The world of advertising is an intriguing one for me. With big brand names such as Coco-Cola, Nike, Apple, and Disney springing out at you from every direction, it is hard to ignore the fact that advertisements directly influence our daily decisions, language, and even attitude in life. Little girls want to be like Cinderella when they grow up. Young boys desire the glory of athletic stars like Michael Jordan. So what do they do? They buy the product that promises a part in that life. In studying the techniques of advertisers that capture the interest of today's youth, I have observed the media's shift from providing a simple, informative notice of available goods to their current strategy that tries to sell intangible dreams through tangible products. This practice entices viewers to purchase products by telling them that they are not “cool” unless they have the available item.

 

     Personally, I value the opportunity to help others. If advertisers could persuade people to buy products without also causing their self-esteem to decrease, I feel that their company would succeed by becoming a friend in the eye of the consumer – making people feel glad to buy rather that feeling desperate to buy. In today's commercial-saturated society, people tend to tune out all the advertisements in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed by them. But I believe this consumer-focused viewpoint would help the world of advertising to make a huge leap forward. I want to make this difference in the world. But, I need the help of Grady to train me in the details, the way people think, and the marketing techniques so I can bring this vision into focus. I need the skills, knowledge, and experience offered at Grady.

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      Along with this perspective, I offer a strong work ethic, a desire to learn and apply new information and skills, inspiration, and a passion for people. I have a strong grade point average, earned by my diligence in work and studies through previous years. I have been trained from childhood to maintain a standard of integrity, perseverance, and a motivation to help others succeed. With that comes the readiness to teach and lead others, while also taking the time to encourage and motivate them. I believe this mentality is a solid base on which to build an advertising career. I can communicate my thoughts and ideas to others in a way that expresses my desire for their happiness and fulfillment in life. With training in Grady, I can use this attitude to make advertisements more appealing and even appreciated in today's society.

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      I currently am involved as the publicist in a student-run organization on campus called "First Book – UGA." We are a new organization on campus, so this past semester, we have needed to use marketing and advertising techniques to make our name recognizable and to draw the interest of volunteers to help us reach our goal. As the publicist, I collected and decorated cans from the dining halls with our signature colors, stars, and a drawing of the First Book logo, which we used to go canning in downtown Athens. I also helped create an information board to catch people's attention in the Student Activity Fairs held on campus. We designed colorful signs and trays to display and promote the sale of our lollipops for funds. I also connected with leaders of organizations devoted to assisting and promoting non-profit organizations like our own. These groups use methods such as video promotion, recruitment of volunteers, and coordination of networking events. Being involved in this organization has taught me about the importance of advertising and the way to go about it. I realize from this experience that I still am in need of much training in skills and techniques. Being a part of Grady would allow me a great opportunity to expand my knowledge of the trade and become an influential advertiser.