Gratias Tibi

About Sheridan College

It's too easy to say a simple "Thank You." Maybe a little touch of the Dead Language (Latin) might make it more heartwarming and worthwhile.

With a month left in the semester, it's about time we, the student, look back and remember the people that helped us along the way. A simple gesture can go a long way, and everyone who helped us in a span of a year deserve a call.

Colin Robey:

To the man who taught us that numbers are just as important as the message. When I signed up for program, I came in with the thought of creativity being the most important in relaying that whole campaign. You proved me wrong by showing and instilling the idea that "The Medium Is The Message" or "MEDIA IS THE MESSAGE." While the mini-tests were hell to deal with in the second semester, it goes to show your definition of TOUGH LOVE. In addition to your new baby boy, you have 7 other kids who look up to you as a dad in the classroom. Thanks for the lessons...and tips (#17 and still going!)

Annie Tarzi:

The defining figure in combining the BUSINESS and CREATIVE aspect of the campaign. Your professional input and experience in the industry is a huge factor in our future journey in the advertising industry. The classes were much more entertaining and enlightening with your stories and methods of teaching. Thank you very much for the lessons.

Yvonne Dineen:


That feeling when we know what is a good ad.

While very similar to media ethics, still very informative especially since I just moved from a different country. Different country, different standards. Thanks to your class, we got to know the different regulating bodies and the standards to what is classified as a good ad. Moving to the present, the IMC class perfectly integrates with the campaign that we are currently working on. Looking at the whole spectrum rather than being specific is a breath of fresh air and will prove very useful in our journey down the line. Thank you for the lessons.

Anamaria Dragoi & Iryna Molodecky:

The programs and techniques we learned in class is UBER HELPFUL especially now that we have we are in the last steps of the Pitch Campaign. Photoshop? Check. InDesign? Check. Audacity? Check. It's a shame we only tackled the tip of the iceberg in a span of a year. If I went for the 2 year program, then maybe we could've learned more than what is intended. Thank you for the lessons.

Doug Greenwood:

The picture summarizes the semester

We got the taste of the IMC in this class and it really helped out in the long run. While the logic behind "Pick and Stick or Stick and Pick" is still a fathom to me, the 4 Ps painted the picture that we so desperately need to form in this pitch campaign. We will never forget the ENERGY that you have at the start of class, something we kept missing out at 8am. Thank you for the lessons.

Tina Preussner:

My attitude to online was pretty much like this at the start

And now...

My absence in the online world proved to be one my downfall and weakest link. This class opened the whole idea to me and, hopefully, it will make my presence a lot more profound. Just keep practicing through blogging. Thank you, Tina!

Maureen Garbutt:

Sales has always been a scary path for me to take. While I'm accustomed to rejection, the pressure of your income solely relying on your commission is hell to even think of. Pressure is hell...but it can be a helpful asset to take into account.

To quote a character from a video game:

"This is a lot of pressure for someone to take. But remember...pressure can turn shit into diamonds. Or diamonds into dust. I have a lot of faith in you people..."

This class made the vision of sales a whole lot more interesting and easier to stomach.

I'm still scared. But at least now, I can look back at what we learned and say that I can prepare for the next prospect.

This is for the professors...next up would be for the classmates.

One-on-One with Myself

I would like to take this moment to reflect on the past. No, this is not a somber tale of a growing boy (Good lord... hell no) but more of an understanding of what has passed and what may be in store for me.

In a few days, I will be turning a year older. It's a sad notion to see notices on my Facebook page and text messages but that's something I will have to live with.

That's enough of the personal reflection... let's go to my professional looking glass.

I've only been a working professional for less than a decade but I can already feel the burden it brings with age and experience. To be honest, I deviated from the path that my teachers told me to go. They wanted me to be a journalist. I led myself to believe that I can be more than just a silent scream waiting to be heard. To an extent, I achieved that status but not so much as I had hoped for.

I grew up with a vision that I would rather live as a legend than as a fleeting memory. I don't know anymore if I can live up to that promise. My path is now intertwined with the arts and the business perspective of the whole spectrum that is life.

When I got out of university, I prepared myself with the understanding that creativity is everything. I carelessly let go of my understanding of math and the sciences to refine my understanding of the metaphysical and sublime. And it's only now I realize that it was a mistake to let it go. I should have embraced it along with the study of creativity.

Only a few more weeks 'till the end of my post-graduate study in Sheridan and I am still clinging to creativity as a saving grace. As much as I would want to believe that I am, I am not professional enough to make this career change in the field of advertising. That is not to say that I am not ready for this career change. This entry is meant to act as a wake-up call to me and to whomever feels the way I feel, sees the way I do.

The education I received in Sheridan is true...

But as a person, I need to learn...

There's still time for this old dog to learn..

I can do this...

I'm not only doing this for myself. There's my family. There's the family I will start with Karla. There're people I mustn't disappoint. Promises I made when I left my home.

Crunch week...

The Pressure Is Coming

About Sheridan

Winter is over.

But the pressure is still coming.

In the words of my classmates, "PITCHES BE B!@#$ES!"

I totally agree with them but I also have to embrace the fact that the day is coming when we will all be judged before a panel. The group's already compiling all the previous work while working on the new ones being introduced in class.

I swear the blood is literally pumping in my veins due to both excitement and fear.

Maybe there will come a time when I will feel as dedicated as Jon Snow.

In the upcoming days, I can either be a Jon Snow (dedicated and looking forward to the future) or I can be a Oberyn Martell (Full of confidence but it will get me in trouble in the future - my ego might get crushed in the process just like his face)

OHEMGEE - ALMOST THERE!!!!!

Seeing Purple Elephants

About Sheridan

With the end of the semester on the horizon, I can't help but hope to actually see Purple Elephants to disguise my current outlook in life as a stale bloke that's juggling multiple lives as a student, volunteer and a family man.

The winter is almost over and Jon Snow (Migs Reyes) still knows nothing.

Time to perk up, and hopefully, not die!

Only a few more weeks to go!

-fin- -fin- -fin-

A Walk Down Memory Lane

To be fair,

This post has little to do with the current advertising program that I'm in but it did help in pushing me to this direction.

I had the pleasure of being a part of this very enlightening event, even if it was just a small part like helping make the trailer.

The trailer aired in Party Pilipinas, a show I was working in at that time as Segment Producer. With the help of my supervisor and friend, Arnold Sebastian Mendoza, I got to try out the promotional side of media.

No amount of words can truly express my thanks for the opportunity but I will just say it again because it is good. 

Thank you Arnold and Direk Rico Gutierrez for allowing me to be part of this event.

Below is the said trailer:

Tough Love

We can start with the basics...and perhaps the hard truth while we're at it. Come April, we're pretty much shit-faced even if we pass with flying colours (Mind you, I'm not saying that's how I am at this moment)

That's a fact that we all have to accept come April, but there is hope. That silver lining called opportunity (or maybe internship) may come reeling like a bat out of hell and save any of us.

Forgot to mention.. this entry is not for me, it's for all of us.

Now for the good news. THIS NETWORKING NIGHT.. was different, in my opinion. We already had enough knowledge from previous lectures in class or from the previous networking nights. We already knew quite a bit so this night was different. 15-minute speed dating to build a relationship rather than familiarising us with the business.

I can't say it's a success, that answer will come once we get hired or if the relationship bears fruit. I stand with what I told them. It's not about the money. There will always be money. It's about loyalty and the relationships that we build along the way that matter in surviving this competitive field.

We're taking pot shots up in the sky. And someday, that bullet will come raining down... and that's when things get exciting.

To everyone that was in the event...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my colleagues...

I once convinced a woman I was Kevin Costner

About Sheridan

                 No, I never said that out in public. I wish I had the looks, but... I got more of the creativity instead!

                    I am currently in a Better Call Saul hype so expect a lot of pictures or memes starring the CRIMINAL lawyer. Don't worry though, this post won't be all about my fascination and excitement for that show. It's gonna be more on advertising for movies or shows.

Everyone enjoys the movies. Who doesn't? But then again... do you get that same reaction from watching a movie that you only found out on the day itself? 

It may be good, may be bad... or probably no one cares at all.

Trailers.. Yes, trailers.

Build the hype. Crack that line and cookie dough that target audience!

Take the trailer of Birdman (2014) for example:

Not really categorized as an indie film, but it had that feel to it. Most indie films have the plot that tend to fuck up your rational way of thinking and make your tinker tick. Think of it as INCEPTION without the money and flashy graphics (well...only a little).

55 trailers, including tv spots. That's a pretty steep budget for a movie that only appeared in select cinemas. It only appeared in one cinema in Toronto in a span of 3 days. That's really marginalizing your potential audience and income... but that didn't stop it from soaring and winning awards in the last Golden Globes and Academy Awards night. 9 nominations for the Academy Awards and one win for Michael Keaton in the Golden Globes, not bad, Batman.

It's the hype. It's the hype that drives people in. Sadly, we have yet to do an in-depth analysis or lesson in the program. Just a taste.. oooh why only a taste...

I'm still waiting for a chance to start working on this angle. Hopefully, we'll touch base on this area. Build the tension with really short clips, interesting lines, etc.

And when you watch the real thing...

I'm not reviewing. That's not the purpose of this post.

BWAHAHA!

Tips for Taking Exams for Media internships

About Sheridan college

Just took the IPG Mediabrands exam this morning...

-meh-

It was somewhat easier than I expected. I mean, I studied all night for this exam since it's gonna be a big thing in the future. But it still caught me off-guard.

Here are a few tips for those who plan on taking exams similar to this:

1. Study... up to you how much or how hard you wanna do it.
2. Don't memorize the formula. It might not all come out.


3. No coffee or drinks before the exam. Unless you want the brown devil hounding your ass (no pun intended)

4. Make flash cards with the formula or something to guide you

5. Bring your trusted calculator. (this should be #1)

6. Know at least 5 radio stations and 5 call center offices for the major TV stations

7. Know and be active in your chosen social networking sites or apps. Because they will know if you know your shit.

-fin-

Day after D-Day: FFW Next Generation Day 2015

About Sheridan Advertising Account Management

Day After D-Day

Leo Burnett...

I am still reeling with excitement even a day after. It's one thing to hear advice from industry professionals in the first half of the day, it's another to hear it from the people behind the icons like Tony the Tiger and the Jolly Green Giant.

We got a quick tour of the place from Accounts to Creative. It was a quick tour to get acquainted with the place in case we get to work there in the future. Lighting was kinda dim. Most of the lighting came from the lamps each table had, which made sense since darkness can stimulate concentration to a certain extent.. at least that's how I like it. Poor Linda, she had a hard time giving the tour with her voice box being strained. It actually felt a lot better to know how determined people are there in Leo Burnett if they're willing to give a tour with a sore throat.

Next up we were brought to the meeting room for pizza and drinks. Social time for everyone. While indulging in free drinks and pizza, we got to meet the COO & President of Leo Burnett Canada, Dom Caruso. Pretty straight-forward guy, gave a short speech on what to expect for the day, tips in the industry, and answered a few of our questions. I had a few inqiries regarding the company's outlook or working habit titled, Humankind. Thankfully, Dom clarified it what I read in their website.

Pays to do your research before the actual interview or meet.

After the enlightening welcome from Dom, Marcus Sager of the Creative Department came into the room to introduce his experience in said department. At first I was expecting a winding conversation on art and the design...I have no problems with it since I want to work for the creative department. It's just that my drawing skills aren't exactly that sharp. But that all changed when we explained that he started out as a copywriter.

BOOM! That's a plus in the motivation line.

The slides he had were pretty simple and entertaining, expect no less from someone in the creative dept. I totally agreed with him when he said that ideas don't usually come from the meetings, sometimes it would just come out while having a coffee. An example of that would be the commercial for Ikea that highlighted the warranty of the products. The actors insinuated sex on the counter to prove just how much the warranty will cover. Shit that's taking it too far.

But hey, he said the client has to trust you a lot to give the OK for something so risque...another sound advice.

Too bad the talk with creative was short-lived. Up next was the Accounts department. And true to their objective or approach to all meetings, it was quick and concise. They provided words of wisdom (First person I remembered was Colin and his words of wisdom before every class). I appreciate the Accounts department, but sadly, I have no love for it nor do I want to work in that department.

Next on the itinerary was the digital or technology department. At first, I thought it was another way of calling the Media department then I was proven wrong by Felix. He talked about code and the people behind the scenes who made a really big difference. That's when it kicked me that they handled the traffic management and maintenance of websites and digital code. Very technical stuff and something most, if not, all in the room did not understand. It caught my attention, however, since I love techie stuff and the terminology was something familiar to me.

Enter the Triumvirate. I was actually surprised that I was the only one in the room who knows what the word means and signifies. I learned the meaning and symbolism of the word, Triumvirate, in Latin class. Julius Caesar, Pompeius Magnus, and Marcus Crassus --- boom there goes 4 years of studying the dead language.

Anyway, we had a brainstorming for ideas for the upcoming Ikea campaign focusing on Moving Day (April 1) in Montreal. Now, I'm not sure if whatever came out of that meeting will be used in the coming campaign, but I am very interested to know the outcome. As a gamer, I started mouthing out ideas like a website dedicated to helping out the families prior to the move, the website would be designed and played like Sims. The website would allow families to design a room based on the dimensions given to them by their real estate brokers and the website would create a mock design of the room, also allowing the users to place a plethora of furniture or appliances that are already available in store. So it's kinda like knowing what the room will look before you actually move...alleviates the stress of doing it on the spot after the move.

No mess, no stress...

Sadly, the afternoon/ evening ended a lot earlier than expected and we all had to say our goodbyes. Luckily, I got to [roughly] introduce myself to the staff and to the creative team. I hope to God that they'll at least consider what I have and what I can do when it comes to writing and conceptualizing.

2015 Networking Night

About Sheridan

Networking Night 2015

I'm not sure if that's the proper or formal name for the event. I never got to research on the companies that was in the event because of the following things:

1. No internet at home (transition stage to getting a new service provider)
2. Lots to do in class
3. My package (the DVD writer) only arrived on the day itself and I had to burn a number of copies for the event
4. My resume still wasn't done. Had to rush everything that I wasn't able to work on the pie chart... at all!
5. Brought a lot of things. My locker was, literally, bulging.
6. My back gave way (I sound so old because of this) due to the weight of the stuff I brought.

Despite the setbacks, the night was a lot of fun. Been a while since I went one-on-one with actual practitioners and try to sell myself so you can expect things to go south at first. But hey, the fear monster came in one door and left in the other by the mid of the night.

Got to meet a lot of interesting people in the industry, TubeMogul, Nielsen, Naked Creative, HAVAS Worldwide, Metroland Media, Cotton Candy, etc.

Shame there were plenty of empty tables like from the Leo Burnett side, I would've wanted to get things started with them, intro and everything.

This is just the first of many. Need to do my follow-ups to get my career going and to make damn sure that they remember who I am.

Go! Go! Go!

Test Post

1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 2L1 (905) 845-9430 About Sheridan College

This is a test.

Oh yeah... this is the third post

Vacation Mode

Spaced out...

At least I know I'm not the only one still in vacation mode. Apparently, we have something due this 22nd in Colin's class. Thank goodness it's PMB related and I already did most of it in class. All that's left is for me to make that one page analysis. It shouldn't be too hard, I'll just have to make a story from all the figures and numbers.

I might have to re-think and plan what I do from now one. Only a few more months before graduation. I must get a good job. Not just for, but for my family, the family I intend to start with Karla. We may not be in speaking terms for now but that doesn't mean i have to let it all go.

We need this. She's doing her best in the other side of the world, I need to make my mark and make a big one at that. Networking nights, reconnecting with people I've met, casual lunch meetings with Gerald so that we can catch up and maybe he can give me a few tips since we're in the same industry.

I must wake up.

New Year, New Goals

To start things, HAPPY NEW YEAR! (Yes, it must be all caps)

Sheridan Life started a few days ago and things are pretty intense. Sadly, the schedule sucks. It's gonna be hard working part-time and doing volunteer work with a schedule that only has one class per day at the middle of the day. Good thing, though, the classes are interesting, again. Despite a background in numerous creative environments (Theater, Studio Photography, Video Game Magazine Editing, Program Researcher, News Producer ---- jeezus that's a long list ----- makes me sound old in the process despite being only 27)
*Instead of a tiger, I have a Stitch doll (still a very good buddy)

Things to do for this new year:

1. Resume --- must REVISE REVISE REVISE
2. Business Card --- must CREATE CREATE CREATE
3. Networking --- must FOLLOW-UP FOLLOW-UP FOLLOW-UP

*Enough with the All caps (Booya!)

4. Online and actual planner --- must fill-out and check on a regular basis
5. Study --- of course!
6. Cogeco --- volunteer as much as I can, when I can
7. Archery --- give it a shot (no pun intended) and I might just get abs like Stephen Amell (joke!)
8. Exercise --- make full use of the gym facilities in Sheridan (it's relatively free)
9. Online Community --- time to be more active in Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.