News

Brandcenter Students Place in Caring for the Caregiver Hackathon

First year Brandcenter student Sharon Lee (XD, 2021) and second year student Andrea Owens (XD, 2020) participated in the 5th annual Caring for the Caregiver Hackathon on a team coached by Thea Pepperl from the VCU School of Engineering.

After 24 hours of brainstorming and creativity the VCU team placed 2nd bringing home $2000. In addition to the cash prize they have received a commitment of corporate sponsorship for their idea: an app for first-time caregivers, New Boots.

Brandcenter Alum Troy Gary (CBM, 2017) interviewed on We Are Next Podcast

Brandcenter alum Troy Gary (CBM, 2017), Director of Brand Strategy at Playboy, talks to We Are Next wants us all to create the environments we want to work in. Hear about how his early experience in sales and account management has been valuable, making sure we’re not talking to ourselves, fostering better relationships with senior leadership, why it’s smart to ask about an agency’s new business strategy in your interview, and the reasons behind his decision to take on a new role at Playboy.

A Heavy Dose of Holiday Magic From BarrettSF

With the holidays around the corner, Jessica Sugerman (AD ‘17) Kevin Albrecht (ST ‘15), and their team at barrettSF in San Francisco worked on the new holiday commercial for Cost Plus/ World Market - be sure to grab your tissues.

When you hear “Black Titanium”, what comes to mind?

For Jack McNamara (CW ‘18) and his team at McCann NY, it definitely wasn’t an advertisement for the New York Lottery. Jack and his team imagined that it could be the name of an intense heavy metal band. For serious heavy metal fans, check out their Black Titanium Spotify playlist.

Professor Kelly O'Keefe: Celebrating the arts and humanities

Creative Brand Management professor Kelly O'Keefe writes about the importance of the arts & humanities.

Allie Carr (CW, 2018) joins independent agency Erich & Kallman in San Francisco

2018 Brandcenter copywriting alum, Allie Carr joins independent agency Erich & Kallman in San Francisco office.

Making ads is the least of what you gain from the degree

It showed me how to think like an entrepreneur and how strategy is the key to success in any business you dive into. It taught me that you need to differentiate your product and message to be successful.

Rudy II: He’s Colonel Sanders Now

Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, but we’ve got a good feeling about this one. Check out this new work for KFC from Katie Willis (AD, 2015), Ryan Snyder (CW, 2015) Jarrod Higgins (XD, 2010), Britton Taylor (ST, 2001), and their team at Wieden+Kennedy Portland. 

Team of Brandcenter Alumni at Arts and Letters Creative Co. creates inspirational new work for ESPN

You probably know Arts & Letters best for their Google work, but here’s some work for their newest client, ESPN. The A&L team included Blair Seward (AD, 2015), Elizabeth Daniel (CW, 2015), Albert Song (AD, 2015), Martin Madriaga (CBM, 2018), Jessica Sartoretto (CBM, 2013), Andy Grayson (ST, 2003), and Charles Hodges (CW, 2009.)

Brandcenter alumni designed the new Reese’s Puffs cereal box

Patrick Newman (CW, 2016), Rob Stone (AD, 2015), and their team at Erich & Kallman designed the new Reese’s Puffs cereal box. Follow the directions on the back and you can create your very own pair of actual reality googles. 

Slay Like a Mother featured on The Today Show

Katherine Wintsch (ST, 2001), author of Slay Like a Mother and founder of marketing consultancy The Mom Complex, joined Hoda Kotb and Maria Shriver on September 5th, 2019 to share advice for moms on how to stay present and manage expectations as a parent.

Stacy Thomas Elsbury featured in The Capitol Communicator

Check out this great profile on Stacy Thomas Elsbury (ST, 2001). Stacy is Founder and CEO of Good Run Research & Recreation. Find out what she’s most proud of, why work doesn’t have to feel like work, why research doesn’t have to be boring, and what’s on her Spotify playlists.