Education

MAIP AD-vice from Ad 2 MAIP alumni

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MAIP AD-vice from Ad 2 MAIP alumni: Tips from Ad 2 Orlando MAIP alumni on the 4A’s program

By: Haniff Murray

So, you want to apply to MAIP.

We’ll get straight to the point: you aren’t here because you want a long intro about what the 4A’s Multicultural Advertising Internship Program is. (There are other places you can do that). You aren’t here because you’re interested in learning about the tons of different advertising agencies around the nation that are MAIP hosts, or see the amazing success stories of program alumni. (You can browse those elsewhere, too). 

You’re here because you want the insider tips. 

That’s why you’re getting advice from an Ad 2 Orlando board member who happens to be a 2023 MAIP fellow: Haniff Murray.

Haniff’s Application Tips

  1. Research the different disciplines. Make sure you research the different disciplines MAIP is offering so you get a good idea of what you’re signing up for. Are you more of a creative? Look into copywriting and art direction. More so someone with great campaign ideas but not really artsy? Look into strategy.
  2. Connect with previous cohorts on LinkedIn.
  3. Be yourself in your video! You don’t have to be a master videographer and editor. I literally filmed my MAIP video on my iPhone and edited it in iMovie. 

Haniff’s Reasons to Apply

MAIP provides so many opportunities for growth and networking. Before applying to MAIP I didn’t really have a good understanding of the different types of advertising roles. I remember seeing the strategist, copywriter, accounts, and art director disciplines and being very confused. I wasn’t even aware that my advertising degree could provide me with a window into working in the music industry. I applied to MAIP on a whim because of my roommate’s recommendation and a few months later I was in Los Angeles interning at RCA Records.

I also gained real friends in my cohort. I found a community with MAIP that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. And the people I met had cultural overlap with me because we were all minorities. I truly have not experienced anything like it to this day. MAIP definitely shifted the trajectory of my life and propelled me forward a hundred steps in my career aspirations. 

Additional Links and Resources 

Note: This blog is not an official post in partnership of the 4A’s foundation, but rather personal advice for potential applicants/interested students.

Digital Media from All Angles

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Our Digital Media From All Angles program was a success! With more than 100 attendees, four Orlando-based digital experts as our speakers and huge support from our sponsors, this was one of our biggest events of the year and in Ad 2 Orlando history.

The event took place on Thursday, February 21st at the new office of Purple, Rock, Scissors in the heart of downtown Orlando.

Our panel of experts included:

Michael Parler, Chief Strategy Officer, Purple, Rock, Scissors
John Payne, President, Monster Media
Mark Unger, Partner/Director of Interactive, Push.
Ted Murphy, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Izea

Our Programs chairs, Jeff Malczyk and Chris Merritt, asked a variety of questions which garnered interesting responses. Notably, digital advertising is only going to continue to grow, content is key, and it’s OK to advertise national campaigns in smaller markets.

We’re proud to host programs and feature guest speakers for the enjoyment of young professionals in the advertising industry. Ad 2 Orlando is composed of forward thinking and forward moving people looking to make a difference professionally, personally and throughout the community. It’s always great meeting people who have been members of Ad 2 Orlando for multiple years as well as non-members who are attending an event for the first time.

We would like to once again thank our sponsors: Macbeth Photography, Black Leaf Signs and PRPL. Check out the event photos from Macbeth Photography here.

*images featured in this post provided by Macbeth Photography.

Words of Wisdom from an Ad 2 Mentee

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I first signed up for the Mentorship Program in October of 2011, and had no idea what value it would bring, if any. At the time, I was a graduating senior and preparing for my final semester at UCF. Little did I know at the time that the next 11 months would bring me more beneficial feedback that I could’ve ever imagined. There isn’t a category in my career life that hasn’t been improved thanks to my Mentor – from resume critique, career-searching techniques, job banks that I didn’t even know existed, different clubs and organizations chosen by my Mentor specifically to my likeness, interview tips – an absolute wealth of knowledge that has benefited me every step of the way.

If you have any second-guessings about signing up for the Mentorship Program, you really shouldn’t. It will do nothing but help you, both personally and professionally.

– Sir Pritam Shah, 2012 UCF graduate

Ad:Tech-ing

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Since my last Ad 2 event, I’ve given up caffeine and carbs. No more coffee and bagels for me for the time being. However, what I have not given up is kicking serious advertising ass and working hard at ECHO Interaction Group. We’re a youngish, newish digital agency right in the heart of Downtown Orlando at the Plaza. We specialize in digital, interactive, social media and multicultural marketing. The company was born at a trade show exactly one year ago. Last weekend, a few of us returned to the advertising motherland, New York City, to attend the Ad:Tech conference as a fully operational entity. Two of the ECHO partners, Carlos Carbonell, Mat Gaver and myself left Orlando on Tuesday afternoon and before I knew it, it was Friday afternoon and were touching back down at MCO.

The Ad:Tech conference was a natural disaster of information, networking and exposure to what the rest of the industry is up to. Walking the show floor was a bit of sensory overload. Exhibitors of all types were showing off their products, services and trade show gimmicks. I wasn’t even sure if some of them knew they were at an advertising conference, but they went all out anyway. Booth Babes? Free Beer? Don’t mind if I do.

The meat and potatoes of the show were the focus sessions and roundtables. We split up and attended as many as we could, presenters included executives from Facebook, CNN, Mazda, Pepsi, Nielsen and some of the biggest and brightest agencies in the land. It was highly educational and interesting to see some of the case studies and projects that have been successfully executed (or not so successfully) on national and international scales. I worked in NYC during the summer before coming back to Orlando to work for ECHO so when the show was over for the day, there were friends to catch up with outside of the Ad:tech sponsored parties (although somehow we made it to those too).

All said, it was an extremely successful and enjoyable trip. We didn’t sleep much, but in New York City, who needs it? I returned with some leads, plenty of industry perspective and a massive appreciation for a quite night sleeping in my own bed.

Jon Miller | Associate Marketing Director
ECHO Interaction Group
jon@beginanecho.com | http://www.beginanecho.com
facebook.com/echointeraction | twitter.com/echointeraction