Today's speaker is John Alabaszowski,
BACKGROUND
- Graduated from New Media, Ryerson University
- Worked in lots of places before (Small, Medium and Large Agencies)
- Freelanced two years there in MacLAREN McCANN, then turn into full time
- Worked in MacLAREN McCANN for 7 years so far
ABOUT MACLAREN McCANN
- Is one of the biggest advertising agencies in Canada
- Largest clients: GM, RBC (Masters cards), 649 lotto Max, etc.
- Has multiple locations, specializing in: social media, auto shows, video production, in-house video/audio, retail ads, and online digital components.
- Has multiple offices, including Toronto (400 people)+Calgary+Vancouver
- Lots of allocation opportunities
SOME WORK DEMONSTRATION
The trend of digital components starts working traditionally on web design, then turns into e-commerce, and then now is more related to social mobile and tablet design.
GM.ca
- Over 500 pages
- Not the most beautiful design, but smart on the back end building it
- Consider Flash/non Flash Experience
- Using Google Map features
Sonic
- Traditional websites
- (Chevrolet):Orlando
- Based on concepts what others say about the car itself
- Used in a more social media approach
Goodwrench Service
- Approaches: trying to build a good customer relationship between the service and customers
MasterCard (Social Interview Process)
- Done the whole programs through engaging students to join the Summer Internship Program
- Done through using social media like Facebook and Twitters to recruit users.
Camp Oochigeas
- A camp for children with cancer to experience what the summer is like outdoor.
- Core theme: Inspire kids to see the owls on the campsite in the city of Toronto
- Approaches: events, mail in packages, promotional videos
“THERE’S NO SPOON.”
- There are more components than just purely web, as there’s more social media stuff involved
- Be flexible and think boarder for your roles
- Lots of brainstorming for big projects, then passed the projects to specialists who are good at videos, audios, and websites
“HOW YOU GET TO DO COOL SHIT”?
- Freelance is different than full time jobs.
- Try to find a place where you feel like working.
- Different companies have pros and cons
- Networking
PORTFOLIO
- Have your own website
- Show the best work of it.
- Put your strengths in (Illustration/Photography/Web Layouts)
- Show passion in your work
- Have Linken/Facebook/Twitter
- Carry work with you in a USB.
- Online portfolio somewhere
- Be organized when you are presenting yourself
- Research the company you are interviewing with
- Ask for feedback
- What do you think about my work?
- What do you think I should improve on?
- Ask opinions of what others said?
YOUR JOB
- Do what you told to do
- Raise questions and be initiated
- Support art directors on big projects
- Ask questions and be a volunteer
OTHER ADVICE
- Go to the social events
- Don’t take the critique personally.
- Don’t take yourself so seriously.
- Enjoy your career.
CONTACT
Twitter: @johnnala
john.alabaszowski@maclaren.com
