AAF Challenges Student Creativity and Showcases Talent Through the National Student Advertising Competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 20, 2008 – Advertising students from across the country will present their comprehensive integrated marketing campaigns during the finals of the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), June 8-9 in Atlanta. AOL is the 2008 competition sponsor, and the NSAC finals are part of the AAF National Conference.

This year, AOL challenged students to develop an integrated marketing campaign for AOL’s AIM instant messaging service and its suite of social media products.

The nation’s premier student advertising competition, NSAC showcases the talent and creativity of individuals who truly represent the future of the advertising industry. Students have worked on these projects since October, and out of the 140 schools that participated in the district competitions this spring, 17 teams advanced to the final round where they will showcase their campaigns to AOL marketing executives. The winning team will be announced and present its campaign during the June 9 conference luncheon.

“This competition offers AOL a unique opportunity to hear marketing insights from a key target audience for the AIM product,” said Lynda Clarizio, Executive Vice President, AOL, and President, Platform-A. “The students participating in this competition represent the future leaders of the advertising industry, and we are pleased to be a sponsor of such an important event.”

The following finalists represent 14 of the AAF’s 15 districts. Due to their size, AAF Districts 2 and 6 host two competitions and subsequently send two teams to the national finals.

2008 NSAC Finalists

District 1: Emerson College
District 2: The George Washington University
District 2: Hofstra University
District 3: University of Virginia
District 4: Florida State University
District 5: Ohio University
District 6: Columbia College
District 6: Indiana University
District 7: Louisiana State University
District 8: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
District 9: Webster University
District 10: Texas State University–San Marcos
District 11: University of Oregon
District 12: The Art Center Design College–Albuquerque
District 14: University of Nevada–Reno
District 15: University of Southern California
Wild Card: Texas Christian University

New to the conference this year is the NSAC Recruiters Expo. The expo will offer companies the opportunity to meet and explore career opportunities with NSAC finalists. This is an exciting addition to the AAF National Conference and another way that the AAF continues to promote future advertising talent to industry executives. These students have been judged to be the best by the country’s top advertising executives in their district competitions, and the expo presents a prime opportunity for companies to meet with the top talent and the future of the advertising industry.

The AAF's education services division annually coordinates the NSAC in cooperation with a major corporation that serves as the competition sponsor. The NSAC is unique in that it provides students with a superior educational experience, which prepares them for successful careers, and provides the sponsor with tangible, effective integrated marketing campaigns. The 2008 NSAC judges include the following representatives from AOL:

• Amy Craig, principal product manager, AIM
• Dave George, senior director of communications, AOL marketing and operations
• Susan Kim, creative director, advertising.com
• Lisa Lausten, director, marketing, AOL
• Kate Wulfing, vice president, marketing, AOL

For more information on the NSAC and the AAF National Conference 2008, go to http://www.aaf.org/conference.