The 7 B's

Early on we realized that rules and regulations don’t fly around here. We are used to stuffy offices that have strict dress codes and firm lists of what you can and cannot do, but that's not how it is at HLK. You can crack a beer open at noon if you want, crawl around on the rooftop when Janice isn't looking and ride a trike around the agency, even if - especially if - a client is here. We have a lot of freedom at HLK (which we are thankful for), but as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, with great freedom comes great responsibility. A sense of obligation balances out the freedom. That’s why Mission Control presented us with the 7 glorious "B’s" to serve as guidelines as we continue our journey at HLK and, most importantly, in life. Here are the 7 B’s that Lauchpad lives by:

1. Be Informed

It’s as simple as being aware of what is going on around you. Never stop asking questions and always fuel your zest for learning. Don’t forget to keep up with relevant trends and stay up-to-date with events that are happening in your neck of the woods.

2. Be Passionate

Always put your heart into what you are doing and take pride in what you have created. If you don’t feel strongly about or even like what you are doing, it will show. Find a way to develop a connection to your project and you won’t have a hard time letting others know about all the fantastic work you are doing.

3. Be Decisive

This one may be hard because you will always be faced with an excess of possibilities, but take control of the situation, make a choice and then roll with it. Once you make a choice, you will find a million reasons to back up your decision and not even think twice about the other one.

4. Be Optimistic

No one likes a Negative Nancy, so do everything with a smile! A smile is contagious in a work place, so if you smile and stay positive you are likely to spread those good vibes to someone else.

5. Be Thoughtful

When you work with other people, it is important to be considerate of their feelings and opinions. You don’t want to burn any bridges, so go out of your way to be nice and appreciate what they bring to the team. A simple pat on the back or a thank you goes a long way.

6. Be Independent

Sometimes it's easy being sucked into the group-think and mob mentality, but be an individual! Know what you are capable of and what you bring to a team. Your suggestions and abilities could be the difference between a so-so idea and an award winning campaign!

7. Be Brave

Probably the most important B, don’t be afraid of new challenges and opportunities! No top dog or superstar got to where they are today by playing it safe, so take risks and embrace change. That’s the best advice we can give you coming into this internship.

As all of our intern shenanigans are coming to a close at HLK, we will always have the 7 B’s to guide us as we move on to our next big adventures in life.

The Dogs of the Office

Meet the dogs of HLK.

They're the furry friends who roam the workplace and keep us company. Click on each dog's face to learn more about them.

Tips & Tricks for the Logistics of Living

Being the only intern this summer who is not originally from St. Louis, as I have mentioned before, I had a unique problem after I accepted my internship with HLK: where to live?

The internship is only six weeks long and this poses some difficulties for finding affordable, furnished short-term rentals if you’re from out-of-town. If you’re lucky, maybe you have relatives or friends who would be happy to have you stay with them. If you’re like me, those aren’t options for you. So what you need to be is persistent, and I’m here to help you. 

In my search, I noticed a few things that helped me locate a place to live and I’m also going to share with you the things that I wish I’d known!

1.   Tap into groups that you may be able to network with.

I was able to find my temporary housing through my sorority by contacting the SLU chapter. I’m now living with two of my sisters from another school, so we had a connection right off the bat based on our college experiences in different places.

2.   Many student housing complexes on SLU or Wash U’s campuses can help.

They may keep a list of residents that are looking for summer subleasers and can help you get in contact with some of them. The Lindell Strip, on SLU’s campus, will also offer 6-month leases for a little extra rent.

3.   Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. 

It’s not personal! When I set up my situation, I negotiated on price. It wasn’t awkward; my “landlord” knew my situation and that I was trying to keep my costs down. At the same time, I tried to be understanding of her situation as well and we eventually settled on a price that made us both happy.

Always remember to be careful on sites like Craigslist. There are some creeps out there, but most people do have good intentions. It may seem like a daunting task to find a place to live for such a short term on a small budget, but let me assure you that HLK is absolutely, one hundred percent worth it. Good luck, be safe, and happy hunting! 

Mission Control

I love to learn. I’m always seeking to absorb new information whether it is a newspaper article about recent stock market trends or chatting with my 13-year-old cousin about the pros and cons of Justin Beiber and One Direction. Turns out I’m a Belieber.

My zest for learning is why interning at HLK with their Launchpad program is a perfect fit for me.  The Launchpad program provides experiential learning within a market leading advertising agency. Each day I learn something new about advertising and then I am asked to apply that knowledge to our Launchpad projects.

My favorite aspect of Launchpad is our Mission Control. The Launchpad program places each intern with a mentor in his or her department, or as we call them, our Mission Control. The mentor-mentee piece of Launchpad creates a teacher-student dynamic that is more of a conversation and less of a lecture.  Our mentors offer guidance on our projects, bring us in to help on their projects and are always free to chat and dole out advice. 

As a strategy intern, my mentor is a seasoned strategist who may be one of the smartest people I have ever met, and I’m not just saying that to gain brownie points (but I’ll take them). She brings over 8 years of advertising and strategy experience, and is such a wealth of knowledge that I walk away from each of our 30 minute conversations feeling like I read a 300 page text book.

The role of strategy requires you to find all the pieces of the puzzle, put the puzzle together, and, then, question the puzzle to find what is missing. It is a role that can lead to dead ends, forks in the road, or get you completely lost in the middle of nowhere. While stitching together the strategy for On the Run (our first Launchpad project), I got a little lost trying to go in several directions at once. My first draft of the strategy was a jumbled mess trying to do too much. Luckily, my ‘Mission Control’ was there to ground me. She helped me narrow down a strategy that pinpointed the problem and exacted a solution. In that moment, my mentor taught me an important lesson of how to look at the entire puzzle without ignoring the individual pieces. For a guy like me, who tries to cram in as much information as possible, learning to hone in on the singular was a much needed lesson.

While the Launchpad program pairs each intern with a mentor, I can confidently say that everyone at HLK is a mentor. Everyone at HLK is willing to lend a helping hand and turn our questions into a learning experience.  In just 4 weeks, I have learned more about advertising and strategy than I did in 4 years of college. The Launchpad internship has definitely given me the tools to launch my career in marketing and advertising. 

We Love HLK Launchpad

Gratitude

Today the interns helped pick up and distribute Gus' Pretzels to surprise the staff with a tasty treat after an especially demanding work week. For some in the office, hours have been long and stress levels have been high, but hopefully a free pretzel lifted their spirits. 

The interns love to ride the office trike around whenever we can find an excuse to and today was, of course, a perfect opportunity to load up the trike basket with fresh-baked pretzels, cold soda and beer and parade around the office like a street vendor. Yes, our office has a trike and gives out free pretzels (and it's not even Friday!). I'm always noticing that the work environment here is too good to be true, but not just because of the fun atmosphere. Everyone here is just so... nice. 

It is impressive to see that the higher-ups at HLK really know the importance of showing their appreciation and gratitude for their hard-working employees. From day one, I have seen that people here understand and preach the value of mutual respect. Our first few days here were spent learning about each department of the agency and the work and responsibilities those team members tackle every day. It was a way of instilling appreciation for each department and recognizing that the agency couldn't function the same way without their role.

At HLK, there are frequently simple gestures and planned events that keep morale up, stress low and creativity blooming. Whether it is a staff luncheon, a surprise party for a coworker's 25th work anniversary, or even just an unexpected pretzel, there always seems to be something going on that makes people smile and lets them know they're appreciated.

Advertising is a demanding industry where clients expect the best work under tight deadlines, working overtime is anything but uncommon, and there is a constant pressure to break through the barriers to the next big idea. The culture at HLK eases the challenge. The gratitude that is constantly expressed in this office and the welcoming, pleasant culture are just a couple of reasons why HLK is a wonderful place to work.

5 Bars to Get the Creative Juices Flowing

I decided to suggest a few of the best places in town to spend your Happy Hour while also feeding your creative inspiration. I bring you, five Launchpad approved bars in the downtown St. Louis area:

1. Taha’a Twisted Tiki

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Photo by St. Louis Magazine.

4199 Manchester Ave | St. Louis, MO | 63110

The vibe: Say aloha to Taha's Twisted Tiki! This tropical oasis is a rum bar located in The Grove with a $4 shot menu to make you forget all about your worries at work. Looking for a more laid back? No worries! Taha's also has a variety of rum cocktails served in shark heads, Easter Island statues, and pineapple halves.

The Crowd: A mix of trendy Grove regulars as well as businessmen and women looking to kick loose and relax over some delicious run cocktails.

2. Planter’s House

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Photo from the Riverfront Times

1000 Mississippi Ave | St. Louis, MO | 63103

The vibe: As the premium bar of Lafayette Square, the mixologists at Planter's House have turned bartending into an art form. This bar is equipped with fuzzy wallpaper and multiple cocktail menus featuring custom creations and creative takes on classics. Indulge in new and old favorites while soaking in the upscale atmosphere.

The Crowd: Anyone from hipsters to seasoned bar veterans. Everyone in the Lafayette neighborhood usually frequents this popular St. Louis favorite.

3. Three Sixty Rooftop Bar

Photo from www.360-stl.com.

1 South Broadway | St. Louis, MO | 63102

The vibe: Sporting views of downtown, Three Sixty is a contemporary bar located in the heart of St. Louis. The rooftop bar is a unique venue with one bar inside accompanied by a DJ; and a second bar outside with fire pits, plasma screen TVs, and plenty of seating overlooking the city. Be sure to bring plenty of money if you come here because although their drinks are delicious, they are pricey.

The crowd: Get ready to see a huge following of Cardinals fans if you go on game day, but it's a great place to come out and get a drink with a view.

4. The Fountain on Locust

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Photo from www.jonwilliamson.com.

3037 Locust St | St. Louis, MO | 63103

The vibe: Embrace your inner kid with alcoholic milkshakes at the Fountain on Locust! Decorated with 1920's art decor and armed with a friendly staff, the Fountain is one of midtown's best kept secrets. The social servers will be happy to recommend customer favorites and even some off-menu items. The welcoming service, specialty drinks, and classic American eats will keep you coming back to The Fountain for years to come.

The crowd: St. Louis University undergrads and graduates can be spotted at the sweet bar, along with the occasional cute couple splitting a milkshake.

5. The Broadway Oyster Bar

Photo from reallifestl.com.

736 S Broadway | St Louis, MO | 63102

The vibe: A hometown favorite with an eclectic Cajun atmosphere, Broadway Oyster Bar is your destination for Mai Tais, Hurricanes, and their famous Horny Gators! This lively bar has a mouth-watering seafood menu and an outdoor patio where they play nightly live music. The Launchpad crew tried it out last week, and it made for a delicious lunch! The aromas of oysters, Mardi Gras décor, and happy bar-goers make the Oyster Bar a little slice of Bourbon Street in St. Louis!

The crowd: Anyone with a free spirit or a love for live music and great Cajun food!

The Right Stuff

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It is exciting being a part of something new. While there is definitely a lot to be done, it is thrilling to see our work have such an immediate impact. So when it was suggested that we, as interns, come together and think of a name to brand ourselves, the first ever Launchpad crew, I knew it needed to be a great one.

First of all, let me say what a ridiculously talented bunch this group is. Seriously, we’re talking valedictorian, after-school club starting, straight-A kids here. How I ever managed to hitch my wagon to their star, I’ll never know. And like the pros they all are, everyone works together as a team. I think it took us all of five minutes to land on the name Nebula - after all, it's WHERE stars are born. Perfect! 

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Being the art director of our little mini-agency, I felt it appropriate to spend some time developing a logo for Team Nebula. Given the context, I began thinking about all those custom patches NASA used to commission for the manned space flight missions and with that I was off and running. 

As much as I lived and consumed art as a design student, I’m still constantly amazed at the impact a thoughtful campaign can have on our perception of things. I’ll admit, when I first got the call from HLK I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Like most people who are about to graduate, I was just happy to hear the phone ring. The second I took a look at the packet they had prepared for me and saw that whimsical rocket with the words ‘Launchpad’ written underneath, I knew I was part of something special.

Now that I’m a few weeks into the program, I’m feeling pretty lucky to be here. You hear horror stories of internships that turn out to be a wash, but my experience at HLK has been everything I was hoping for AND MORE. Besides the one-on-one mentorship and firsthand experience we’re afforded everyday, each of us, with our own roles to play, are personally responsible for contributing to assignments. While it’s an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our individual skills, it goes to show that it takes a whole group to get it done. We may only be together for six short weeks, but when our mission is over and Launchpad is successfully off the ground, one thing is for certain - we did it as a team.

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Pitch Perfect

Once I joined the HLK team as an intern, I quickly learned the importance of teamwork, passion, and being punctual. When I first walked into the office, I was greeted by one of the happiest ladies I have ever met, HR Director Meredith Osborn. She showed me around the office, introduced me to my team, and briefed me on our first project. I had a team of people who were more than happy to give me a push into my role as the researcher. At first, I was extremely overwhelmed, considering I joined the team three days late. Nonetheless, I finally got to join team Nebula!

After three weeks of hard work and getting used to the company, it was time to present our first pitch. The afternoon before we presented, we all stayed extra hours in the office fixing every little detail in our project. Whenever we felt confident that our presentation was perfect, we found five more things to improve. Finally, around 7pm we all decided that it was "pitch perfect" and that we were ready for the morning. As I laid down that night, I couldn’t control my mind from racing. I was so nervous that it wasn’t going to be perfect or that something would go wrong. Despite all the nerves, I was so excited to be able to show our hard work to the On The Run team.

This was something that all my years in college and experience presenting led up to. This was our moment to show our mentors/client team what we could do as a team. We had an opportunity that most companies don’t give to their employees until they have been working for them for at least five years or more. 

The day of the pitch, I could tell that everyone was anxious and adrenaline was pumping. Miranda put on some music to calm our nerves and set the tone for our audience as they began filing in. Nelly's "Hot in Herre" (yes, "Herre") gave us the confidence we needed to let loose and have a little fun when presenting. We gave a fluid, strong presentation and took pride in everything we did. It was exciting to finally see all of our ideas come together in a real pitch. Afterwards, I was so proud of our team and the way we collaborated in three short weeks to produce a winning campaign. It was an amazing feeling to know we accomplished all of our goals all while being supported and encouraged by everyone at HLK.

From Chi-Town to The Lou

I’m the odd one out in this intern bunch, being the only one not from St. Louis. This past weekend, I set out to check out what this city really has to offer, and let me tell you: it’s a lot!

First stop: The Galleria

An amazing shopping experience with pretty much every store I could hope for. Having lived in Columbia, MO for the last four years, I forgot how much I missed Forever 21. Retail therapy is a real thing, I swear to you.

Second stop: Downtown Clayton

I had no idea that St. Louis essentially has two downtown areas. Clayton rocks! Lots of bars and food options make for an interesting night out. Many bars are in walking distance of each other, which makes for easy perusing around town through the night. Wheelhouse and John P. Field’s were two of my stops and definitely worthy of a recommendation.

Third stop: Ballpark Village

The current crown jewel of St. Louis is just as awesome as you think it will be. This past Saturday night, the band Reel Big Fish was playing the main stage in the center of the venue, and having never heard them before, I was thoroughly impressed. Although the drinks were on the expensive side, I was prepared for such and still had a great time.

Fourth stop: The Arch

A St. Louis classic! The panoramic views from the top are absolutely unparalleled. On weekends especially the wait to go up is going to be a little long, but you can take in a lot of the history of the Lou while you’re in line. It’s definitely a tourist attraction, but everyone goes up at least once.

Fifth stop: Broadway Oyster Bar

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Broadway Oyster Bar is one of their favorite places to eat in St. Louis. Our intern crew had a celebratory lunch after finishing our first presentation complete with a round of fun drinks. Being allergic to shellfish, I ended up ordering the muffuletta sandwich—absolutely delicious. It was huge and I ended up taking half of it home. The other interns ordered classic dishes off the seafood menu and said only good things. A stop at the oyster bar is a must when you’re in St. Louis. Make sure to bring cash, though—no separate checks here!

Sixth stop: Ad Club STL Event

Miranda already mentioned this in her blog post "Revolution and Reverence," but it's worth mentioning again. Our visit to Urban Chestnut Brewing Company provided me with a chance to take a look at some award winning work and inspired me to take a closer look at what the ad club in STL can offer me. St. Louis has not necessarily been the city I immediately think of when it comes to great advertising, but I am starting to realize how very wrong I have been. There is so much amazing talent in this city once you start looking for it.

I’d consider my first few weeks as a St. Louisan a success. This city has so much more entertainment, food and attractions that I can’t wait to check out. Stay tuned!

Revolution and Reverence

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  Beyond the ADDYs 2014 logo

We finally got to have our first beer on the job at Urban Chestnut in the Grove. A cross between a traditional German biergarten and a modern craft brewery, Urban Chestnut has created a “new world meets old world” approach to brewing. Equipped with a European-inspired, walk-up bar and an industrial factory vibe, the brewing company has become a patronage to revolution and reverence. The newly opened Urban Chestnut was the perfect setting for ad agencies in St. Louis to celebrate their award-winning campaigns at “Beyond the ADDYs,” a sold-out event put on by the St. Louis Ad Club. We were excited to get free access to the event and a free lunch, too!

Fresh off the Ameren new business win, HLK’s very own Joe Leahy gave the introductory address followed by presentations from Boxing Clever, Cannonball and Rodgers Townsend. It was an exciting opportunity as interns to hear first-hand how ad agencies formulate and execute a successful campaign, especially as we are in the midst of our own. We received rare insight from the creatives behind the campaigns which made us think and laugh, and inspiration that left us awestruck. As each agency gave commentary on their campaign and walked us through the creative process, we started to learn just how important revolution and reverence could be in this industry.

Coming in wide-eyed and fresh faced to the world of advertising; we are starting to learn that you need both revolution and reverence to be a successful agency. Of course, advertising is about revolution. No one gets to the top by staying the same. Changing our tools and thinking are necessary to any agency’s survival. Without it, we would be in the advertising graveyard of lost potential and hopeless causes. But you also have to never forget where you came from and always be inspired. That’s where reverence comes into play. Sometimes that just means coming together over a beer to celebrate ideas that are bigger than yourself, your agency, and maybe even the industry itself.

Welcome to Launchpad

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We’ve been a team for just one week, but the Launchpad interns are meshing and collaborating nicely. There are six of us: Account Management Intern Miranda Lopez, Art Direction Intern Justin Tolliver, Content Development Intern Liza Poskin (that's me), Copywriting Intern Molly Gingrich, Research and Analytics Intern Lindsey Wolfgang, and Strategy Intern Philip Azar. We have branded ourselves as team Nebula, named after the interstellar clouds where stars are born. We like to think we’re clever. Our mission is not only to help launch Launchpad and make a name for the program, but also to take on real client projects. Along the way, we are guided by “Mission Control,” or mentors from each department at HLK specifically assigned to guide and teach each intern.

In our first week, we went through a couple days of orientation and introduction to HLK before getting down to business. We got to meet the partners and learn a little history of The Hughes Group before it became HLK. We've met so many people already from all of the different departments and got the chance to sit down with each team individually to get insight into their jobs and a better feel for each department's role in the overall process. We've learned that in order to work together as a high-functioning team, it is important to understand what goes into each department's work. Learning about each position creates a level of mutual respect that helps foster group success. On our third day in the office, we got another chance to network at a fun and delicious lunchtime potluck. 

We are currently most excited/overwhelmed with the fact that we were given our first assignment for the local convenience store, On the Run. Our task is daunting, but full of possibilities. Team Nebula is up for the challenge and ready to work!

Keep reading to hear from each of the six Launchpad interns over the next few weeks.

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The Launchpad team pretending to be rockets after our first day in the office (not pictured: Lindsey Wolfgang).