Tuesday started with some exercise, as the 21 DAF national winners trekked the two blocks from their midtown Atlanta hotel to Boys & Girls Clubs of America headquarters.
After a brief tour of BGCA and a group photo, the teens and tweens picked up the pace again as they walked two more blocks to the days' second appointment.
MS&L
At public relations firm MS&L, Managing Director Rob Baskin welcomed his visitors with good news. Even during this current recession, he stated, P.R. remains a growing field, as companies need to continue to "tell their stories" to sell their products. Baskin also emphasized that good writers and video editors are always in demand in this field.
Members also got a quick education on branding and awareness campaigns MS&L has conceived and executed for Coca-Cola for the Bejing Olympics; McDonald's new McCafe line; and Best Buy's "Black Friday MVP" promotion. MS&L was also generous with the freebies, laying lots of cool freebies on the DAF crew, including digital cameras, T-shirts and backpacks.
The Art Institute
The afternoon was spent at the Atlanta campus of the The Art Institute, where careers in creative fields was the main topic of discussion. Digital media and video production, industrial design, animation, graphic design, game design, and especially web design were all described as strong career paths for the foreseeable future.
ESPN Zone
Our day wrapped up in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, a popular shopping and dining district. Our destination, of course, the ESPN Zone. With tons of video games, bowling, hockey, pop-and-shot basketballs and an all-you-can-eat buffet, our visitors completed their day in style.
Raymond of BGC of Metro Denver unwraps the digital camera he won at MS&L.
Ariel from Camp Zama in Japan is born to be wild at ESPN Zone!
At ESPN Zone, Marlon of Rockford, Ill., lays out for “Ballistics.”
At MS&L, Breanna and Desi, both 12, taste-test McCafe Hot Chocolate from McDonalds, one of the firm’s clients.
12-year-old Naima represents BGC of King County, Wa. …she is slowly coming out of her shell.
In conference, our Club kids discuss the McDonalds McCafe branding campaign with MS&L’s Kristal McKanders.
The national winners listen closely as MS&L Atlanta Managing Director Rob Baskin explains the workings of the agency.