Advertising mixes creativity, writing, media, research and the psychology of audiences. Advertisers sell “cool” and raise awareness of products and brands. It is a fast-paced world that follows the moving target of what motivates people to act, whether it is purchasing a product or service or changing an opinion about a candidate or cause. If you like looking at ads, talking about them and understanding why they work, or don’t work, this is the major for you. We prepare our students in several key ways:

Internships.We encourage students to pursue multiple internships. We have an extensive database of local and national, paid and unpaid internships.

Student media.Students have the opportunity to work in Student Media’s advertising department. They sell ad space and develop a repertoire with clients. Students learn the ins and outs of selling advertising at a media organization.

Real clients. The advertising curriculum allows our students to learn by working for real clients. Building up to the final capstone course in campaigns, students work with local and national clients on both the media and creative side.

Student Ad Fed. LSU Advertising Federation (Ad Fed) is the LSU student chapter of the national professional society, American Advertising Federation (AAF). The organization promotes LSU advertising students by providing career opportunities and networking. Guest speakers and conferences help students develop ideas for creative advertising solutions and the latest trends in advertising and marketing. These activities also provide insight into successful networking, career planning and employment. The organization also advances education about cutting-edge advertising practices.

National Student Advertising Competition. Each year we participate in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) where students compete with 117 other schools around the country to execute a full advertising campaign for a national client. LSU teams regularly place at district with the Manship taking home the district title in 2008. Winning teams compete at the national conference in June each year.

Students who are interested in advertising should look for opportunities to develop their writing, creative and leadership skills. While some of our graduates go on to portfolio school, some of our recent graduate professional placements include:

• Nike (Portland, OR)
• New Orleans Hornets
• Atlanta Falcons
• Walgreens (Chicago, IL)
• The Day Group (Baton Rouge)
• Diane Allen and Associates (Baton Rouge)
• Poke NY (New York)
• Lamar Advertising (Baton Rouge)
• Big Spaceship (New York)
• Door Number Three (Austin, TX)
• Old Hat Creative (Oklahoma City)
• McGarrah Jessee (Austin, TX)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
• Creative Communications (Baton Rouge)
• Zehnder Communications (New Orleans)

For more information about the advertising concentration, contact:

Dr. Anne Osborne, Advertising Area Head | 225.578.9296 | osborne@lsu.edu

advertising | journalism | political communication | public relations