LAC Students attend the AAF RDU Leadership Summit – Advertising Tunes up in Rough Times

Without question, the economy and current global events have caused us to re-examine the world we live in from several different aspects. Industry professionals from Ogilvy, Howard Merrell & Partners, McKinney, Capstrat and Craig Jackson & Partners bring to us the inside story on advertising discussing traditional media, recession, strategy, branding and understanding cultural trends held at the AAF RDU Leadership Summit on Wednesday, November 18. Living Arts College – School of Communication Arts joins in with 18 students to hear from top advertising executives in the triangle. The main presentation was filled with lively, relevant discussion on advertising. LAC Instructor, Vince Gardner and School Director, Debra Hooper asked very poignant questions about how these companies are differentiating and parsing the new social media landscape.


“Newspapers are not dead, they are more customized.” - Kathy Pepper, Ogilvy
Is traditional media important given the major web trends in marketing and advertising? Kathy Pepper from Ogilvy discusses newspapers and their place in modern and digital media. Though newspapers appear to be a more primitive outlet for the news her opinion is it will remain, yet will be more customized.
Managing a recession in advertising requires strategy. Some key points the panel discussion board provided include: Investigate how you are investing; Acquire new accounts and tap into new industries; Build your business and reinvent your brand; Ensure clear communication and team morale. As for instance, are you sticking with the trends going “Green”? How does your target market consume media?
“Clients all want more for less.” - Donna Mercer, Howard Merrell & Partners
Clients will always want more for less in a struggling economy. Donna Mercer from Howard Merrell & Partners suggests diversifying a department to accommodate a Clients’ need and, in turn, business grows. You have a unique opportunity to get them to give you a try. Know your Client, and design your advertising to appeal to them.


Simplifying complexity, a good reputation, innovations, strategy, marketing, teamwork and execution are all important aspects to consider when choosing an agency which is why branding is important as well as a diverse portfolio. Focus on all aspects of your business not just cash flow.
“The concept of “flat” organizational business structures and professionals being agile, flexible and versatile were other key points of discussion. The upcoming BA program in Interactive Media Arts is designed to meet the challenge of training students to be “business creative social marketers” in today’s ever-changing digital landscape! ” - Matthew Kelly – Assistant Director of Education
Now let’s talk about creative and media strategy for the recession! Mobile social marketing is not only a current and “big idea” trend it has had a great impact with corporations. Students entering into advertising should have working knowledge in digital media, good work ethics, and real world experience, write well and integrate this into every day life to stand out in the crowd.
“I thought the Summit was very interesting and informative. It was a great networking opportunity and a great chance for anyone looking to break into the industry.” - Holly Rowland, Current LAC Student
All presenters could not stress enough the importance of new professionals being digitally savvy and having a passion for their trade. Virtually most businesses can make it in a thriving economy, but only the best businesses make it during the tough ones. Success happens when we focus on managing our assets, ourselves, employees, clients as well as keeping up with the trends.







--------------------------
Debra A Hooper
Vice President/Director
School of Communication Arts
@ Digital Circus

LAC Graduates and Students Join Forces with Local Studio and Magazine

Living Arts College (LAC) is proud to announce that five graduates and students joined Creative Force Studios as they produce a brand new television show designed to spotlight local area nightlife.
Creative Force Studios in collaboration with Social the Magazine will premiere a new television program “Social in the City.” The first episode is set to air December 5 at 7:30 p.m. on CW22. The show highlights the trendiest “hot spots” offered in the Raleigh-Durham area. Interviews will be conducted with local and national celebrities, fine dining restaurants, upscale clubs and bars, along with the local “fashionistas” to demonstrate Raleigh-Durham’s marketability among the nations’ “hottest cities.”
The graduates and students of LAC, Eric Njoroge, Jessica Barfield, Billy Orlando, Blake Godfrey and Josh Baker joined the production crew as camera operators, production assistants, lighters, gaffers, etc. They will embark on a journey with the show’s host Donna Maria as they travel from one location to another aboard the “Social in the City” tour bus.
The graduates and students were on location with Creative Force Studios to start the production November 20.
For more information regarding future productions of “Social in the City” visit www.creativeforcestudios.com or contact media partner, Social the Magazine at www.socialthemagazine.com.

--------------------------
Debra A Hooper
Vice President/Director
School of Communication Arts
@ Digital Circus

Distinguished Advertising Creative to Deliver Graduation Address at Living Arts College

Michael Winslow, Creative Director/Brand Visualizer will deliver the graduation address at Living Arts College’s fall commencement Thursday, December 17.
The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the College’s Stars Theatre. Following the ceremony will be the viewing of graduate work and demo reels.
Mr. Winslow has been a Creative Director and Art Director for 30 years. He has won numerous national and international awards, including Gold and Silver Pencils from the One Show, Art Directors Club of New York Gold Medals, New York Film Festival Awards and the Steven E. Kelly Award for the best magazine campaign in an international competition. His work has been recognized by the One Show, CA Annuals, Clios, Graphis Magazine, ADWEEK, AD AGE and PRINT.
Mr. Winslow began his career at McKinney & Silver in Raleigh, NC as the agency emerged to become one of the early national and international powerhouses of creativity outside of New York. While at the agency, he helped build strong branding campaigns for North Carolina Travel and Tourism, Piedmont Airlines, Benihana, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Fannie Mae and GoodMark Foods.
Mr. Winslow was a partner and Creative Director for Rockett Burkhead & Winslow (RBW) where he developed differentiating and successful brand stories for Duke, GSK, Volvo Trucks and CORT. During this time, RBW became the largest independent agency in the Southeast.
As an Art Director, Mr. Winslow was named one of the top 100 young people in advertising by AD AGE MAGAZINE, twice named to the ADWEEK All Creative Team and recognized for outstanding creative by the London International Awards.
Mr. Winslow is a graduate of East Carolina University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
Admission to this special session is by invitation to anyone interested in working in the design arena that might benefit from high level input. Families of the graduates of the School have an automatic invitation. Others may simply phone the School at 919.488.8504 to reserve an invitation.
Red Carpet Seminars feature some of the world’s leading professionals in filmmaking, digital imaging, audio production, game development and interior design. Seminars announced as schedules permit.

--------------------------
Debra A Hooper
Vice President/Director
School of Communication Arts
@ Digital Circus

When Your Networking Gets Rusty

“If I didn’t go to LAC, I would have never had the opportunity to work on this project”, says Ryan Harmon. The pilot premier of The Rusty Bucket Kids Club: Adventure of the Magic Glasses Movie was held at Living Arts College (LAC.). Friends and family of the cast and crew, un-deterred by the rainy night, filled the Gallery to see the first post production viewing of John Demers’ TV pilot. Local actor and producer, John Demers, graciously addressed an audience of cast and crew for the experience of working on this project with them. “It takes a great amount of talent, time and dedication to bring such a vision to the big screen and I couldn’t help but be prideful as the credits rolled of how many LAC students are credited for their contributions to the film,” said Karen Hemphill, staff member at LAC.





















As mentors, we always encourage students to participate in events related to their industry. The Peak City Film Festival, located in Apex, is just such an event. Tickets for film were sold out for days and according to the website, a limited amount tickets were re-released for Friday night’s Feature Film “The Rusty Bucket Kids Club: Adventure of the Magic Glasses Movie”. Available tickets went for $50, twice the original price. “Sold Out” may have disappointed some, but our students can associate the press coverage project within their demo reel and resume.
The power of the network that extends from LAC once again can be exemplified by this event. Talking with student, Ryan Harmon, we revisit his path to opening night. Audio Instructor, Craig Brandwynne, understands the integral value of his network as a creative professional and demonstrates this understanding and its value to his students every day.
“JD, producer John Demers, asked Craig if we would do the audio on his film. Craig extended the invitation to us (his students.) I am a musician and songwriter scheduled to graduate next month with my degree in Audio. In August, I wrote The Last Ride, the ending song that plays while the credits roll. I played both banjo and guitar while G.W. Pierce sings. The Album debuted at the Peak City Film Festival and I will earn royalties too!” Ryan adds excitedly there at the end.
Ryan’s involvement didn’t end there and subsequently more students became involved with the project, Kord Chandler and David Pruitt to name a few. LAC students are credited for their contributions to location and post-production audio.
It is well understood that if you excel in class you will be recognized by the industry and opportunities will come to you. Who is in the Industry? Well, arguably we all are. The moment a student enrolls in the Audio program a students degree of separation from successful working individuals is reduced to the power of two maybe three. With hard working faculty pushing students to be the same, students can take great pride in how their names made it to the credits rolling before an audience on opening night.

--------------------------
Debra A Hooper
Vice President/Director
School of Communication Arts
@ Digital Circus