Adulting is Hard: How Young Professionals Succeed in the Advertising Industry

We heard some of our industry’s brightest young ad professionals talk about what they’ve learned on their road to success. They shared valuable insights and tips about breaking into the advertising industry and getting ahead once you’ve made it in. Attendees learned how to turn internships into full-time jobs and how to find the best mentors. Each panelist shared tips on how to be taken seriously when you’re the youngest person in the room. They discussed the things they wish they had known before they joined the industry.

During this event the panelists shared firsthand experience and advice so that attendees could learn not only best practices, but also about rising trends in the industry. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and network with panelists once the 60-minute discussion is complete.

If you are interested in becoming a panel member for future “6 in 60″ events, please contact one of AAF Omaha’s Education Co-Chairs Mike Gilloon or Shiletha Snoddy.

Mike Gilloon: mgilloon@bozell.com
Shiletha Snoddy: ssnoddy@skar.com

Panelists:

Mandy Yahnke // Senior Account Manager at Oath
Mandy’s marketing career started 12 years ago as a summer promotions assistant at a local radio group. Other past roles include National Sales at KMTV, and her last role as an agency media buyer. Mandy has been with Oath (formally Yahoo!) for the last five years and loves the opportunity to support clients from the publisher side. Notable client history includes Match.com, JustFab, and Weight Watchers. Outside of the office, Mandy enjoys spending time with her husband Brett (who also works at Oath!) and her golden retriever puppy Roy, volunteering in pediatrics at UNMC, as well as watching a LOT of basketball.
Delaney Nelson // PR/Marketing Manager at White Lotus
Delaney joined the White Lotus team in November 2017 as a PR/Marketing Manager. She began her marketing and public relations career at an advertising agency in Omaha, NE as an Account Manager. After her time there, she was a brand marketing specialist at Hayneedle where she established the brand both locally and nationally through key brand partnerships and strategic public relations efforts. She is a graduate of the University of South Dakota where she earned a B.A. in strategic communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. She was also a member of the women’s swim team.
JD Haskell  / / Marketing Strategist – Redstone
JD began working around media in 2012 when he interned for the local sports radio show “The Schick and Nick Show”. After working as the marketing director at a small medical clinic in Bellevue, JD began working on the home service team at Redstone servicing their home service clients across the country. JD has become a subject matter expert in media strategy, creative message, and content marketing for lead generation and response marketing. JD spends his time with his son James, and likes to spend as much time in the outdoors, hiking, alpine skiing, cycling and motorcycle riding during the summer months.
Sara Wilson// Vice president of Account Service & PR-SKAR
Sara wedged her foot into the door of the agency world by grabbing a job as a PR account coordinator at a branding firm in the DC area. Since then, she’s worked in account service for clients in health care to wealth care and pro-pizza to anti-terrorism. Now vice president of account service and PR at SKAR, she feels so lucky to work with good, smart people every day. When she’s not at the office, you can find her at home with her husband Derek and their two pomeranians, Oswin and Rose. Sara earned her Bachelor’s of Journalism in advertising and her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in marketing from UNL, graduating summa cum laude.
Matt Sueper // Copy Writer – Bozell
Matt started his career at Bozell four years ago after participating in summer internships at Swanson Russell and Bozell. He’s been shifty-eyed at his desk ever since, pretending he knows what he’s doing for clients including First National Bank, College World Series of Omaha, Inc. and Valmont Industries. When not at work, he enjoys nerdy dude stuff like Creighton basketball, NBA drama and rewatching Lord of the Rings.