It’s COLAB Time!

To those of you looking for an internship in the advertising world, guess what? COLAB time is here again…

I participated in the inaugural 2008 group – wasn’t sure what to think going in, but it was the best six weeks I’ve spent during a summer – collaborating with some of the most forward thinking, techno-savvy, inspiring people.

Oh and plus you get to spend the summer in Portland. Which, I would have to say, it perhaps the best places in the States to spend a summer.

Anyway, COLAB asked us to create a video talking about our COLAB experience…check it out, then go apply. Now. Do it!

Heart in Oregon (and Texas!)

When I was in Portland last summer for Portland Ad. Federation‘s COLAB internship-crazy-awesomeness, I started noticing these Oregon-shaped stickers with a green heart within. For the next few months, I took a picture each time I came across one of these stickers and subsequently wrote a post or two about my discoveries.

Fast forward through the details, and I wind up connecting with the founder/brains behind this movement, Chris Bucci – we exchange a few emails as my curiosity and love for this idea grows…Chris sends me a few stickers, which makes my love for this movement even greater. (=

So as I think we all know at this point, I am in Austin. One of the first things I noticed about Texans is hands down their love and pride of being Texan. I was lucky to meet a handful of wonderful Texans with overwhelming Texas pride, and who were willing and excited to include/share that with me (which I thought was incredibly gracious on their end, and made me feel good about settling here)

Anyway, Chris and I connected again – me telling him how much I am impressed with the Texas/Southern hospitality, BUT at the same time, saying how much more pride I have for where I am from now that I am no longer there.  So…a few more conversations happen, a handful more stickers come (of Texas AND Oregon now!) and a project between Chris and me evolves!

We’ll see how this project goes, but as you can tell from the Heart in Oregon website, storytelling is HUGE. I love hearing people’s stories and I love that each and every one of us has such a unique and tailored…anthology, really. Also pretty enthused to combine this with a similar project Ashly and I have been brainstorming…

Last night I interviewed my first person – a now friend who I actually (this sounds sketch) met courtesy of Craigslist (NOT missed connections, although I wish! haha) I bought some furniture from him, we became friends, I found his story interesting and voilà!

Not sure the format or how these storytelling pieces will manifest, but regardless, I am extremely excited to see what’s to come! (and equally excited for my new slew of Oregon/Texas heart stickers!)

looking for an ad. internship?

10 interns. 2 teams.

10 agencies. 3 agencies per intern.

6 weeks.

Portland, Oregon.

Paid.

Still interested?  If you guys are interested in an ad. related summer internship, I would really suggest checking out COLAB.  I spent last summer participating in COLAB and honestly…wow, it was a freaking awesome opportunity.

So, basically COLAB works like this – you will spend 2 weeks with three agencies during the six week period.  You will also work with four of the other interns to create an advertising campaign, which will be pitched to the client and PAF members at the conclusion of colab.

Still interested?  Apply here!

Last year’s COLAB-ers documented the experience pretty well last year- here is everything that I documented during COLAB 08.

And in the meantime, for your viewing pleasure…

Here’s the final video Bryan compiled of our team, Team Kiwi:

Each Friday the interns got together at an additional agency (part of PAF, but without a COLAB-er) to work on our intern campaign.  Here’s a two minute redux of our first meeting at Henry V:

Christine and I made alot of videos during COLAB!  Here’s one we made after our third week after a long day working at Pop Art:

Here is the final marketing plan my team developed!

Further questions??  Let me know!

the things you learn when videotaping yourself…

When you start watching yourself on  tape – wow.  This summer during COLAB, I recorded a number of video blogs, and through these, I’ve realized a few things about myself – and of everyone really- the way we THINK we present ourselves, and the way we actually appear are frequently different…

When conducting an interview, who is doing most of the talking?  Unless it’s a conversation, you already know what you think – let the interviewee speak.

Facial expressions (do you look bored when others are talking??)

Silence is just as important as dialog – give time for thought and processing

Overused words/expressions

Are you speaking succinctly, or are you using too many words to say the same thing? (yes, that was intentional…)

Are you feeding answers in your questions?

PAF Rosey Awards 2008 recap

Outstanding!

First and foremost – major kudos to Jamie Sexton and everyone who played such integral parts in making this years Roseys a complete success- Leticia, Mason, Alex, Sarah, Becky, Eric, Allison, all the volunteers – you guys rocked.

Congrats to all the agencies who submitted work and a special pat on the back to the winners – check them out!  For me, taking part in Roseys was just another reminder of what an enthusiastic, supportive and creative advertising community we have in Portland – gotta love it.

I took a handful of photos throughout the night at the beautiful Newmark Theater:

Check out this site for more Roseys pictures.

I’d have to say this was one of my favorites parts of the night (props to Dylan for capturing this beautiful moment):

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I can’t forget to mention how great it was to see all wonderful Portland-ers I had to opportunity to work with this summer – Kent, all the eROIers, Heather, other COLAB-ers…the list goes on and on…  

AND, of course where there is Roseys, there is an afterparty – thank you West Cafe for hosting (and for having delicious peartinis…mmmm) :

All in all, I’ve have to call the Roseys a success!  Thanks for a great night!