News

An inside look at what it’s like to work on a Super Bowl ad

VCU Brandcenter alumni share their stories of creating commercials on the ad world’s biggest stage.

Brandcenter alums’ startup launches insurance platform for freelancers

Jade (XD, 2014) and Hannah (AD, 2014) Sullivan recently started Pogo Insurance to assist the underserved market.

The New York Times Made a Simple, Powerful TV Spot About Reporting Sexual Harassment.

Julie Matheny (CW, 2009), Tim Gordon (CW, 2008) and their team at Droga5 made the powerful “He said. She said.” spot for the New York Times that aired during the Golden Globes.

How Do You Turn an Ad Into a Meme? Two Words: Dilly Dilly.

Brandcenter alums Alex Ledford (CW, 2012) and NJ Placentra (AD, 2012), senior creatives at Wieden + Kennedy, came up with our new favorite catchphrase for Bud Light.

Rachel Mercer named to Forbes' 30 Under 30

Brandcenter alum Rachel Mercer (XD, 2012), SVP, Head of Digital Strategy and Invention at Deutsch, was named to Forbes' annual list in the Marketing & Advertising category.

Brandcenter alumni team's hilarious video response for Carmax goes viral

A team of Brandcenter alumni who now work at McKinney, including creative director David Sloane (CW, 2009) who stars in the video, was behind Carmax's viral response to the guy who created a video ad for his girlfriend's '96 Honda Accord.

Forbes' startup of the week: Skillshare

Brandcenter alum Michael Karnjanaprakorn (ST, 2005) founded Skillshare, an online learning community, with the mission of using technology to democratize education and learning for people globally.

Alum Charles Hodges (CW, 2009) launches Arts & Letters Creative Co. with Google as its first client.

Led by founder Charles Hodges (CW, 2009), a collection of VCU Brandcenter alums and two Martin Agency vets have come together to start a new Richmond-based ad agency, with one of the world’s tech giants signed on as its initial client.

Here are the Brandcenter alums at Arts & Letters:

Albert Song (AD, 2015)

Jon Jon Hirsch (AD, 2016)

Stanley Leon Hines Jr. (XD, 2017)

Shawn Hurley (XD, 2017)

Conor McFarland (CW, 2017)

Sam Case (CW, 2017)

Geoff Castillo (AD, 2015)

Danielle Young (CBM, 2016)

Ian Fairbrother (CW, 2005)

Andy Grayson (ST, 2003). 

Five principles for launching a TV show

Alum Katie Acosta (ST, 2012), BBH LA's senior brand strategist, explains how to make a new show must-watch, even when dealing with audiences inundated by content.

‘Build your village’: Alum Shameka Brown-Barbosa shares advice and thoughts on the industry ahead of 3%

Excellent article/interview with Brandcenter alum and creative director Shameka Brown-Barbosa (CW, 1999) on navigating a career in advertising as a mom and a person of color - and what she is doing to help.

Shameka will be speaking at the 3 Percent Conference this week, Nov. 2-3 in New York.

Three Brandcenter alums named to The Drum's 50 female creatives under 30

Danielle Walton Delph (AD, 2013), Marybeth Ledesma (AD, 2012), and Mo Lockard (AD, 2015) made the list that is celebrating women across the country who are putting themselves - and their cities - on the map via their creativity and achievements.

My career in 5 executions: Red & Co's Mira Kaddoura

From Nike to Google, Red & Co's founder creates work that inspires for brands that make a difference.