Programs/Socials

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

Lets Get This Party Started

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So, we recently hosted our Membership Kick-off event and there’s no doubt we’re feeling great about this year’s Ad 2 Orlando Chapter! The venue was packed with more than 100 people; Some joined us from AAF, others were Ad 2 members and, best of all, we welcomed several new faces that were enthusiastic about becoming part of the 2011-2012 Ad 2 crew.

There was also a large interest in joining committees. Eight people signed up for the Public Service committee, and several more other committees – including Socials, Public Relations/Social Media, Education, Diversity, Creative, and Membership – also engaged with potential members and encouraged involvement.

At the end of the evening, we had eight new members  and 19 signatures on committee sheets. To top it all off, the Sponsorship committee’s donated gift certificates (hat tip to Jon Herbster) and the generosity of our members helped raise approximately $250! It was a fantastic time with wonderful people. Ad 2, get ready for a great year!

If you missed the event, or the sign-up sheets — or whatever — and want to get involved, email Tiffany L. Ryan at
President@ad2orlando.org for more info!

Ahhhh, My First Time

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I’ll never forget my first time.  There were a couple of beers to start it all off, the surprisingly comforting soundtrack of laughter in the background, and plenty of welcoming, friendly people to ease me in and explain how it all works…

Ad 2 Orlando’s New Year Kick Off Social was a huge success!

I chose to get fully involved with the process and take a board position on Ad 2.  Go big or go home, right?  Until this first event, most of the time I’d spent with Ad 2 was in the confines of a board room discussing what we were going to do and working in the field trying to fill sponsorship positions.  Man, was it a lot of work.  More than I’d ever seen go into a networking/volunteer group.  I’d also never seen the results of that amount of work going into a networking/volunteer group.  There’s a reason why this group won so many national awards last year!

The night started off with a couple of tasty brews from Orlando Brewing, Co. and a tour of the brewery to experience the magic of beer-making.  The Red Ale goes down nicely!  After a few short handshakes and introductions, I felt like I’d been a part of Ad2 for years.  Every member was a young professional that would like to further their career in Advertising.  They’re all employed by Central Florida’s Ad Agencies, Media Outlets, and various other types of companies that all share the same passion for Advertising.  I was able to toss around a few ideas with fellow colleagues that I never would have met without Ad 2.  It all felt more like a happy hour with friends than a networking event.

After learning about the upcoming Ad 2 Orlando season I’m excited to roll up the sleeves and get to work again, make it out to a conference and hear seminars by long-time professionals in the field, fill that warm-fuzzy void by helping out a non-profit, and come on… Kickball tournaments?  I’ll dominate a kickball tournament.

-Dave Waring, Ad 2 Orlando Sponsorship Chair, and Account Manager at WOM-XFM Mix 105.1

A Private Screening Of Art and Copy — Review

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In early November, Ad 2 Orlando hosted a private screening of Art and Copy for advertising and design professionals and students. As someone in the design field, it was great seeing all of the ways design has “broken the rules” and has transformed over the years. From the simplicity of the “Think small” beetle ads to the colorful iPod silhouettes, this film is inspiring and informative and helps you understand that advertising is more than just “art and copy.”

We were reminded that great advertising makes food taste better and aspires to illuminate. It goes beyond pretty pictures and key words, it is about making a statement! Over all, Art and Copy was truly inspiring and I strongly suggest anyone interested in how these two components work together see this film.

Brenda Defoe, Graphic Designer

Progressive Communications Design Group

New Members Do Breakfast

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Hi, my name is Jon and I’m an alcoholic. Oh, wrong meeting? Sorry. Hi, my name is Jon and I’m a new member of Ad 2 Orlando.

The Ad 2 Orlando new member breakfast at Panera Bread on Lake Eola took place a few weeks ago and was a great introduction to the club. I showed up right on time (ok, about 40 minutes late) and there was still coffee and bagels left. I’m thinking: I like these people already. The other new members that I met came from agencies, printing companies, advertising vendors as well as a few freelancers and everyone seemed excited to be involved, including the Ad 2 board members who were there.

I received my Ad 2 member certificate and membership card and got to talking with a few of the board members who told me about the committees that I could get involved with. They also told me about the annual “Ugly Sweater Social” event coming up on December 11th at Vintage Lounge. I’m looking forward to attending my first Ad 2 social as a member and, naturally, it’s for a good cause.  The club will be collecting toy donations for a local charity that provides holiday gifts to underprivileged children.

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

2009-2010 New Year Kick Off Event

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Ad 2 Orlando and the American Advertising Federation-Orlando (AAF-O) started the new organizational year off right with its New Year Kick Off Event at Brix in downtown Orlando. The event was a lively opportunity for both AAF-O and Ad 2 members to come out and meet the organization’s new board of directors, network with their fellow members and enjoy an evening of entertainment, drinks and fun.

Jen Gammichia and Yeosh Bendayan enthusiastically greeted all members as they arrived for the first social event of the year. New members to register for Ad 2 or AAF-O enjoyed membership discounts and a free T-shirt. Also, Brix kindly donated everyone’s first drink for free along with some yummy appetizers.

Everyone also had the chance to sign up for committees within both organizations — but don’t worry — you can still sign-up. Just email president@ad2orlando.org to request info about committees for Ad 2 Orlando and jon@aaf-orlando.org to learn about joining committees for AAF-O. Committee members will get the opportunity for hands-on involvement on upcoming activities, charities, events and aspirations for the upcoming year.

The evening was documented by Craig Brooks of Orlando Guest List, and he didn’t miss a moment as he snapped pictures while guests socialized, mixed and mingled. Photos are currently posted on Ad 2 Orlando’s Facebook page. Check it out and see for yourself the fun and excitement that was had by all who attended! All in all, the New Year Kick Off Event was a huge success! We were glad to see everyone who came out to support Ad 2 and AAF-O. Stay tuned for information on the next Ad 2 Orlando event!

– Amanda Corrao, Administrative Assistant, Saab Training USA

Our great turnout!