The Yaybies know we’re lucky to have gone to the J-School at the University of Minnesota
Jennifer Johnson.
Creds: Tons, but most notably Leo Burnett and CD at two shops in Mpls.
Teaches: Copywriting/Creative Strategy and Portfolio Development
I thought I knew how to think creatively before JJ’s class, but she completely reinvented the creative process for me. Now I know what makes a great ad and how to brainstorm effectively. (Hint: It involves dozens of scraps of colored paper that you WILL fill with ideas.)
Best lessons learned: Don’t cry at work. Be an elbow, not an arm (leave a comment if you’re curious about the origins of that one…)
Creds: Tons, but most notably Leo Burnett and CD at two shops in Mpls.
Teaches: Copywriting/Creative Strategy and Portfolio Development
I thought I knew how to think creatively before JJ’s class, but she completely reinvented the creative process for me. Now I know what makes a great ad and how to brainstorm effectively. (Hint: It involves dozens of scraps of colored paper that you WILL fill with ideas.)
Best lessons learned: Don’t cry at work. Be an elbow, not an arm (leave a comment if you’re curious about the origins of that one…)
Earl Herzog.
Creds: EVP/Media Director atCampbell
Teaches: Media Strategy
Students either love or hate Earl’s style: gruff, to-the-point, unabashed. His class is completely real-world and the skills and knowledge he shares give aspiring media professionals a huge advantage in their first job. My favorite part of his class? Quizzes on the New York Times’ Media & Advertising section. A perfect example of teaching students what they really need to know in the advertising world.
Best lessons learned: FIGURE IT OUT. Read the Times’ Media & Ad section. And don’t be late.
Creds: EVP/Media Director at
Teaches: Media Strategy
Students either love or hate Earl’s style: gruff, to-the-point, unabashed. His class is completely real-world and the skills and knowledge he shares give aspiring media professionals a huge advantage in their first job. My favorite part of his class? Quizzes on the New York Times’ Media & Advertising section. A perfect example of teaching students what they really need to know in the advertising world.
Best lessons learned: FIGURE IT OUT. Read the Times’ Media & Ad section. And don’t be late.
John Rash.
Creds: Director of Media Analysis at Campbell Mithun, writer of The Rash Report
Teaches: Mass Media and Politics
Unfortunately, I never got to take John Rash’s class, but all his students rave about his intelligence and availability, even though he’s crazy busy. The Rash Report is absolutely astounding. The first time I had a conversation with this man, I knew he was one of the smartest people I will ever meet. I can’t imagine how amazing Media & Politics will be with the election this year!
Best lessons learned: Actually, I’m usually too busy trying not to let my jaw drop at his eloquence and insight…
Creds: Director of Media Analysis at Campbell Mithun, writer of The Rash Report
Teaches: Mass Media and Politics
Unfortunately, I never got to take John Rash’s class, but all his students rave about his intelligence and availability, even though he’s crazy busy. The Rash Report is absolutely astounding. The first time I had a conversation with this man, I knew he was one of the smartest people I will ever meet. I can’t imagine how amazing Media & Politics will be with the election this year!
Best lessons learned: Actually, I’m usually too busy trying not to let my jaw drop at his eloquence and insight…
John Eighmey.
Creds: Senior management and both Y&R and the FTC. Journal of Advertising listed him as one of the 10 most-cited authorities on internet advertising.
Teaches: Cases
Another professor whose brilliance I never got to witness firsthand, but friends tell me he’s incredibly intelligent and a stellar thesis advisor. When we had an NSAC near-disaster, one team member emailed him frantically for advice. He replied within minutes, calming us down and giving us guidance on how to proceed.
Best lessons learned: Intelligence and quiet compassion goes a long way.
Creds: Senior management and both Y&R and the FTC. Journal of Advertising listed him as one of the 10 most-cited authorities on internet advertising.
Teaches: Cases
Another professor whose brilliance I never got to witness firsthand, but friends tell me he’s incredibly intelligent and a stellar thesis advisor. When we had an NSAC near-disaster, one team member emailed him frantically for advice. He replied within minutes, calming us down and giving us guidance on how to proceed.
Best lessons learned: Intelligence and quiet compassion goes a long way.
Howard Liszt.
Creds: Former CEO ofCampbell
Teaches: He’s technically marked down as teaching JOUR 3201…but we know him as the fearless NSAC advisor.
Howard pushes his NSAC team to work harder, be smarter, and think more creatively than they ever have before. Having his seal of approval on your resume all but guarantees you a job after graduation. And he honestly cares about every one of his students.
Best lessons learned: Work hard. Believe in yourself and your team. Genuinely care about others. 400 BABIES!
Creds: Former CEO of
Teaches: He’s technically marked down as teaching JOUR 3201…but we know him as the fearless NSAC advisor.
Howard pushes his NSAC team to work harder, be smarter, and think more creatively than they ever have before. Having his seal of approval on your resume all but guarantees you a job after graduation. And he honestly cares about every one of his students.
Best lessons learned: Work hard. Believe in yourself and your team. Genuinely care about others. 400 BABIES!
Brian Southwell.
Creds: PhD, outstanding researcher of health communication, and winner of a huge teaching award
Teaches: Psychology of Advertising
Choosing Brian Southwell as my thesis advisor was the best decision I could have made. He was endlessly patient and always had complete faith in me.
Best lessons learned: Extra effort and thought will always be rewarded.
Creds: PhD, outstanding researcher of health communication, and winner of a huge teaching award
Teaches: Psychology of Advertising
Choosing Brian Southwell as my thesis advisor was the best decision I could have made. He was endlessly patient and always had complete faith in me.
Best lessons learned: Extra effort and thought will always be rewarded.
Mark Pedelty.
Creds: Anthropologist who has traveledCentral America , Mexico , and the US
Teaches: Mass Media and Pop Culture
Each semester, Mark organizes a concert or other event which his class promotes to help raise awareness for a cause. My semester was the first one, and the honors section promoted local artists in conjunction with Friends of theMississippi River . Through this, he demonstrates how media can work for good, and how anyone can use our PR and ad knowledge for a good cause.
Best lessons learned: Intersections of culture and media are everywhere. Decide for yourself whether that’s good or bad.
Creds: Anthropologist who has traveled
Teaches: Mass Media and Pop Culture
Each semester, Mark organizes a concert or other event which his class promotes to help raise awareness for a cause. My semester was the first one, and the honors section promoted local artists in conjunction with Friends of the
Best lessons learned: Intersections of culture and media are everywhere. Decide for yourself whether that’s good or bad.
Kathy Hansen.
Creds: Co-author of Behind the Message, a communication researcher’s Bible. Innovator in communication research and teaching techniques, like creating a custom module that turns Neverwinter Nights into a PR/journalism research simulator.
Teaches: Honors Senior Seminar, Info for Mass Communicators
I liked both of Kathy’s classes, but I remember her most as an exceptional mentor. She knows the J-School inside and out and will sit down with anyone to help them discuss class and career options.
Best lessons learned: You can do anything, no matter how big.
Creds: Co-author of Behind the Message, a communication researcher’s Bible. Innovator in communication research and teaching techniques, like creating a custom module that turns Neverwinter Nights into a PR/journalism research simulator.
Teaches: Honors Senior Seminar, Info for Mass Communicators
I liked both of Kathy’s classes, but I remember her most as an exceptional mentor. She knows the J-School inside and out and will sit down with anyone to help them discuss class and career options.
Best lessons learned: You can do anything, no matter how big.
Debra Kelley.
Creds: Principal of Hall Kelley design company.
Teaches: Basic Media Graphics
Debra is encouraging and patient. She knows that ad students are not necessarily designers, but she teaches the fundamentals to make any Powerpoint look clean and professional. Her class is the best way ad kids can learn Photoshop and InDesign besides pirating their GD friend’s copy, getting drunk, and playing with vectors. Err…was that just me?
Best lessons learned: Read The Non-Designers’ Design Book. Now.
Creds: Principal of Hall Kelley design company.
Teaches: Basic Media Graphics
Debra is encouraging and patient. She knows that ad students are not necessarily designers, but she teaches the fundamentals to make any Powerpoint look clean and professional. Her class is the best way ad kids can learn Photoshop and InDesign besides pirating their GD friend’s copy, getting drunk, and playing with vectors. Err…was that just me?
Best lessons learned: Read The Non-Designers’ Design Book. Now.
Did I skip your faves? Leave them in the comments!
6 comments:
Very cool idea!
I heartily second the recommendations of Rash, Eighmey and Southworth. John Eighmey is probably my favorite instructor of all time, from any level. He always has the best stories—from really cool firsthand ad history tidbits to self-deprecating anecdotes that paint him as a sort of bumbling sitcom husband.
My only addition would be Dan Wackman. His 'Advertising in Society' class made analyzing industry ethics pretty simple (and waaaay more interesting than I was expecting). I initially found him kinda grumpy, though looking back I think he just has a straightforward, ultra-logical outlook on everything.
I think Brittany Duff deserves an honorable mention for best up and comer. She landed at Campbell Mithun after her undergraduate studies and is now completing her doctorate and teaching/TA-ing undergrad classes. She brings relevant, real life examples to class and talking to her is just like talking to one of your peers. She is also likely to take the top honors for best style in the J School. http://tinyurl.com/5wo8st
I definitely agree with Ben Miller, on both counts. Eighmey was one of my faves as well. he was so fun, and wears BK Kid's Meal watches, if that gives you any indication about the kind of guy he is. Wackman also deserves to be added on. As my thesis advisor, he really was helpful and definitely wanted everyone to succeed.
Sooo perhaps I'm a bit behind on following my teamsters, but I'm gonna give the go ahead and suggest Karen Knapp as a potential candidate. While virtually unknown to current NSACers, demonstrates much promise as an instructor for Campaigns and through careful investigation, I hear has bounced around a few of the agencies downtown and is currently (I believe) a top dog in recruiting an Carmichael Lynch. Her official nomination is pending. Why is it that I feel that all my classes are extended job interviews?
I know this is WAY late, but I have to beg you to add Marco Yzer. He has his master's in persuasion and helps students learn the root of advertising instead of just the buzz. He's from the Netherlands so he can often offer some interesting conversation on international trends or differences to consider, and he's passionate about teaching and helping his students grow their passion for communications. I took his Intro to Advertising class and was floored. Great teacher.
Oh, and x2 on Erin's suggestion of Brittany Duff. Not only did she take the time to spend time with me individually after seeing some potential in one of my assignments, but she has continued to mentor me and help me through my transition from school to grad school and to the "real world" job market.
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