Texas Showcase -- AdGrad Alumni Lyssa Peloquin
“Advertising evolves just as quickly as you can study it. You have to stay curious and be a perpetual student.”
Lyssa Peloquin graduated from UT with her BS in Advertising. Even in high school she was a part of the advertising world, working in an agency. Her education in UT Austin’s advertising program helped her to understand the growing demands of the field, but her experiences in account planning have made her a part of the modern, ever-changing ad world. She is now an Account Supervisor at Energy BBDO of Chicago and spends her days juggling the many exciting tasks of client and campaign needs.
What degree did you receive from UT Austin?
I received my BS in Advertising in May of 2004.
What attracted you to the field of advertising?
I was always interested in advertising and its short-form storytelling. Good advertising can grab you and become a part of popular culture. When I was growing up I'd comment on ads when watching TV with my family, dissecting them and wanting to discuss them. By the time I was in high school I took a part time job at local agency RJ Kolar. I worked as the receptionist in the afternoons and volunteered for a lot of intern assignments on the side, which provided me with my first exposure to how an agency works. It was a natural thing for me to decide to pursue advertising in college.
Why did you choose UT Austin to complete your advertising studies?
UT was always my first choice for college. I was born into a family of Longhorns. Luckily it has one of the top programs for advertising.
What were some of the most important things that you learned while pursuing your degree at UT?
That advertising evolves just as quickly as you can study it. It's constantly changing and building and trying to do something new. You have to stay curious and be a perpetual student. John Murphy's Advertising Leadership class my senior year was probably the most influential class for me, as it introduced the concept of Account Management, and a lot of things fell into place in my brain and I knew that's where I belonged.
What were you involved in beyond classes?
I was a Sophomore Advisor at Littlefield and then a resident advisor for the Honors Dorms. Living in the dorms was an integral part of my early connection to the student body, and one that I would recommend to everyone, especially incoming students. My freshman year I was also part of a group of ten girls that founded the Texas Lonestars, a spirit/service/social organization. Taking part of the process of building a group from the ground up was enormously rewarding, and I'm still connected with many of the girls today.
What was your next step after graduation?
My senior spring I finally landed an internship at GSD&M, and was fortunate that there were some AAE positions open upon graduation and received a job offer. I started working on the Wal-Mart account, which afforded a lot of hands-on experience that I wouldn't have received at entry level had I gone elsewhere. At age 23 I was sent to New York to oversee a print shoot at Milk studios, and I remember having an out-of-body experience. That was when I knew I was doing what I wanted to do.
What are some of the highlights of your professional career?
A week-long 5-spot production in Prague is probably my favorite experience so far. Travel has always been a major perk that I try to make the most of. I'd also have to say the people I've met and worked with are an enormous part of my advertising experience. The industry has a unique creative mindset that attracts quirky, outgoing, brilliant people, and I've benefited from their influence.
As an Account Supervisor at Energy BBDO in Chicago, what are the highlights of your day-to-day job?
Getting to come to work at an office like Energy BBDO is a major highlight. I feel blessed to work in a passionate, crazy smart, supportive environment with people I genuinely like and admire. We work hard and play hard.
What is your job like? What keeps you there?
As an Account Supervisor, I'm responsible for overseeing the daily process for the account. I'm either on the phone with my clients, working on strategy and managing project expectations, or working with my planner on a new brief, sitting in my creative director's office discussing our current projects, or reviewing timelines and budgets with my producer. There is constantly something new, and juggling those projects and trying to stay one step ahead is one of my favorite aspects of the job.
What do you see as the biggest change occurring in the field of advertising?
One of the biggest changes I've noticed in the past few years is that the industry is having to constantly shift and evolve as technology modifies the way people interact with advertising. The traditional model is weakening and the brands at the forefront are taking more and more risks in giving power to their consumers in how their brand is portrayed.
What advice do you give your new interns?
Ask questions. Be flawless and thorough. Nail every task that's given to you. Volunteer. Get to know your team and become a valued asset.
How can you make the most out of a job beyond the daily needs?
I always recommend that people get involved with agency culture. I joined the softball team at GSD&M almost immediately after being hired and met people that I still stay in touch with today. We traveled to the Advertising Softball World Series together for 5 years, and the fundraising and travel and playing softball together made for great friendships. Volunteering for non-client related activities around the agency is absolutely crucial to how much you'll enjoy coming to work each day.
To learn more about Lyssa’s work, visit her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lyssapeloquin.