More than a half-dozen leading industry organizations will join forces at Advertising Week 2011 to host Operation Inspire, a day of events for multicultural public high school students and their educators to showcase the opportunities and rewards in a career in communications and the arts.
Taking place in three separate sessions throughout the day on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the ADC Gallery, the events will include presentations and workshops led by dozens of agency professionals and recruiters designed to connect with, inform and excite a broad range of public high school students, principals, educators and guidance counselors from all cultural backgrounds.
Operation Inspire, Part 1, 10:00 am-noon
In follow-up to the successful Advertising Week 2010 screening of "Pursuit of Passion: Diversity in Advertising" (created by the 4As and VCU Brandcenter), this first session will introduce New York City public high school students to the field of visual communications, and feature inspirational stories from some of the industryʼs top professionals. The session will include lunch for the students.
Speakers: Emanuel Basnight, Leo Burnett; Zoe Bell, Publicis; Andy Deaza, McCann; Sybil Mulokwa, VCU Brandcenter; Lincoln Stephens, Marcus Graham Project and Rich Tu, illustrator.
Operation Inspire, Part 2, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
A workshop session to prepare students for applying to college. Industry recruiters and professionals from leading agencies will introduce students to the skills required to "brand themselves" as they start on their career paths.
Speakers: Tiffany Edwards, The One Club; Janet Kestin, Swim; Sybil Mulokwa, VCU Brandcenter; Jennifer Novak, Y&R; David Perez, Leo Burnett; Barbara Tejada, AKQA; Neisha Tweed, Publicis; Nancy Vonk, Swim and Haywood Watkins, VCU Brandcenter.
Operation Inspire, Part 3, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
The third session will introduce school principals, educators and guidance counselors to the breadth of career opportunities available to their students in the field of visual communications. Leading industry figures in creative, account planning, strategy, music and film editing/mixing will speak about the scope of work and exciting opportunities in advertising and marketing for multicultural students, and be available to answer questions one-on-one during a cocktail mixer following the event. Prizes are available to attending educators, including gift certificates for art and technology supplies and Adobe creative software, to benefit city schools and their programs. Cocktails will conclude this session.
Speakers: Emanuel Basnight, Leo Burnett; Hollis King, New Paradigm Design; David Perez, Leo Burnett; Alain Sylvain, Sylvain Labs, and Rich Tu, illustrator.
Students and educators interested in attending Operation Inspire can contact Flora Moir, director of education at ADC, at flora at adcglobal.org, 212-643-1440 ext. 16.