This internship was established in 1989 in honor of Vance L. Stickell (1925 -1987), former Executive Vice President, Marketing, for the Los Angeles Times. During his 39 - year career in advertising, Vance Stickell established himself nationally as a highly respected advertising practitioner and statesman. The program is intended to raise awareness and understanding of advertising processes and business ethics among future advertising professionals.

Established by the Times Mirror Foundation and jointly administered by the Los Angeles Times and the American Advertising Federation, the program's permanent endowment was moved to the University of Texas at Austin in 2003. The program is housed in the University's Department of Advertising, which is responsible for the stewardship of the program. The Times continues to support the program in numerous ways, as well as hosting an intern each summer.

In 2007, twenty outstanding students will be selected for a 10-week internship at U.S. media organizations, advertising agencies, and client and supplier companies. The interns will receive a stipend of $5,500 for the 10-week internship.