I was first introduced to that term by a former flame when I was talking with him about my interest in many aspects of marketing [design, media, PR, accounts, photography] and how I am studying at multiple universities to round out those skillsets. He replied snidely with a “jack of all trades but a master of none” remark. As irritated as that made me, since then it has encouraged me to seek out my focus. Although, to my credit, the previous studying and practicing I have done has helped me greatly today. [So, HA! former flame.]

When I take a look at some of my favorite hobbies, websites, time wasters, interests, skills, and ideas there are common themes:

Technology – For Christmas and birthdays I have always begged, borrowed and bartered for gadgets.

Digital – I have been on the internet since 1996 and AOL’s gift of 50 hours of free usage. At the time, I had no clue how I would use up all of those hours and now the idea of paying for a program such as AOL seems archaic!

Interaction – I am a social bug and need to make every instance a party. If  I don’t talk I am just storing up my words to bore you with later.

Innovation – If it’s new and shiny I want to know about it… better yet, I want to own it and be an expert at it.

I am relatively young and moldable but I can say, with much confidence, my future lies in marketing communications focused primarily within a consumer’s digital and mobile platforms with an emphasis on emerging social media. This focus changed nearly a year ago when I started working with Bay Area News Group on their mobile campaigns and in my research/ planning discovered the possibilities in reaching consumers through their mobile devices.

However, the key is creating a conversation. How can we create adverts that engage consumers and encourage them to interact? Whether they are using a cell phone, camera, printer, reader, car… we have consumers attention, our goal is how to keep it. As technology enhances so do the possibilities. I am SO excited, are you?

What are some common themes from your life that define who you are now or where you want to go? Do you have a schtick?

Great brand marketers are comfortable with ambiguity. They realize marketing is a balancing act — it’s numbers and detail, but it’s also flair and vision. It’s qualitative and quantitative; analysis and intuition; perspiration and inspiration. Great marketing requires the balance of both sides of the brain. But the balance has been lost.

- Tom Hinks, Our Biggest Brands Can No Longer Be Managed by Nerds

Name: StepChange Group

Location: Portland

Website: http://www.stepchangegroup.com/

Clients: Nestle, Match.Com, Gold’s Gym, Southwest Air…

—Yesterday I blogged all about the luncheon that I attended called “Marketing in Facebook” and today’s post is all about the agency behind the discussion.

StepChange’s mission is to “Partner with brands and agencies on Social Marketing strategy, development, measurement and management.” Basically, they create innovative campaigns that rely on social networking and from what I understand… mostly on facebook. You know that small change of $50 million that Pepsi was taking away from traditional media? Well they are the type of agency who Pepsi would go to. I love the idea of the agency but didn’t really see the profit in it… until yesterday. I had no clue I was limiting facebook to status updates. Honestly, the social media possibilities are endless.

Why I like StepChange: They are creative and innovative in an area that is relatively unknown and under appreciated. Social media is hard and hardly talked about like a commercial on the Superbowl. Also because their area is difficult to measure they have to win clients over by without solid numbers to back them up. Let just say, their work is cut out for them.

The moving experience from California to Oregon was… traumatizing, to say the least. Between the 11 hour drive, movers from hell and saying goodbye to my 9 years in California I am a bit worn out. The good news is I have made it to Portland, my furniture is some where between the Silicon Valley and the Silicon Forest and the weather is absolutely beautiful it still feels like I am living in San Jose.

To keep with my transition theme I am reworking my online presence as well. Between my main homepage, photography and design pages they are all being revamped and prettied. Also, this blog (the one you are reading right now) won’t be updated daily like prior to the move. Instead I am going to be shooting for multiple times a week and pushing the smaller posts to my tumblr account (danidotnoah.tumblr.com). Tumblr allows me to quickly reblog my favorite posts from all of my blogs that I subscribe to on google reader and is a lot easier than transfering it and making it look nice for here. Instead, this blog is going to be strictly my words and thoughts. Of course I will recommend you follow both but as long as you are connected to my twitter (@danidotnoah) you should get a reminder of updates.

Outside of online, I am still on the search for a full time brilliant job. I am looking for account management opportunities within advertising agencies or brand management within businesses. In the meantime I am fine tuning my skillset and networking whenever possible.

I can’t wait to share about some exciting events I have been apart of  recently and continue to update you as I go from in transition to settled. Portland is a welcome change regardless of being unable to pump my own gas!

In less than a week I will be in New York for the first time and get my first hint of whether I like the city or not. But one thing is for sure, strategy is a direction I definitely want to pursue.

…

New York, NY, United States

Summary of Position
We seek an entrepreneurial professional to help build the new Brand Design practice at R/GA. This practice is redefining brand language within the context of the digital age.  This role will work collaboratively with creative, technology and strategy professionals, and partner with the Director of Brand Design.
Responsibilities
This person will be responsible for helping shape and articulate the offering, its competitive differentiation in the marketplace and how it can help clients achieve the goals they establish for their brands. This professional will get inside of existing R/GA client relationships and mine for opportunities, develop and present ideas to win business, and serve as the client partner on newly-won engagements. In addition, there will be opportunities to go after new clients through RFPs, etc.
Requirements
The ideal candidate has a deep routed understanding of brands, a proven track record in delivering effective business strategy and ideally experience in Branding and an understanding of Digital. Since we are looking to redefine Branding in the Digital Age, it is essential that this individual be an experience in both. In fact, the ideal candidate may have spent some time working inside of a brand, or, branding company, product development companies, as well as Digital agencies or Web 2.0 businesses. This person will be conversant in all things brand: architecture, portfolio, communication, planning and research as well as strategic business analysis such as creating ROI models. We need a combination of left-brain creativity and right-brand strategy, like the best management consultants who can come up with creative solutions to real business problems and opportunities. Because of R/GA’s unique multi-discipline team-based approach, demonstrated ability to work in collaborative work environments is a must.

Side note: In prepping for this blog I was on the search for images to display and found a couple that were too good to not share.  My main header is from Indexed, possibly one of my favorite blogs and below are the others found via google images.

[Please contact me directly if images are needing to be removed info (at) daniellenoah (dot) com]

My college graduation has come and gone with all of my family and friends to take witness. I am very thankful for the opportunity to go to college, let alone for something I enjoy studying. But more importantly, I am grateful for my family who have supported me since Neuroscience and told me I can be who ever I want to be as long as I do it well. Also for my friends who have given me joy within the madness. I couldn’t have done it if it were not for them.

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Name: Creature

Location: Seattle

Website: http://www.welcometocreature.com/

Clients: Burgerville, HBO, JanSport, MSN, Nike, Nordlund…

…

If you haven’t seen their website yet I recommend checking it out. After all it is one of the main reasons I crush on this agency.

Immediate reaction to their website is it is unique, engaging and fun. I sit and watch the tiles twirl and go through every page to see what I can find. After those 10 minutes pass it is the that keeps me glued in.  This small agency is not afraid of risks or, my favorite, COLOR! However, what it is most engaging about Creature is their ability to think big. A large percentage of their portfolio is promotional creations and installations. I think it takes big thinkers and doers to be able to successfully pull of what their team has.

My last term of undergraduate work is underway and the projects are rolling in for completion.  This week marks the end of my studio photography’s “Glass with Attitude” project.  We were to select a clear glass object and create a unique setting for it. My favorite image is below and by the end of this week I will put up my top 5.

Underwater never looked so good but first I would like to give a shout out to Nemo for making it into another image of mine, this time in plastic form.  You’re my boy, blue!

But just as my love for Walmart grew, I too began an agency crush on The Martin Agency. Their Walmart commercials have a perfect balance between sentiment and humor like this past Christmas’ collection.

But what really captured my heart was when I found out they they are behind the FreeCreditReport.com commercials. I love those commercials. They are quirky and catchy but most of all when they get stuck in my head, I’m not annoyed!

If you have some minutes, look at their website. They are endearing and entertaining.

We want to fill our building to the brim with the most talented people in the industry, and we are always looking to meet experienced, senior-level professionals in all disciplines. And it goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway) that attracting interactive specialists is one of our highest priorities.

You don’t need to have a degree in advertising. You don’t need an MBA or PhD. You don’t need to tell us that you were editor of your high school yearbook in 1994 (but by all means let us know if you were voted “Most Likely to Succeed” or “Best Looking”).

You do need curiosity and energy. Dedication and integrity. Enthusiasm. Originality. And a big healthy serving of joy.

We want you because your unique background and perspective allow you to speak to the broad audiences we reach. We want you because you listen to the challenges of clients and coworkers and instinctively become part of the solution. We want you because you are intelligent, inspiring, and refreshing.

And it wouldn’t hurt to get some fresh talent on the agency dodgeball team, so if you’re especially scrappy or have a great arm, make sure to include that too.

Can’t wait to meet you.

Crush on, my friends, crush on.

PS. Another favorite:

Everyday, more and more, I feel as though my soon to be career in the Advertising world is mimicking my dating life.

Guys come and go.  Some dates are ok and others are awful.  I haven’t quite found my match. Granted each night is memory filled and something I will soon laugh over but in the moment, it is draining.

I should just know what my type is and what I am attracted to but instead I enjoy crossing all bounds and getting my feet wet in different areas.

And just when I think I’ve met “the one” my family or friends come along to tell me I can do better!

I have been told you should just know if you are creative or management. But what happens when you enjoy both?  Photography is my medium, color is my life… I get lost in the art and captivated by the execution.  I, also, always wear all black or mismatch as many colors as possible… if that isn’t a creative, I don’t know what is! On the opposite side, I love working with clients and people.  Public speaking is a skill that my parents branded into me as soon as I can talk.  I can manage and bring out the best of people.  My latest growth, staying calm under pressure and creating an environment that is conducive for growth.

The above doesn’t even begin to describe my dilemma of finding my advertising mate. But like most mothers teach their daughters, “you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince.” Since pushing boundaries and taking leaps is what I do best, why settle now? I will continue my search (and self growth) until I find the right fit, mom/dad/professor/friend approved!