Dear Future Content Intern

Dear Future Content Intern,

    Now that the Launchpad internship is drawing to a close, I can officially say I kind of know what I’m doing. It took a little bit of trial and error to get the hang of it. So let me save you the trouble and share my seasoned expertise with you.

    You are not simply creating social media content for projects assigned to you, but you are also responsible for the Launchpad Blog. You assign, write, edit, and manage the content for the blog. More importantly you must understand and write according to the voice of the blog. This was probably the most difficult part for me, not simply because I had to find it myself, but because I also had to also communicate that to my fellow interns. To help explain, I’ve attached past blog posts that illustrate each point I’m making.

1. Be imaginative - As interns of a full-service digital agency, our primary objective is to be imaginative in everything we do. And that includes our work for the blog. Take ordinary office topics and reimagine them in a way that hasn’t been done before. Maybe you found a conversation with your mentor particularly inspiring and want to share. Or maybe taking  selfies in different locations in the office seemed like a great idea and you wanted to write about it. Find your inspiration. Be creative. And write to your heart’s content. 

2. Cater to the audience - We aren’t writing for the folks that run Fortune 500 companies. We are writing for ourselves and for our peers. I bet that as you were scrambling to get ready the night before your first day on the job, you were scrolling through the Launchpad blog. Remember yourself then and think about what you would have wanted to read. Would you want to read about the last dip in the stock market or why playing volleyball with your co-workers is awesome? Yea, I thought so.

3. Be casual and conversational - Since we are targeting our peers, we need to write as if we were talking to them. This rule not only applies to your writing style, but also the format through which you want to tell your story. This is where your personal brand can come to life. Save the “thou” and “whilst” for another time and express yourself through memes and GIFs if it feels right. You already got the position, so let there’s no need to continue to impress with formalities. Instead dazzle with your unique perspective. 

4. Tell a story - Perhaps the most difficult part of the blog is remembering to engage the audience through storytelling. You need to reign in your creativity and construct it, not only imaginatively, but also coherently. Tell your story from beginning to end, always asking why? Within an agency there are so many stories to tell, whether that’s the transition from intern life to agency life, the first week of Launchpad to the last week, or the concepting process from brainstorming ideas to giving the presentation. Find your story, ask yourself why you are interested in writing it, and WRITE.

5. Tie it back to HLK - While this may be the most obvious, it still needs to be said. This blog celebrates your creativity, but there must be some connection back to HLK. You can’t simply write about your last Chipotle burrito because it tasted good. Maybe you discovered that a Chipotle burrito is really a metaphor for the diverse talent in the office (the Creative team is the guac that’s bursting with flavor while Account Management is the tortilla keeping everything together). Whatever you decide to write about, make sure it somehow reflects the culture at HLK as well as your personal experience and the lessons learned. 

    You are a reflection of the agency and are given an opportunity to have direct contact with others to express your personal experience as an intern of HLK. This is your chance to teach, tell a story, and exercise your creative abilities in anyway you choose.

May the creative force be with you.

Sincerely,

Current Content Intern

Let's Talk About Coffee

As an out of town intern, there's tons of ways to explore the city whether that's through their speciality shops, markets, and parks or variety of bars. But I spent most of my time trying all the different coffee shops St. Louis has to offer. Since I came to St. Louis to do work, I often brought my work to the coffee shops when I needed a break from the office (or that one time when the AC broke and the office felt like a hot yoga studio…) I discovered that each of the different coffee shops catered to a different step in the creative process.

Kayak’s Coffee - Brainstorming

Located near Wash U’s campus and Forest Park, Kayak’s Coffee is rustic and homey, inviting customers to relax and unwind. Perfect for daydreaming and getting lost in thought, I found myself cozying up in the corner of the cafe brainstorming ideas for our campaigns. Between the aroma of freshly ground coffee, the inviting nature of the cabin interior, and the refreshing bite of the ginger tea I tried, my brain became a fountain of ideas.

Park Avenue Coffee - Creative

But every fountain of ideas must have a filter. And for that, I found myself digging into work at Park Avenue Coffee. Tucked away near Lafayette Square, this cozy coffee shop is the perfect spot for small gatherings or some peaceful time alone. Not only am I a huge fan of their iced coffees, but they are also home to the Food Network featured Gooey Butter Cake. A little sugar rush might be exactly what you need to get those creative juices flowing.

Blueprint Coffee - Execution

When it’s time to execute on those crazy good ideas, there’s no better place to go than a cafe that serves coffee in science beakers. Located on the Loop, Blueprint Coffee is just a step away from lots of other shops and restaurants. The cafes interior, which celebrates minimalistic design and lots of natural light, encourages the young professional or student or HLK intern to focus on the task at hand with a piping hot cup of science coffee.

Goshen Coffee - Crunch Time

Just a parking lot away from HLK, Goshen Coffee is the perfect place to get out of the office, by barely leaving the office. And when it’s crunch time, a parking lot length walk may be all you have time for. Don’t be deceived by their small setup next to 4 Hands Brewing Co., the staff is highly knowledgeable about the coffee they brew, giving you that caffeine fix to push through those final creative meetings or into the wee hours of the night.

The HLK Kitchen - Final Touches

It’s presentation day. Everyone is scrambling to implement last minute changes into the powerpoint, to straighten their ties, and to take a quick breath before presenting weeks worth of work. One last cup of coffee might be just what you need. Luckily HLK’s very own kitchen is always stocked with coffee, accompanied by an assortment of creamers, hot chocolate packets, and endless jars of goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth. It may not be fancy, but it does the job.

The Secret to Winning a Spot at HLK

The secret to getting a great internship is that there is no secret. Lots of time must to be spent researching a company and revising your application materials. Luckily, there are just a few things that you need to focus your time on to maximize your efficiency and walk into an interview prepared.

Attend the Career Fairs:  “Career fairs are the first step in the recruiting process. If you’re interested in working at HLK, this is one of the best ways to have face to face time with recruiters and get your foot in the door. It also gives us the opportunity to connect with students who show that they are interested in the industry and demonstrate a passion for learning,” says Meredith Osborn, HR director at HLK.  It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sea of booths and employers at career fairs. Contact your career center to get a list of which companies are attending and do your research.  Make sure to do your homework before approaching any recruiter; this is your chance to make a great first impression.

Be Versatile: The ability to adapt and evolve your skills on a consistent basis is key to being a team member at HLK.  Meredith says, “We look for reliability,  ambition, trainability, social skills, time-management and self-management. We look for students that can gain these experiences in and outside of class. For example, handling school and a consistent involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrates your time management, which is highly valuable in an agency.”

Perfect your Resume and Portfolio:  Since HLK receives hundreds of applications and recruiters talk to numerous students, the best way to stand out is with a resume and portfolio representative of you. “While grades are important, leadership capabilities and involvement in extracurriculars make a candidate particularly noteworthy,”  says Meredith.  “In terms of portfolios, those applicants that take the time to build their own site with their own personality are the ones that really stand out.”

Prepare for your interview: HLK looks for applicants that not only perform well on paper, but also in person. Meredith values candidates who are capable of making insightful conclusions as well as demonstrating a curiosity about the company itself.

1.     Research: “Show me that you’ve done your research; do some background history and look at our case studies. Be able to make connections between your portfolio and HLK’s digital work.”

2.     Questions: “Ask questions about the agency, but don’t be afraid to also ask about the specifics about the job. I appreciate when applicants are transparent about what they don’t know and are capable of showing me how they are willing to learn these things.”

3.     Body Language: “Body language, such as direct eye-contact, nodding, and leaning in, all tell me that a person is a great communicator and would do well when working with clients and establishing relationships.”

Be Persistent: HLK looks for candidates that are able to effectively network and create relationships. While you may feel like you are being annoying, Meredith values applicants who demonstrate their interest by reaching out directly to her. “Don’t wait for us to come to you. Taking this extra step shows us that you are interested and determined.”

Be HLK: Finally, HLK values a person whose work ethic and values align with those of the company. “Above all, we look for fit with our core values: Be Brave, Be Curious, Be Thoughtful.”

While the task of applying to internships may seem daunting, remember that everything you need, you already have. It’s simply a matter of organizing your materials, understanding and communicating your talents, and presenting your passions in line with the mission of HLK.

Madmen vs. HLK

There was a part of me that expected my first day at HLK to be Madmen in the modern world. The suits. The drinks. The 60s. But of course the 2015 version where there would be fewer cigars and typewriters and more quinoa and iPads. I knew that advertising was evolving with the rest of the world, but I assumed that the fundamental nature of advertising would be about the same, in which the competitive atmosphere trumped all else. I imagined that to succeed in advertising you not only had to be talented but also aggressive and opinionated. My perception of what interning at a full-service digital agency would be like was completely skewed towards what media--and essentially advertising itself--persuaded me to believe. I thought that ad agencies were supposed to be a cutthroat industry full of pizazz. Within a week, however, I realized that HLK is none of those things. Minus the pizazz of course. And maybe the drinks if we’re being honest.

http://theredlist.com/wiki-2-17-1483-1492-1496-view-drama-profile-mad-men.html

From the open space office environment, to the booths and couches that welcome work throughout the building, to the fact that employees engage with the company’s partners on a daily basis, HLK fosters a sense of community in which employees work and encourage each other. Company-wide and individual success are aligned in a way that fosters a dynamic environment in which no one person can, or wants to for that matter, take credit for the success of a project. Don Draper, however, taught me otherwise. His doors were rarely open, he didn’t show respect to his employees, and the hunger for money and success suffocated the possibility of creating the cooperative work environment that exists today at HLK.  

The Ad Infinitum Interns, myself included, have quickly come to realize the importance of that sense of community and how it encourages a more fluid collaborative process. You are quickly engaged in the energy of HLK, consumed by the task at hand and the diverse people around you, including creative, media, research and analytics, account management, strategy, and content.

HLK is made up of a dynamic group of people.  Not only in terms of fashion sense--because style here ranges from blazers to flip flops, sometimes daringly fashioned in the same outfit--but more importantly in terms of personality and skill. Everyone has their “thing” and are encouraged to utilize their passions in a way that not only benefits the client but also reflects upon the eclectic and energetic community that is HLK.

Don Draper ain’t got nothing on us.

How Summer Camp Helps Transition Into Agency Life

I, like many college students, worked at a kids summer camp. Being a camp counselor has actually been directly applicable to my experience as an intern. Here’s how:

1.      Be Yourself. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Whether that’s singing crazy camp songs or coming up with an out there advertising concept, you need to be true to yourself. Defend your ideas and, as people in HLK always say, “Be brave.”

2.     Learn How to Manage.  Whether that’s managing fun activities for over 100 kids to managing timelines with your team, learn how to coordinate effectively. By doing this you can deliver an outstanding kids talent show or a brilliant campaign pitch. 

3.     Always Be Prepared.  Everyday is a new day and you never know what to expect.  Whether a kid falls off the monkey bars or someone needs your help finishing a project that is due that day, always be prepared for anything. Tip: Bring your gear. Camp: Med kit, water bottle, and walkie talkie. HLK: Mac, pencil, and notebook.

4.   Use Your Imagination.  This should be a no brainer.  Keeping kids entertained for eight hours a day takes a lot of imagination - let’s color, let’s play soccer, let’s go on a nature hike. You constantly have to come up with new ways to keep them entertained. Agency life is no different. You’re given a creative brief and challenged to find the appropriate research and to strategize accordingly to create a campaign in line with your client’s needs. Use your imagination! The sky’s the limit.  

5.     Be Positive.  A great attitude in any work environment goes a long way.  Whether that’s smiling even though it’s raining at camp or dealing with a stressful situation in the middle of creating a campaign, always have your game face on. Hint: Your game face is a smile (teeth shown).  So, ask if you can help with anything. Go the extra mile. Stand out.

Meet Ad Infinitum

Courtney Cooper

Carpe the heck out of this Diem

Account Manager: I’m in charge of organizing, scheduling, and making sure our team stays on task and budget for our campaign. I’m the “mom” of the group. I make sure everything runs smoothly.

Surai DeJesus

Make it aesthetically pleasing.

Art Director: My job as an Art Director includes solving creative problems and making things pretty. I just happen to love using the word aesthetic a lot.

Kaylan Cemelli

Short & sweet.

Copywriter: The copywriter is not a legal position as some think, they are responsible for writing all of the copy in the advertisements, digital and traditional.

Alec Hurteau

Full of ideas so you better not get any.

Media Planner: My job is to research appropriate media platforms while identifying the audience our clients hope to reach. From there I am able to effectively plan and buy media spaces that will establish a recognizable brand presence among the desired audience.

Eric Marcus

re-Searching for the truth

Research & Analytics: My job is to help provide the team with an informed perspective on who to target and how to reach that target audience. All conclusions I arrive at must come from objective, data-based research.

Andy Painter

I'm Andy... not Jeff.

Strategy: Coming up with a path for the team to follow in an action oriented way.

Michele Popadich

Read. Write. Coffee. Repeat.

Content Developer: Aside from this blog being my baby, I am responsible for creating and managing social media content in line with the strategic marketing plan.

Lexi Hurt 

 Always finding the wonderful in today

Account Manager: My job is to make sure our team is well organized. I am in charge of the schedule and keeping our team on task. I am responsible for building close relationships with our clients as well.

To Infinity and Beyond

Months after finding out we were accepted into the HLK Launchpad program, July 6th couldn’t come soon enough. Together, the eight of us were chosen out of hundreds of applicants.  We couldn’t believe that we were given this opportunity.

We came from all over the U.S., each bringing our own knowledge, experiences and backgrounds. At first, we were nervous. We didn’t know each other, but somehow became comfortable within one day of meeting. Some groups just click. Luckily, we’re one of them.

Our first assignment was to name our team. We brainstormed, and brainstormed, and one thing stood out: we loved the space theme. So, after lots of options ranging from Sirius to Comet, we finally landed on “Ad Infinitum.”

Not only was the name appropriately space themed, but it also spoke to us as individuals. Its literal definition is “continue forever, without limit.” As college students or recent grads, we’re just launching our professional careers. But, as our group name suggests, our adventure has only just begun.

We’ll continue forever, without limit; that’s the idea. So with this concept in mind, the eight of us came together and formed a team with a focus on our future. While we work toward our goals and focus on our dreams, we’ll always remember to do it without limits by going above and beyond. 

Our logo reflects this concept. During our creative process, we loved the idea of combining a spaceship with a circular shape, representing a journey that never comes to an end.

Months from now, we’ll find out just how limitless we are.

We hope you enjoy reading about these next six weeks as much as we enjoy informing you about our highs, lows, and everything in-between. It’ll be a wild ride, but that’s why you’ll enjoy reading about it. So stay tuned, because you never know what’ll happen next.

Liberal Arts Segues Into Advertising

Here’s my confession: I have never taken an advertising class before. As I approach my junior year in undergrad, I am filled with the same anxiety over finding a job as are many humanities majors. The texts I’ve read and discussions I’ve had in my liberal arts classes have been utterly fascinating, but there is always a bit of doubt as to whether I will be prepared for today’s competitive job market. I was nervous on my first day at HLK that I would be hopelessly behind those who had specifically studied advertising.

This has not been the case. As a media intern, I have found that there is a significant learning curve of terms and processes. While learning the language around media has been an intimidating process, I am picking it up quickly with the help of my mentor. But life in an agency is much more than a common language of industry terms. It is all about collaborative, strategic thinking.

More and more, HLK is recruiting from majors other than communications or advertising. Because they have departments like research, analytics, and web development, it is natural to reach more types of educational backgrounds to fill these roles. While I thought that studying psychology would be only abstractly useful, I have found it incredibly applicable to sketching out psychographics, understanding demographics, and developing metrics to assess the effectiveness of a campaign.

I would encourage future interns to be confident in the tools that the liberal arts have armed them with. Don’t worry if you’re not a formal student of advertising—it just takes a little bit of extra work and eagerness to learn! Computer science translates to web development. Economics could lead into strategy. Statistics would be wonderful preparation for analytics.

The agency atmosphere is wonderful for the kind of intellectually curious students that love the liberal arts because there is always something new to learn. As new projects come in, they each present challenges in how to communicate most strategically. HLK even offers weekly webinars on all types of skills that relate to digital marketing.

I have learned that the ability to think strategically and solve problems is a common denominator across the many departments at HLK. And with the guidance of my wonderful and experienced mentor, Nick Holmes, I am quickly picking up what it means to work in media planning. I am living proof that the liberal arts are valid preparation for a career in an agency like HLK. 

First-day Nerves: What to Wear at HLK

By: Laura Harvey

The morning of my first day at HLK I was mildly paralyzed in my closet, trying to strike a balance between looking professional and artistic. I settled on a nice dress and casual, summery heels. 
When I arrived in the lobby of HLK, I was greeted by two of my fellow interns who had arrived even earlier than my thirty-minute cushion that I had allowed. They were wearing business professional elements like dress shirts and pants, but no ties. I felt okay. But then the fourth intern arrived in a full suit and a surge of anxiety told me I would appear too lax. 
Turns out, I struck a good balance on my first day, but I was still nervous. Here's what I've learned in my short three weeks on the job that will help shield you from any blush-worthy moments. 
 

On your first day, make an effort.
It will always look favorably on you to have dressed up rather than down, but our mentors made it clear that we could be more casual the rest of the summer. For Day 1, all you need is a nice dress or perhaps a blazer. Most people wear business casual with a creative edge on a day-to-day basis.
 

Know how to dress for the occasion. 
At HLK, the work environment is incredibly creative and ambitious. And the style follows suit. The agency is growing quickly but remembers its roots. The partners seem to really trust their employees to make the right choice when it comes to their work and their dress. But this means that you need know when to bring your A-game. That means dress nicely for client presentations, but on your own time, you can be comfortable. 
 

Bring in personal touches; it's okay to be funky. 
The fashion choices here are not cookie-cutter: personal preferences shine through. Artistic prints, Birkenstocks, and graphic tee shirts are commonplace. Being in the digital agency world means to be on the cutting edge of what's happening in media. Most of the people in the office seem to dress in a contemporary fashion that implies they understand current cultural trends. 

With these tips, you should be ready for your own first day at HLK. With this first hurdle overcome, you can focus on bringing your passion and energy into your work. And maybe on remembering your coffee. 

An In Depth Look at Your 2015 Scallywags

Here are your 2015 Cycle 1 Launchpad Interns, otherwise known as the Scallywags. Why Scallywag you ask? Because we are a band of misfit creative thinkers, that’s why.

Click on our pictures to learn more about us!

Hey! My name is Becca and I’m a 20-something recent college grad trying to join the big people workforce. I love anything gold, all types of coffee, and one white wine.

Hi, my name is Laura and I’m constantly resisting adulthood. When I’m a grown-up, I want to be a writer/strategist/publisher/professor/researcher/therapist/lawyer. You can tell I have it all figured out.

Hi, my name is Sean. I'm 23 years old, a St. Louis native, and currently finishing my Bachelor's degree in Advertising with an emphasis in writing. Nature, art, good friends, and an Android device are all I really need to get by. 

Hi, my name is Michelle! I love animals, Christmas, and Modern Family. I tend to online shop more than I should and have a soft spot for anything in the pasta family.

Greetings, my name is Timothy Hykes and I am a native of St. Louis, Missouri. I love typography. You may call me a lettering nerd because I do enjoy the art of drawing and letters.

Hey! My name is Ben and I love sports, I love the outdoors, and I love going to new places. I was raised in STL so I naturally have an affinity for my hometown. I like advertising because I love coming up with new ideas and hearing other people’s.

Meet the 2015 Cycle 1 Interns

Our Cycle 1 interns start on May 18th. We’re pretty pumped.

Account Manager: Michelle Doering

Favorite Food: Macaroni and cheese, hands down.

Why HLK? I’ve known about HLK for a couple years now, and after speaking with a few employees I knew it was an agency I could see myself working at. I really appreciate the company culture and dedication of the employees.

Favorite Animal: I’m a huge animal lover but I’d have to say dogs are my favorite.

Role Model: It may sound cheesy but my role model is my mom. She’s very passionate about “networking” for everyone she knows and truly puts others first. I admire her greatly for her generosity.

Dream Superpower: If I could have a superpower it would be to make anything I want appear. I think it would come in handy.

Michelle on LinkedIn

Strategist: Benton Eskelsen

Favorite Food: BBQ Ribs

Why HLK? I applied to HLK because I have friends and family who currently work their and they spoke very highly of the agency and I also really was impressed with their work while I was researching internships.

Favorite Animal: Gorillas

Role Model: Walter Payton

Dream Superpower: I would want to be able to read minds.

 Benton on LinkedIn

Copywriter: Sean Prindiville

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken

Why HLK? Launchpad was interesting to me because of my positive and formative experience during a practicum at HLK in 2014. I really felt comfortable but also challenged in the environment, so the prospect of expanding on that was exciting to me.

Favorite Animal: I do love African Geese. This was hard, because I'm definitely an animal person.

Role Model: One of my chief inspirations is Cheryl Cole.

Dream Superpower: My superpower of choice would be the ability to make plants grow at will. You know, a Poison Ivy kind of thing.

 Sean on LinkedIn

Art Director: Timothy Hykes

Favorite Food: So I am a big fan of St. Louis style Chinese food (or as I like to call them rice houses), sherbet ice cream and tacos!

Why HLK? Will let me first state that I didn't know of HLK. I was introduced to the company by Rob [Hutti, Art Director at HLK] who attended the AIGA student conference as a mentor. There he gave me some really valuable feedback on my portfolio and suggested that I apply for the internship. After researching the company and talking with a few individuals in the field I decided to give it a shot. What do you know I made it! Oh my God I am so excited!

Favorite Animal: Lion

Dream Superpower: The superpower I would choose is flying. Flying would give me the opportunity to fly to many different destinations. Being in these destinations will create new and invaluable experiences for me.

 Timothy on LinkedIn

Content Developer: Rebecca Grandidier

Favorite Food: My favorite food is sushi. Or all the food. Really though, I'm not joking.

Why HLK? I applied to this internship because it seemed as if I would learn an extreme amount of information that will help me in my future endeavors. It seems like an amazing place to work with wonderful people to work with.

Favorite Animal: My favorite animal is a shark. It always has been. Well, besides my dog Luke my favorite animal is a shark. The goal is to one day swim with them like some of the people on Shark Week get to do.

Role Model: My role model would have to be a friend of mine from back home. She has set out to be the best she can be at what she is doing and she is achieving it and more in such a short amount of time. Before you know it she will be the CEO of Target. I guarantee it.

Dream Superpower: If I could have one superpower, it would be to hear dogs talk so that I could always know what is going on in my dog Luke's head when he decides to whine at me for no reason or if he is ever sick or hurt I would be able to know exactly what's going on.

Rebecca on LinkedIn

Media Planner: Laura Harvey

Favorite Food: CHEESE- any kind, I love it all. 

Why HLK? I really wanted the chance to be part of a team and learn a lot this summer!

Favorite Animal: I’m pretty obsessed with my own dog because she is a sass master.

Role Model: I really look up to my high school advisor because she taught me so much about life-long learning. She inspires me every day to expand my world view by reading and writing as much as possible.

Dream Superpower: I would love to be able to time travel so that I could meet all the authors and thinkers that I admire. And I would want to pop over to Paris in the 1920s.

Laura on LinkedIn

Digital Skills are the Key to Your Advertising Career

According to this graphic from internships.com and General Assembly, there is a major gap between the digital skills that today’s ad agencies are looking for and the skills that entry-level employees and interns have. Lucky for you, HLK wants to help YOU close that gap. 

Here at HLK, we focus heavily on digital. We design and develop websites, mobile applications, digital tools and so much more. Our interns leave the Launchpad program with the skills they need to begin to compete in this tech-savvy job market.

Check out the cool graphic below, and consider being one of the 63% of students that pursue digital and technical skills outside the classroom; and start by checking out HLK’s Launchpad program. 

Where Are They Now? Quasar

Nick Holder

Nick Holder is currently living in St. Louis, MO, and is a creative intern at Fleishman Hillard. He credits the skills he learned during his time as a copywriting intern in the Launchpad program, such as collaboration and learning, with making his daily experiences useful and informative.

 “I've learned a ton from people who have been in the business for longer than I've been alive, so I'm thankful to Launchpad for encouraging me to not be afraid of asking questions.”

Emily Lowery

Emily is currently finishing up her senior year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is continuing to learn through her courses about project management and writing. The research and analytics internship gave her the skills she needed to be able to define success in all of her projects.

“Launchpad and HLK helped me develop so much professionally and I highly recommend applying!”

Lauren Blankenship

Lauren is currently living in St. Louis, MO, and is on the hunt for full time work while working as a server at a sushi restaurant. Working with Japanese cuisine allows her to constantly learn new things. The content development internship taught her how to communicate effectively with others – a skill that comes in handy when interviewing.

“I also learned to always find something to compliment, even if it's something very small. I've found that this is helpful in every aspect of my life, not just work.”

Stephanie French

Stephanie is living in St. Louis, MO, and working as a Marketing Coordinator for Abengoa Bioenergy, an international company headquartered in Spain with an office in Chesterfield, MO. She has had the opportunity to travel often, speak other languages, and work with an agency to develop a campaign. Her experience on the agency side allowed her to have creative insight into developing good relationships while working for the client.

“At HLK, each of the partners and account managers made sure to connect with their client in some way. I continue to see the value that has as business happens in our organization.”

Jenny Travers

Jenny is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, in preparation to work in strategy and account planning. She thoroughly enjoys being a teaching assistant and helping other students realize their goals as she has. She continues to build upon what she learned as a strategy intern while studying topics like consumer behavior and interactive advertising.

“The turnaround for our intern projects was quick but very realistic for how fast turnarounds are in the ‘real world.’ I'm thankful for that because I've learned how to work quickly and efficiently.”

Where Are They Now? Nebula

We caught up with the Launchpad interns from this past summer to see what everyone is up to! Our interns go on to do some great things and we are so happy to share their achievements. 

Lindsay Wolfgang

Lindsay lives in St. Charles, MO, and works in Employer Relations in the Career Center at Lindenwood University. She is also working on her MBA in Marketing. Her favorite thing about her current position is sharing in the excitement of students as they make the transition to post-grad life.

“I learned a lot at HLK that I have taken over to my new job. Teamwork is something that I had to learn when working with five other interns and is something I value.”

Miranda Lopez

Miranda is currently living in St. Louis, MO, and working full time as an Assistant Account Coordinator at Mortgage Returns. She loves being the “grease between the wheels” and learning about every department. The communication and teamwork skills she learned during Launchpad’s account management internship help her work effectively with clients and deliver projects on time.

“Launchpad was a big part in me landing this job because my experience was a perfect fit for them.”

Liza Poskin

Liza is living in Columbia, MO, while she finishes up her senior year at the University of Missouri. She hopes to pursue a career in public relations after graduation, and credits her experience with Launchpad as having a significant impact on her ability to give effective presentations.

“My time at Launchpad was such a great experience and taught me so many things about advertising and working at an agency that I will carry on to the next stage of my professional career.”

Phil Azar

Phil lives in St. Louis, MO, and is a Market Research Analyst at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He communicates demographic data to potential advertisers and helps them figure out how to best reach their target markets using some of the problem solving skills he picked up during his time as a strategy intern in the Launchpad program.

“My experience in Launchpad allows me to understand the brand and agency's perspective in the conversation, so I can work more thoughtfully and thoroughly.”

Molly Gingrich

Molly showed up at HLK in May 2014 and never left. She currently works as the agency’s Proofreader/Quality Assurance Specialist and frequently updates the Launchpad blog.

Justin Tolliver

Justin Tolliver has been freelancing for HLK over the past few months and will be joining us full time on December 1st! He’ll be shooting videos and designing content for websites and social spaces. We are thrilled that he likes us enough to stick around at our St. Louis office. 

Stay tuned to read about what Team Quasar is doing these days! 

So You Want to be a Launchpad Intern? Part 5: Introducing the Media Intern!

Ladies and gents, this day will go down in Launchpad history because we are oh-so-excited to announce our new addition: the media internship.

This internship may be for you if…

·      You are a huge people person and love cultivating and maintaining good business relationships.

·      You want to work in a creative environment but aren’t a designer or a writer.

·      You love TV and radio and chatter incessantly about media.

The Launchpad media intern will learn about solving problems for clients within their media budgets. You’ll learn to be a problem solver and approach any situation with a can-do attitude.

Jill Gainer, Media Director

The best way to capture the attention of Jill Gainer, our Media Director, is to express your interest in learning via your resume and cover letter. Many different backgrounds can make for a good fit in media buying and planning, so don’t count yourself out if you don’t immediately think this is for you; the most important aspect of being a good media intern is enjoying working with people and having a great attitude. 

So You Want to be a Launchpad Intern? Part 4: Strategist

Right about now, you may be asking yourself, “What is a strategist?” It can be kind of a difficult thing to define, to be honest – but it can also be an extremely rewarding position, so if you’re not afraid of a challenge, read on.

Erin Knitter, Director of Strategy

Strategists help clients identify business objectives (examples may be higher sales or more visits to the website) and figure out how to solve problems using strategic communication. Still a little confused? In a nutshell, strategists engage in the whole process of advertising and make sure that everything we do is on target to solve our clients’ problems. They are always up to date on the latest technology, like to read up on industry news, and love to collaborate with many different departments.

But what makes a good strategy intern? Our Director of Strategy, Erin Knitter, is here to tell you how to make the cut for a challenging position.

When it comes to cover letters…

•  …show that you’re a problem solver and that you can be resourceful. If we had all the answers right off the bat, we wouldn’t need strategists; showing that you can use information at your disposal to gain insight into how to solve a problem will make you a good fit.
• …try to get something across that you couldn’t in your resume. Don’t just list off your experience and accomplishments again. You are more than just bullet points on a resume, and you should show that you can think strategically.
• …show that you are teachable. Since strategy is a developing field within the advertising industry, it is more than likely that as a student or new grad you won’t have direct experience. Show that you’re smart and that you’re willing to learn.

When it comes to resumes...

• …keep it concise. One page only please, and make sure the organization is clearly organized. You don’t need to have a fancy design; since part of what strategists do is think about user experience, a visually clear resume can speak to that strength.
• …make sure that your resume matches your LinkedIn profile, although you can expand on some of the information on LinkedIn. When Erin sees a resume she likes, she’ll often check LinkedIn looking for more information on your experience.
• …get some LinkedIn reviews, if you can. Having someone speak to how great you are is always good, though not a deal breaker if you don’t have any.
• …post any projects you’ve worked on that show you can think strategically. Since many different experiences can translate over to an internship in strategy, showing the types of work and thinking you’ve done can prove your stellar strategic abilities.

Strategy is a very challenging, yet integral role in the advertising process; it influences everything we do. It helps us bridge the gap between a good campaign and a great one, which is what we at HLK strive to do for every one of our clients.

If you’ve done a lot of writing, enjoy solving problems and are infatuated with technology and user experience, then you can gain a lot from a strategy internship, no matter your college major. 

So You Want to be a Launchpad Intern? Part 3: Account Manager

With every project we produce at HLK, you had better believe that there is someone working behind the scenes to communicate with the client, manage timelines and track progress – and that’s where our account managers come in!

Account managers are highly detail-oriented, organized and effective communicators. It takes just the right kind of person to stay on top of a lot of projects and to manage time well, and if those are strengths you see in yourself, then the account management internship at HLK might be for you.

Toni Edinger, Senior Account Manager here at HLK, works with clients such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Monsanto. She’s also one of the account management intern mentors, and (luckily for you, future account manager) is happy to give advice on how to get noticed! 

Toni Edinger, Senior Account Manager

First of all, Toni’s number one rule is that your resume and cover letter have absolutely no typos or mistakes. This rule comes up a lot, and for good reason. Arguably the most important quality that an account manager can have is an eye for small details. They communicate directly with clients on a daily basis, and making sure we present our best work is of the utmost importance.

Toni will frequently check LinkedIn profiles as well, so it’s always best to have yours totally up to date. A nice professional picture and clear organization of information can go a long way. Since you’re entry level, don’t worry if you don’t have a ton of experience – try and show how the experience you do have can translate over to an account management internship.

On that note, a cover letter is a great place to tailor your experience to the position you’re applying for as well. How have your experiences shaped you into who you are, and why does that make you qualified?

You don’t necessarily need to be an advertising or communications major in college in order to be an account manager. If you’ve studied business, marketing, journalism, psychology or sociology and are a big people person, you can definitely excel in an account management internship. (Not to mention that working at HLK is really fun – just check out the #hlktoday section of our website if you need proof.)

So You Want to be a Launchpad Intern? Part 2: Creative

Calling all copywriters and art directors! 

Although there’s still quite a bit of time before Launchpad applications are due, that means for creatives, it’s time to start working on those portfolios now.

In honor of the fact that Dave Mikush, Associate Creative Director here at HLK, and Meredith Osborn visited Creative Circus in Atlanta for a portfolio review last week, we decided it’s time for some tips for creatives when it comes to resumes, cover letters and, yes, creative portfolios too.

Thanks to Ross Bradley (also an ACD) and Dave for the great tips – check out what they’d like to see from potential copywriting and art direction interns below!

Creative Resumes / Cover Letters

1. When it comes to creative positions, having an objective on your resume is key. Dave and Ross suggest being clear about your commitment to either copywriting or art direction right off the bat.

Dave Mikush, ACD

2. Be honest about your skill set. If you’re an art director, you should distinguish between proficiency and working knowledge when it comes to programs used regularly in these positions.

3. Don’t be too cute. Having a consistent personal brand is nice, but you don’t need to overdo it.

4. Be creative, but also communicate the important information. If you can get across what you’ve learned in your experience while still making it interesting to read, that’s awesome.

5. Use your cover letter to show that you know what kind of work the agency does and why you are a good fit. Convince Ross and Dave that your portfolio is worth looking at – they’ll see a lot of them so you need to stand out.

Creative Portfolios

1.     First and foremost, if you’re applying for a creative position, you MUST have one.

2.     Website or PDF? When you’re applying online, sending a link to a website is fine. If you go to an in-person interview, a PDF or a physical book is better. The order in which you show your work is very important.

Ross Bradley, ACD

3.     If you’re going to show a physical book, make sure you pay attention to detail and that it is finely made.

4.     You should open and close strong. Your best pieces should be first and last.

5.     You don’t need to show every piece of work you’ve ever done. You should show the kind of work you want to be doing, and you should pick your best stuff. Five great pieces are better than ten mediocre ones. Creative directors know when you’re proud of your work – and they also can tell when you’re not.

6.     Avoid having a portfolio full of only one-offs. Ideas are the most important thing, and creative directors want to see that your ideas can create a whole campaign.

7.     If you’re a writer, it doesn’t hurt to have an art director design some of your work for you (Ross and Dave are both designers and appreciate visually appealing portfolios, even from writers), but don’t sweat it if that’s not possible – the idea is still the most important thing.

8.     If you’re a designer, do your best to incorporate different design styles and show a breadth of work. 

9.     Try to show different brand voices, whether that is being communicated through design or copy.

10. As always: PROOFREAD! 

There are also tons of great resources on the web for help in developing a creative portfolio. It’s a long process that will take some time, but trust your gut and love what you do, because it will show.

Keep watching out for more tips on applying for other Launchpad positions! You can view our first post, So You Want to be a Launchpad Intern? Part 1: Research / Analytics, here.  

Career Fair Coverage: SLU Part 2

Yesterday marked the first time I went to a career fair not as a job seeker but as a representative of the coolest agency ever! I had a great time chatting with everyone who stopped by our table about HLK’s culture and the Launchpad program. It was not even a year ago that I first met HLK employees at my own school’s career fair so I know how stressful, yet exciting those initial introductions can be. I can’t wait to see some of the students Meredith and I met apply for the program!

There were plenty of great candidates in the mix coming from majors like business, communications, marketing and even psychology. Many students are familiar with the roles of copywriters, art directors and account managers, so I spent some time explaining a little bit about what strategists, content developers and researchers / analytics managers do here at HLK. From what I heard, lots of you are interested in learning more about those roles because they may fit a lot of interests that have been typically associated with other positions. Like I told everyone I met, keep checking for updates on this blog – we will be posting detailed descriptions for each intern position closer to the application due dates!

For an easy way to keep up to date on any new info, make sure you connect with Meredith Osborn, our HR Director, on LinkedIn as she frequently posts about job openings here at HLK and any updates to the Launchpad internship program. 

Thanks again to everyone who came! 

Career Fair Coverage: SLU Part 1

HLK is at SLU's Career Fair until 4 pm today at table G-11. Come and say hi (and grab a lollipop)! Meredith and I are so excited to meet you. 

Meredith Osborn and Molly Gingrich at the SLU Career Fair