When GTB Greenhouse intern Madison Sykes sat down with a few GTB execs, she had but one question — what advice would you offer young professionals who are just getting started in advertising? The following are highlights of wisdom shared during those conversations.
Kevin Karolak, Chief Marketing Officer
- “Focus on the outside. Focus on the people, not yourself.”
Once upon a time, Kevin taught high school English in Texas. He credits that experience and learning to communicate in front of an audience as a great starting point — one he drew upon later in his career as he transitioned to advertising and event marketing.
Kevin expressed that the ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner, while keeping the audience’s attention, is an important skill to have. His secret for overcoming fear of public speaking??
“Focus on the outside. Focus on the people, not yourself.”
His advice to newer professionals is to “be curious and bring an outside perspective inside.” He also emphasized reading. Why? “At the end of the day, all communications are confined by language and language has its limitations,” he said. “It’s important to be able to manipulate language and use it to your advantage, whether it’s a presentation or a tagline. The more you expose yourself to the possibilities of language, the greater the benefit will be to your career.”
John Ottaway, Managing Partner, GTB
- “Never be afraid to reach out to anyone; be curious.”
When John began his career many years ago at J. Walter Thompson, he admits he didn’t know much about advertising. As a business and psychology student, he found the industry intriguing but struggled with what he calls “fear of the unknown.”
“All I knew about advertising is what I had heard or seen on television and it was very different from that,” he said. “Plus, I didn’t know anybody who actually worked in the industry.” How did he find his way? He “made it a point to go talk to people and try to get to know them on a personal level.”
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to anyone; be curious.”
His advice to interns is “don’t be afraid to reach out to anyone” and “be curious because people are willing and interested in helping.” In addition, he advised to “look at things differently. Look for the unexpected, the unique, the point of difference. These are often the perspectives that lead to stronger, more effective help communications.”
Tito Melega, Chief Creative Officer, GTB
Tito’s journey into advertising began on what he describes as a “cold, rainy, Chicago winter night.” He had just finished his first interview at an agency. He didn’t have a portfolio and didn’t even know what a campaign was at the time. “The Creative Director that interviewed me gave me a quick lesson on portfolio-building and sent me packing,” he said. His next stop was the nearest payphone where he placed a call to the Portfolio Center.
One of his teachers there offered him an internship at his agency where he “mostly did storyboards for DOW Scrubbing Bubbles.” Still, Tito said there were a few fears to overcome. “As an immigrant, I had a lot more pressure to succeed than some of my peers.” These fears he felt were “all self-imposed.” His biggest fear was failure. He overcame this fear by accepting that failure is how you learn.
“Know that failing is part of the success.”
Tito’s advice to junior creatives intern is to “learn to identify consumer insights and to reach beyond the creative department.” He advises interns in all disciplines to “be eternally curious; be courageous. Don’t take anything personally.” And lastly, “know that failing is part of the success.”
Written by: Madison Sykes
Edited by: Delisha Upshaw
