Making a career switch into advertising

We’ve got some tips dedicated to those who want to make that career switch but are wondering about how they can go about it:

I don’t have a related degree or diploma. How can I enter the industry without these qualifications?

It’s not required to have design skills or a paper qualification related to advertising to enter the industry. There are several job options in the industry such as copywriting, strategic planning and client servicing, where all you need are:
• people skills
• the ability to analyse & strategise
• posses strong general knowledge
• good writing skills
• ability to work with tight deadlines and late nights

– however the challenge is to apply these skills into the advertising context.

The advantage that you have is your life experience and skills obtained from your previous jobs that would add a fresh quality to your work as it is a very people-culture industry.

The bigger question is whether are you willing to build on your skills and immerse yourself into the advertising just as an ad person would?

What do I need and where do I start?

Like every job application there would be your resume that lists your experiences and achievements during the course of your career. However if you’re coming from a totally different industry you may not have certain experiences that ad agencies are looking for. The answer lies in your portfolio – the ticket into a career in advertising.

An advertising portfolio will consist of work that reflects your creativity, ability to strategise (even in the creative industry you need good solid thinking) and understanding of the brand-positioning approach behind a particular product. Basically it is where you are able to showcase your abilities and catch the attention of your future employers!

If you’re not sure about what it takes to build an impressive portfolio, join us in our “A Portfolio That Gets You Hired” workshop this Saturday. You'll understand how to start building your portfolio and prepare yourself for an interview that could change your life. Email felicia@95percent.com.my or call 03-2287 7095 for more info!

Next Intake : 23rd February 2010

Idea Rawkstarrs is a 3-month training for Copywriters, Graphic Designers, Account Executives and Marketing Executives who aspire to be outstanding.

If you have no background in advertising and you just want to be more creative, this will improve the quality of your ideas.

AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVITY

Everyone is born creative, but many people stop being creative when they grow up. Some are ok with this, but most are not. Have you ever met someone who is always talking and talking about ideas but not doing anything about them? Maybe that someone is you?

That's a sign of your innate talent wanting to be heard. Your creativity is begging to be set free!

Whether you're already nurturing your creativity or still questioning it, the seed is already there. It may be latent but it is there.

For this seed to germinate, you need a catalyst. An alarm clock of sorts, to shock it out of inertia. Then it can start to grow and bloom.

IDEA RAWKSTARRS IS YOUR CATALYST

In this training, there are no textbooks, no long lectures. You'll learn by questioning, experimenting and discussing to arrive at your own conclusions. This develops independence, confidence and originality.

Many have described the training as a roller coaster : you'll sink deeper and fly higher than ever before, and the ride will leave you breathless and exhilarated.

Some have called it a pressure cooker : it is designed to challenge you so that you will develop strength, resilience and the bull-headed determination to blast your way through obstacles.

Some say this training provided them with a space to find themselves. Here, they have permission to experiment and make mistakes. They are free to express, explore and discover what's important to them. Dreams come to life. Goals become clear. Daily activities become energised with a sense of purpose.

The common denominator is that this is a 3-month experience like no other. It is like stepping out of your life and taking a journey into another realm. One from which you will emerge refreshed, recharged and renewed.


A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE YOURSELF AS SOMEONE AWESOME
Next Intake starts 23rd February

Get details on Idea Rawkstarrs : http://bit.ly/4AJv5C

To get more info, email janetlee@95percent.com.my

Who'll be the next Idea Rawkstarr?

Who will be the one to impress Creative Directors and Ad Agency Heads? Who will be the one who will have a portfolio that makes their classmates drool? Who has the vision and determination to launch a new career?

The next intake of Idea Rawkstarrs starts on 23rd February 2010. Click on the title of this post for training info, or email janetlee@95percent.com.my for some cold, hard truths about a career in advertising.

Some people wish and hope, others make it happen.


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Graduates speak their mind...

ONG SUE YIN
Now working as a Copywriter at Dentsu Utama
"I took a diploma and a degree in Graphic Design and felt that I wasn't getting enough knowledge to join the industry. It was a major scary feeling because I knew I wasn't equipped with the skills. And then came 95%. Their training courses were specific, thorough and experiential, unlike those pricey college modules which were too academic."
Ask Sue what it was like : sueyin@dentsutama.com

ADLIN ROSLI
From writer at KLUE to copywriter at BBDO / Proximity
"Idea Rawkstarrs was tough! I had many moments during the three months where I was thinking "what did I get myself into? At the end though, by pushing through the challenges and putting everything on the line (I quit my day job in the middle of the training!), I understood the mindset and gained the drive needed to be in advertising. Armed with what I learned through Idea Rawkstarr, I was able to make an impact in my interviews with BBDO/Proximity. Working at Proximity is fun, but the work hours can be murder! Being passionate about creativity really helps get me through. Plus, I'm loving that I'm being paid to daydream and have silly conversations with my colleagues."
Hear it directly from Adlin: (msn) adlin_1@hotmail.com

RUDY LA FABER
Marketing & IT graduate, from freelance magazine writer to copywriter at Dentsu Malaysia.
“If you said I was going to be a writer at a big agency a year ago, I would have laughed at you. I didn't know a thing about advertising. Now I'm a writer at Dentsu. Most of my friends are pretty sick of me talking about my job. I can't help it though, I love it too much. For the first time ever I can wake up, head to work and not complain about anything at all."
Talk to Rudy: twitter.com/rudylafaber

A Portfolio That Gets You Hired

What do the Executive Creative Directors mean by quality? Find out at the “A Portfolio That Gets You Hired” workshop, a one and a half day session for fresh grads and final semester students to learn how to create an impressive portfolio that resonates with what the CDs are looking for.

You will gain insights from a professional’s perspective so that you'll know how to prepare yourself for your big break into the ad industry.

Day 1, 23rd January 2010 (9am - 6pm) :
Learn what CDs are looking for. View examples of great portfolios that got the students hired. Identify how to build and improve your own portfolio.

Day 2, 25th January 2010 (7pm -10pm) :
Present your newly improved portfolio to a panel of Creative Directors. You'll get valuable feedback that will guide you to be well prepared for job interviews. Who knows, if you apply everything that you learnt in Day 1, you may even get hired straight away!

Venue :
95% The Advertising Academy,
Wisma Dicklin 80A,
Jalan Bangsar, KL

Fee : RM150

Contact gracelook@95percent.com.my or call 03-2287 7095 for more info.


Creative Director Robert Speechley, a Neil French disciple who was Janet's CD in The Ball Partnership comments...

"This is an excellent subject for discussion. Hope you get a lot of people attending. U'd have to be mad not to go if you're even halfway serious about getting in/on in the Ad game."

The Spunky Rawkstarr

We're on a roll... please meet one of our spunkiest Rawkstarr yet... Vince Lee!

1. Hi Vince, could you share with your background and how you entered the advertising industry?

Okay I’ll skip to the part when I’m already in The One Academy. Back then I still wasn’t sure what the advertising industry actually do. Then I realise the stuff that we were thought in college clearly wasn’t sufficient. I know a few friends from the industry so I get them to hook me up with some freelance. I started from there onwards into a Jakarta based company, and later on co-founded a small agency with a few friends. It was a really tough time, having to handle both company stuff and also college assignment. But still it’s very rewarding.

2. What are your career dreams and aspirations?

Instinctively, I’ll climb as high as possible on the advertising career ladder. And I guess I’ll figure something out along the way. I guess I aspire to be someone like Janet, to give and mentor fresh, young bright minds.

3. What is your view on advertising and what about the industry excites you?

In my opinion, advertising is the best job in the world. They practically pay you to be crazy and silly. The buzz of getting new challenges and solving new problems each day really appeals to me. Passion will always keep you through.

4. How did you come to know about 95% and why did you pursue to seek further knowledge outside college?

My copywriting lecturer. I asked her once where can I learn more about copywriting and ideas she told me straight the only place I can learn good stuff is 95%. Coincidently 2 of my classmates went through the training and came back a different person. What I felt was college only teach us the skills and put in a lot of rules on it. I needed something more that will bring my skills to a new level.

5. How has “Idea Rawkstarrs” played a part in your journey in advertising?

The training breaks all my deep-rooted assumptions about advertising and graphic design. With some guidance from Shahnaz, Peter, and Janet, I manage to combine both my skills and thinking into my work.

6. Which agency would you like to work with in the future and why?

Droga 5. That place is filled with genius.

7. What is your favourite ad / campaign and why?

Tap Project by Droga 5. The only creative material of the campaign is a piece of sticker that sticked on restaurants. It’s the idea that makes it so genius.

8. Which advertising persona/figure that your respect and would like to work with (regardless of whether the person is still alive or not)?

David Ogilvy

9. What would like to say to students who are about to enter the industry?

Advertising is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not just the glamour that you see from outside. It’s brutal. If you dread the long hours in office and days spent without going home, leave now before you realise you’re wasting you life. You gotta have real hardcore passion about it.

The next Rawkstarr in line is...

You've met one of our current Rawkstarrs, Lucky.

Now it's time to meet the next Rawkstarr who's just joined the industry. Meet Adlin Rosli!

1. Hi Adlin, what are you doing now and which agency are you with?
I'm currently serving my probation period with Proximity Malaysia.

2. What’s the best thing about your job right now?
Seeing working people wondering why I'm not dressed for work every morning when we share the elevator.

3. Is it true that ad agencies have booze parties all the time?
A total myth! But my colleagues party as hard as they work.

4. What were you doing before advertising and what got you interested in the industry?
I was working at a content company. They did websites and magazines. I was burnt out and really needed a change. I foolishly paid attention to my friends who are in advertising telling me things like "you'll love it, you get paid to Facebook."

5. What was your journey like transitioning to the ad industry?
Slow and painful. I spent 2 years procrastinating.

6. How has Idea Rawkstarrs played a part in your journey towards advertising?
Idea Rawkstarrs gave me the basic tools to figure out what to do in advertising. I picked up some good basic skills to understand and use strategy with creativity.

7. Now that you’re in the industry already, how is your experience so far?
I feel like screaming at Janet for not warning me enough this shit is hard. I'll do it now, "JANET!!!! ARRRRGHHHHHHHH!!!!!" That said, it's also a lot of fun.

8. Share with us, the top 3 fun facts of being in an agency/the industry?

1. The people you will meet are either big assholes or the funniest people ever. Nothing in between.
2. You will feel inadequate with the T-shirts and shoes you own.
3. Leaving at 7pm will make people go "Wow! Half day?"

9. What is your favourite ad / campaign and why?
ADK Japan's Power Rangers-ish Nike Ad. I love it because it's so absurd, but it makes sense with what the brand is about and how it ties back to playing with your shoes. Also, anything with ninjas automatically gets points in my book. Be amazed here: http://bit.ly/5sosnt


10. What would be your advice to those who are thinking about joining the industry?

Make sure you have a decent collection of T-shirts and shoes. And be prepared to work as hard as you play

(95%: Well said Adlin!)

Meet the Rawkstarrs!

Many times we've talked about our Rawkstarrs and perhaps some of you are curious about these 'crazy' people who are so willing to spend their evenings cooped up in a training instead of chilling with their friends.

So we decided to 'expose' some of these culprits we call Rawkstarrs.


First in line is one of our current Rawkstarrs... Lucky Handoko!


1. Hi Lucky, could you share with us a little bit about your background please?
I'm 22 year-old design student majoring in advertising. I love creative ideas that work and inspire others. I consider myself as a creative person and idea generator but somehow all of my ideas are raw and random. Never know whether they will work or not, whether it is good or not.

[*Note from the 95% team: Not yet Lucky...you're getting there ;) ]

2. What are your career dreams and aspirations?
My biggest dream is to be a CEO of my own big advertising company.

3. What is your view on advertising and what about the industry excites you?
For me, advertising is more than just advertising the product and hope people will understand and eventually buy it.

It's far more than that. It can be a tool to communicate my thoughts to mass of people, it can also be my power to drives people's mindset and way of life. That's also why i find advertising so interesting. Some may think it's not a big thing, but it can be very impactful.


4. How did you come to know about 95% and why did you pursue to seek further knowledge outside college?
I knew 95% from a friend. She was so passionate about advertising as well. We went to the workshop and then I found that 95% was actually interesting. The approach of education is different and somehow suits me.

Then I decided to join, it's not because I didn't get anything (well I did get something but not that much) from my college but I don't think one source of knowledge will be enough since advertising is also about exploring new things.

If I only learn from my lecturer, then I'll be end up just like a younger version of him, with his taste with his standards. Yuck.

5. How has “Idea Rawkstarrs” played a part in your journey in advertising?
So far it plays a big role in my advertising journey. It made me see things in a wider scope. I know so much more about the industry.

It makes me realize that ideas can only get me so far, but great ads will always come with strategies.

It really helps me manage my thoughts. It helps me to put my randomness in a correct box and make ideas that are not only look nice but also working. Still working on that :p

6. Which agency would you like to work with in the future and why?
It’ll either be Leo Burnett or Ogilvy. For me they are like the BMW and Mercedes Benz of the ad industry.

7. What is your favourite ad / campaign and why?
There are many ads that I like but the one that always stick in my mind will be IAPA adoption ad by Ogilvy Mumbai and Petronas ad by Yasmin Ahmad. It touches me and I feel good, so good that I won't let my self forget about it. Can't explain more.

The Theory of Fun campaign was also very great. The campaign put new concepts in people's head without saying a word.

8. Which advertising persona/figure that your respect and would like to work with (regardless of whether the person is still alive or not)?
Peter Gan :D

9. What would like to say to students who are about to enter the industry?
The World is bigger than just “A+”s.

Thankies!

Special thanks to all the lovely ladies & gentlemen that graced this special,
special event.

Curious about what all the star-plushies (or better known as'huggies') are for? Click on the photo to see our Thankies Chocolate Party photo album!

Christmas comes earlier at 95 Percent.

Thanks Yenny for the Christmas present for everyone of us. Can you guess which one is for who?

Vacancy at 95%

We are looking for a Senior Account Executive, or Account Manager, to manage our corporate clients. You'll be joining a dynamic team of people who are passionate about making a difference and committed to growth. If you are results driven, and you love to win, this is your space to shine.

Criteria :
Intention-Driven
Responsible
Authentic
You create Possibilities
(if you're a 95% grad or Shinester, you'll know what we mean)

Strong command of English.
Fantastic people skills.
Anal about details.

Call Felicia at 03-22876095 or email felicia@95percent.com.my for an interview.
Let's spread the love!

Ebay Wicked Sick BMX

Creative copywriting works its magic on Ebay.

Creative Billboards

Janet received an email on a series of creative billboards and she decided to share the fun with the rest of us!

To see the other creative billboards, click on the picture above!