buffalo impacted you professionally?

AAF Buffalo has given me the opportunity to take on a leadership role and work with creative people who have become friends over the years. These are people I probably would have never been able to meet if I never showed up to an event or run for the board. Meeting and speaking with our out-of-town guests who bring great insight from beyond our area has also made a huge impact – sometimes it’s the simple validation you are on the same page as someone from a larger or different market is all it takes to make a positive mark on your career.

What differentiates AAF Buffalo from other groups?

I think it’s how active the organization is. The mix of out-of-town voices, a juried competition with the ADDYs, a handful of student opportunities, and a fun mix of social events really makes it an easy group to become a part of.

Why would you encourage others to join AAF Buffalo?

It’s a great mix of industry professionals who perform a variety of tasks in their day to day. There is something about being around creative people who work on some amazing things and share the common struggles many of us face in our careers. AAF Buffalo can be whatever you want it to be. A place to build a network of friends. A place to be inspired. A place to collaborate. A place to complain about your current workplace. A place to find your next employee. A place to sneak around the HR person to meet the person at the agency you want to work for. A place to give back to the community. A place to just grab a beer and do some bowling (shameless plug – I love our holiday bowling tournament). The opportunities are endless.

Keep up with Dan on Twitter at @dnesselbush, or Instagram at theworkingdan.

 

ADDYS Blog Board Events Latest News Students Stuff

2017 ADDYs Recap: AD SMACK BATTLE RUMBLE MANIA

Erin Collins 1 Comment on 2017 ADDYs Recap: AD SMACK BATTLE RUMBLE MANIA

On Friday, March 10, the local ad community came together to recognize the true winners of our industry: the creative geniuses of Western New York.

More than 410 advertising masterminds entered the ring at Buffalo RiverWorks to attend the 2017 WNY American Advertising Awards. From snarky signs to exclusive entourages, the atmosphere was lively, competitive, and celebratory – reflecting the show’s theme, “AD SMACK BATTLE RUMBLE MANIA,” perfectly.

Developed by local agency Crowley Webb, this year’s awards show satirized the hyped-up competition between local ad agencies around award season. Over 500 professional and student entries were received and scored by judges from Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Washington D.C.

Special thanks go to co-chairs Marcia Rich, UX Designer at Crowley Webb, and April Brown, Art Director at FARM Buffalo, who worked hard to ensure a raucous time was had by all.

And now, on to the winners.  Read on to view the great achievements of the night.


 

Professional Winners

Crowley Webb brought the final smack down, taking home the most ADDYs with 29 awards (5 Gold, 24 Silver). Gelia received a total of 26 awards (16 Gold, 10 Sliver), Block Club was honored with 16 awards (3 Gold, 13 Silver), The Martin Group took away 13 awards (13 Silver), White Bicycle secured 12 awards (7 Gold, 5 Silver), and dPost 11 awards (8 Gold, 3 Silver). A total of 26 companies took home at least one gold or silver award.

Other award winners include:

  • FARM Buffalo (2 Gold, 6 Silver)
  • Eric Mower + Associates (1 Gold, 4 Silver)
  • FIFTEEN (8 Silver)

Best of Show

The big winner of the night was Gelia, picking up the Best of Show Award for their Smiling Teds, “Science of Used Car Dealers” campaign.

Special Awards

Several very talented individuals were also honored with Special Awards.  The 2017 recipients were:

  • Andy Donovan, President, dPost – David I. Levy Communicator of the Year Award
    This award was created to recognize outstanding achievement and service in the communications industry.

    Andy Donovan, President of dPost accepts the David I. Levy Communicator of the Year Award.
  • Laurie Wolfe, Broadcast Producer, Laurie Wolfe Productions – Alex Osborn Award for Creativity
    Named in honor of Alex Osborn of Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn fame, this award recognizes individuals who, through outstanding creative achievements, have left an indelible mark on the Western New York creative community.
  • Ted’s Hot Dogs – The Odysseus Best Client Award
    The Odysseus Award was established in 2011 by the Advertising Club of Buffalo to honor a client in the Western New York market (individual or group/department) who has used the discipline of strategic marketing and advertising in an extraordinary way.
  • Charlie Riley, Director of Marketing and Communications, Lawley – Joe Crowley Award for Service
    This award recognizes not only hard work, but also outstanding achievement in furthering the activities and interests of the club.
  • Sam Tato, 3D Artist, dPost – AAF Buffalo Future Star Award
    This award honors an outstanding young professional in the marketing and advertising field who has demonstrated great potential in his or her early years in the industry.

The Veritiv Creative Use of Paper Award

White Bicycle received this award once again for their Andrea Nardello “Fire” Packaging for Blue Elephant Records. A special thanks to Jean Clemens from Veritiv for her continued support of AAF Buffalo and this award.

 

Best Show Book Ad Award

FIFTEEN won this year’s award with their interactive thumb battle rumble mania-themed ad.

 

 

Student Winners

College students were also included in the action. Taking home the Student Best of Show were Alexandra Casarsa, Courtney Ewings, Gina Griffo, and Samantha Lonczak of Villa Maria College for Skald Book Design. Lonczak’s 4 student awards (1 Gold, 3 Silver) were the most overall. Angela Marini of Daemen College took home 2 Gold awards, while Holly Norris of Buffalo State College took home 1 Gold and 1 Silver. A total of 17 students took home at least one gold or silver award.

Courtney Ewings, Gina Griffo, Samantha Lonczak, and Alexandra Casarsa of Villa Maria College accept the Student Best of Show Award for Skald Book Design.

Students each taking home one Gold award include:

  • Grace Gruarin, VIlla Maria College
  • Noah Herman, Daemen College

Student Silver award winners include:

  • Alexandra Casarsa, Villa Maria College
  • Troy Deweever, St. Bonaventure University
  • Courtney Ewings, Villa Maria College
  • Jeffery Marotta, Villa Maria College
  • Jessica Puskar, Villa Maria College
  • Rachel Peck, Canisius College
  • Alicia Salerno, Villa Maria College

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The 2016 WNY American Advertising Award Show was sponsored by: Buffalo Limousine, Holiday Inn Express, WNED TV, Gateway Printing & Graphics, Inc., Big Ditch Brewing Company, IMG_INK, Veritiv, Cohber Press, Inc., Hodgins Engraving, Minute Print, PromoWorks, CJ Sound, Sound Video Solutions, and Speier Displays.

On to a Bigger Ring

The Gold and Silver winners in both professional and student categories will have the opportunity to compete in the AAF District 2 American Advertising Awards with the hope of moving on to the national show in New Orleans in June.

Congratulations to all the winners and another successful year of work in WNY!

 

Watch the judge’s Best of Show selection process below. Special thanks to Jason Yates for this superb contribution.

 

Relive the memories by flipping through the 2017 American Advertising Awards show book, or view pictures from the night on our Facebook page.

Blog Board Stuff

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: TIM BOUCHARD

Erin Collins

You might recognize him by his bright yellow car, or know him as one of those crazy cyclists that wear spandex. Or, perhaps you know him for his killer work at the agency he co-founded, LUMINUS. But when he’s not biking 40+ miles or meeting with clients, Tim Bouchard serves as AAF Buffalo’s vice president. Read on to see what makes our second-in-command really tick.

Let’s hear about your day job.

Where do you work, and what does your role entail?

I’m a managing partner at LUMINUS, which means I wear many hats. I help with business development, client communication, project management, internal reviews, and all the boring business stuff. Being that my roots are in digital media, I still find time to keep up with web design trends and contribute to the programming processes here at the studio.

What trends or insights are you finding in your field/market?

LUMINUS’s origins are in the success and quality of our web and digital services. The traditional advertising community has been slowly integrating more focus on digital over the last 10 years, while we have been simultaneously growing into a full-service agency offering traditional services. It’s fun to see both sides playing in the same arenas.

What advice do you have to give to emerging talent in your field?

For those interested in the digital realm, stay forward thinking. Creative processes and digital advertising change rapidly as new technology and social markets emerge. Always be learning.

Tell us about organizations/charities that you’re passionate about.

I’m involved in and support local cycling, whether its races or organizations like GoBike Buffalo.

What are three things you use at work every day?

My Mac Pro, Slack, and Quick Wit

What was your first job?

My first professional gig was working for a little company called Student Voice when it was just 10 people. Some of you may know it now as Campus Labs.

Describe yourself in one word.

Determined.

What’s your favorite hidden gem in WNY?

“That Taco Place” in Batavia – or “Taco Joe’s,” as us regulars call it.

Now, let’s talk a little about AAF Buffalo.

Why did you join AAF Buffalo?

As a young business owner, I saw an opportunity to involve my company from an exposure standpoint and a resource for my team to continue professional development. As a single company, we cannot pull together the classes, speakers, and networking events that a group like AAF Buffalo can.

What has been your proudest moment in your role on the AAF board?

Creating the BrandHack event, which brings students and professionals together to competitively create a media campaign for a local non-profit. I wanted to bring an idea from my tech background into the creative space. I also really wanted an event that tied students directly with professionals.

How has AAF Buffalo impacted you professionally?

Being on my first board has expanded my management and communication skills. It’s introduced me to contacts internally within AAF as well as local industry leaders that I can share conversations with now at a common level.

What differentiates AAF Buffalo from other groups?

We are fortunate to work in an imaginative and enjoyable field. We create every day. AAF Buffalo allows us to get together and share that feeling with each other and constantly push each other to be even better.

Why would you encourage others to join AAF Buffalo?

Buffalo is a small town that still has somewhat limited resources. This organization is in place to help us support each other. You’re never done learning. We offer accessible and approachable ways to support local students –  to open doors and help them become the best future professionals they can be. This is an all-inclusive organization.

Keep up with Tim on Twitter at @timbouchard, or Instagram at downincircles.

Blog Events Skillshop

Skillshop Recap: Public Relations 101

Dan Nesselbush
by Andrew Bevevino

“So what exactly do you do?” That’s a question that a lot of PR people get. PR is multifaceted to say the least, so it’s tough to put your finger on.

But, if you had to describe it, what would you say? Luckily, Martin Davison Public Relations employee Kelsey Hanks and I recently hosted Skillshop: Public Relations 101 at The Martin Group offices to discuss what PR encompasses.

What do PR people actually do?

There are many PR practices, so it’s difficult to come up with a one sentence definition. However, we spoke briefly about several areas that PR practitioners work within on a regular basis.

  • Advocacy: If an organization needs help gaining community and/or influencer support for a certain initiative, PR people can help craft the messaging around that cause or initiative by writing speeches and talking points, organizing forums or community meetings, placing stories with the media or administering media training.
  • Content marketing: When we talk about content marketing, we’re referencing blogs, podcasts, infographics or other content-based pieces of communications. This content has some sort of value for consumers (i.e. education or entertainment), and PR people help create that content and the strategies for promoting it.
  • Internal communications: Internal PR is useful for keeping employees satisfied and informed. A good example of internal PR is a company newsletter detailing notable employee news and company updates and accomplishments. PR people are often tasked with keeping tabs on company news and creating internal promotional materials.
  • Crisis management: When something happens that could damage a company’s reputation, its often the job of PR practitioners to minimize or eliminate that damage. Doing so requires careful crafting of a strategic message that is relayed through press conferences, media relations and various other PR tactics.
  • Social media: You can use social media to accomplish many of the same goals that accomplish with more traditional PR. You can use social to promote content you create internally or for clients (i.e. blogs, podcasts), or you can spread positive buzz through the various social media channels and tools.
  • Media relations: Media relations = getting your clients in the news. This is what a lot of people think about when they reference PR. If you’re pitching stories about your clients to reporters or bloggers, you’re practicing media relations.

These are just a few areas within PR that we discussed during the workshop. There are many more, and their applications vary depending on the situation.

What is newsworthy/pitching basics

We took a bit of a deeper dive into media relations and discussed what makes a story newsworthy as well as some basics for media pitching.

There are several aspects of a story that make it newsworthy. Human interest, awards, product launches, major accomplishments and original content are all good examples of characteristics that might catch a reporter’s eye.

But, when pitching a story to the media, you always have to make sure you have a good angle. The angle is the story’s point of relevance or uniqueness. Without a good angle, your story will be glanced over. During the workshop, we outlined strategies to finding a good hook, as well as some basic steps to reaching out to the news media.

10 ways to promote your brand or event

If you’re having a big event or launching a new product, you’ll definitely want some PR to spread the word. We talked about ways to promote your event or product using PR, and I’d lay those out for you now, but I’m sure you’d rather just look at this artsy infographic that details PR activations for those occasions.

We talked about a few other subjects during our presentation at The Martin Group, but these are some of the broader points we spent a little more time on. All in all, we had some solid conversation about PR basics that the attendees seemed to find interesting based on the feedback I received.

Thanks to all who came! We really enjoyed giving the presentation, and we hope to see you at more AAF Buffalo events in the future.

Events Students

BrandHack 2017: Designing for Non-Profit Danceability [Recap]

Tim Bouchard 1 Comment on BrandHack 2017: Designing for Non-Profit Danceability [Recap]

By Tim Bouchard

In 2016 I organized the first ever BrandHack event which was a nod to my web/tech industry background. It went great, but lacked a bit of motivation and skin in the game since we used a case study exercise rather than a real case. So we sent out a call for non-profits in November of 2016 in search of a worthy benefactor of our BrandHack event. Enter Danceability, a local non-profit dance studio that services those with special needs between the ages of 3-70 years old. This year, 2017 marks the 10 year anniversary of the organization so we tasked our BrandHack student teams with updating the look of the logo, an event invitation piece and a poster design for the annual performances event in May.

We were hosted by the UB Art Department this year and had four student teams representing St. Bonaventure, UB, Buffalo State, Daemen, and Villa Maria. After last year we learned that each team would benefit from having a professional Art Director as their captain, enter April Brown from FARM, Jaime Applegate from NOCO, John English from LUMINUS, and Krista Roberts from Quinlan. This was a game changer as their direction gave the students the confidence and guidance to work through brainstorming, scheduling, and executing each piece.

The groups would have four and a half hours of active work time before making their 10 minute pitches before the judges would deliberate.

Throughout the day our two judges Dan Stout from FIFTEEN and Michael Tsanis from martin bounced from group to group answering questions of the project requirements and making sure the teams were on track. Robin, our representative from Danceability was also answering questions throughout the day helping make sure the organization was represented accurately in the work.

And of course we had a giant count down clock on the projector to add to the drama.

What came of the day’s four and a half hour design crunch was some amazing work from each team. Congrats to all the students that poured their heart into these and the captains for steering the ship!

A word from Robin of Danceability: “Danceability was excited to be selected as Brandhack’s first nonprofit! If you are a start-up nonprofit, this is a great event for you to get your organization off and running with branding. I highly recommend it.”

Below are the results of the 2nd annual BrandHack!

WINNER: UB captained by John English

 

RUNNER-UP: Buffalo State/UB captained by April Brown

 

Daemen College / Villa Maria captained by Jaime Applegate

 

St. Bonaventure captained by Krista Roberts

Blog Events

Bowling for Soup

Erin Collins
By Erin Collins

No, this isn’t a story about that early-2000s, one-hit-wonder rock band. It’s better!

Charity, by means of bowling. Not something you hear about everyday. But then again, creatives are known to be out-of-the-lane thinkers.

That’s why AAF Buffalo continued to host its 3rd Annual Holiday Bowling Tournament to support the Food Bank of WNY. On Tuesday, December 6, 14 teams from Quinlan, Crowley Webb, Gelia, FARM, Parkway Digital, Luminus, The Martin Group, and other professional organizations took to the lanes to bowl for soup and strikes.

Our awesome organizers: Jillian Minderler, Brittany Klotzbach and Shannon Silva

Bowlers brought their best skills and non-perishable food donations to compete for prizes from our generous sponsor, Quinlan, as well as some Buffalo goodies provided by our pals at Store 716 (who also extended free shipping to all AAF Buffalo members with code shipAAF). With a total of 1136 for both games, Alex Bass and teammates Billy Drenko, Matt Lyford and Brian Straka  took home the top team prize. The prize for best overall male bowler went to Billy Drenko, while AAF Buffalo board member April Brown and Lauren Shapiro represented FARM as top female bowlers.

In addition to sponsoring the event, Quinlan also brought the largest food donation – and with other participants’ contributions, the event was able to provide a whopping 678 lbs. to the Food Bank. That translates to many cleaned out pantries, and the equivalent of 565 donated meals!

Thank you to all participants, sponsors and friends at Kenmore Lanes for another successful bowling tournament.

Visit the AAF Buffalo Facebook page for more pictures from the 3rd Annual Holiday Bowling Tournament.

Board Stuff

Board Member Spotlight: Scott Bartels

Erin Collins

AAF Buffalo President Scott Bartels has been on our board for six years – serving as treasurer for three, and as president for the latter. He’s seen AAF and the advertising community of Buffalo through various trends, and can rock a mic at a networking event like no other. Read on to learn a little more about our head honcho and his take on advertising in 2016.

Let’s hear about your day job.

Scott-500Where do you work, and what does your role entail?

I’m Assistant Vice President of Digital Content Delivery at HSBC Bank. Essentially, I work with our digital team to manage our website content.

What trends or insights are you finding in your field/market? 

Well it’s probably obvious, but mobile and video are huge right now. So much of the content we consume on the internet is audiovisual, and most of us are viewing it on some sort of smartphone or tablet. Virtual and augmented reality are also becoming hot topics, but I think it’s too early to tell how they’ll fit into our everyday lives and be fully leveraged from a marketing standpoint.

What advice do you have to give to emerging talent in your field?

Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, and put yourself out there and meet people. Networking can definitely feel uncomfortable at first, but once you do it a few times, it’ll get easier and lead you to a whole network of new contacts.

Tell us about organizations/charities you’re passionate about.

Buffalo Prep is an amazing organization that provides hard working, intelligent students with great academic opportunities. I’m really excited about AAF Buffalo’s new partnership with Buffalo Prep this year, and looking forward to introducing their students to careers in advertising.

What’s your favorite hidden gem in WNY?

I really love the Darwin Martin House, which is a historic site right in a city neighborhood. I’ve always found the architecture and its story intriguing; every detailed feature was done for a reason and to perfection.

Now, let’s talk a little about AAF Buffalo.

Why did you join AAF Buffalo?

In 2011, I was at a point in my career where I saw the need to network more in my field, and AAF Buffalo seemed like it would provide that opportunity. Almost six years later, I can’t imagine my life without this experience.

What has been your proudest moment in your role on the AAF board?

We’ve accomplished so much over the years, but this past June we won first place in three national AAF achievement awards. It was an awesome recognition for years of hard work on the board, and a great testament to the support of our members.

How has AAF Buffalo impacted you professionally?

In addition to introducing me to new people and ideas, AAF Buffalo helped me grow my leadership skills and gain a lot more confidence in public speaking.

What differentiates AAF Buffalo from other groups?

Our yearly American Advertising Awards show. Our show brings the entire advertising industry together for a celebration of the great work developed in this region. Not only is it a celebration, but a reunion of sorts for many who have worked together through the years.

Why would you encourage others to join AAF Buffalo?

You’ll meet some really great people, who have a shared passion for the same line of work. It gives you the opportunity to develop professionally, learn new ideas, share challenges, open new doors to your career, and make some great friends in the process.

Keep up with Scott on Twitter at @sbartels47, or Instagram at scooterb47.