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Spark KC, Presented by Hovey Williams

  • KU Edwards Campus 12600 Quivira Road Overland Park, KS, 66213 United States (map)

Spark KC Presented by Hovey Williams

Register now for Spark KC 2024, Kansas City's student advertising networking event! Students are invited to connect with local advertising experts, learn about marketing trends, the industry itself, and hear advice from keynote speakers. Maybe you’re set on a career in media buying, deciding between copywriting and account management or honestly have no idea – no matter what, you’ll find value in meeting professionals in the industry and connecting face-to-face about their experiences and potential opportunities. Plus, get set up for job and internship success with a one-on-one portfolio and/or resume review. For college students of any age, this is a can’t-miss event.

Schedule of Events:

  • 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Registration

  • 8:30 - 8:45 AM: Breakfast/Welcome/Ad Club Foundation

    • Presenters:

      • Zach Fargo (President, KC Ad Club)

      • Marianne Gjerstad (President, KC Ad Club Foundation)

  • 8:45 - 9:30 AM: Breakfast/The Hiring Equation: Gain insider knowledge on the skills, qualities, and experiences that advertising recruiters value most, empowering students to strategically position themselves for success in the job market.

    • Moderator: Suzanne Wolff (LandaJob)

    • Panelists:

      • Grant Leonard (Go Local Interactive)

      • Kelli Anstine (Bernstein-Rein)

      • Akiyaa Depusoir-Cochrane (Planted & The Brand Lab)

  • 9:30 - 10:15 AM: From Cap & Gown to 9 to 5: Navigating the journey from campus to career, offering expert advice on effective job hunting techniques, mastering interview skills, successfully transitioning from academic to professional life, and navigating the early stages of an advertising career, all while providing practical tips for long-term success in the industry.

    • Moderator: Cassie Slana (VML/WPP)

    • Panelists:

      • Hannah Knott (MMGY Global)

      • Maddie Schuck (Signal Theory)

      • Erin Giffin (Signal Theory)

      • Katie Herndon (BarkleyOKRP)

  • 10:15 - 10:30 AM: BREAK

  • 10:30- 11:15 AM: First Breakout Session

    Behind the Scenes: Peek into the crucial roles of account, project managers, and media planners while understanding how they orchestrate campaigns, manage client relationships, and ensure successful project execution.

    • Presenters: Derick Cunigan (NFL)

    • Panelists:

      • Vincent Townsend (VML/WPP)

      • Abby Holliman (VML/WPP)

      • Mary Kate Cresap (EVERSANA INTOUCH)

      • Kelly Schleisman (EVERSANA INTOUCH)

      Share, Like, Career: Uncover the dynamic realm of social media marketing, learning how professionals navigate platforms to build brand presence, engage audiences, and drive digital campaigns.

    • Moderator: Zach Fargo (Trabon Group)

    • Panelists:

      • Shana Ryan (Ryan Group Innovators)

      • Casey O'Connell (National Geographic)

      • Lindsey Leesmann (MERGE)

      • Keaton Guess (Microsoft)

  • 11:15- 11:30 AM: BREAK

  • 11:30 - 12:00 PM Harnessing Human Creativity in the Age of AI Keynote: Elijah Kleinsmith, Innovation and Technology Director at Signal Theory will explore the critical importance of human input in an AI era. Drawing from his expertise in building Signal Theory's bespoke AI system, Elijah will discuss how emerging AI technologies are reshaping the job market and creative industries and how you can use bleeding edge tools to stand out to employers in ways no one else is doing.

  • 12:00- 12:15 AM: BREAK

  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM Diversity in Advertising

    • Tom Demetriou (BarkleyOKRP)

    • Kimberly Chungong from (BarkleyOKRP)

  • 1:00 - 1:45 PM: Second Breakout Session

    Words that Sell: Explore the power of persuasive writing in advertising, understanding how copywriters and PR professionals craft messages that captivate audiences and drive action.

    • Moderator: Cole Sales (KC Ad Club)

    • Panelists:

      • Mitch Howard (Signal Theory)

      • Justin Ricklefs (Guild Collective)

      • Grant Gooding (PROOF)

      • Paige Stortz (Signal Theory)

    The Visual Storytellers: Dive into the world of visual communication, discovering how art directors and content producers bring brand stories to life through compelling designs and engaging video content.

    • Moderator: Joy Moeller (19 Below)

    • Panelists:

      • Lauren Langfitt (Signal Theory)

      • Halie Branson (MERGE)

      • Frankie Oviedo (Outrider)

      • David Kaufman (Outrider)

  • 1:45 - 3:00 PM: Career Fair: Local companies, agencies, and organizations confirmed to join us as exhibitors include:

    • Signal Theory

    • Trozzolo

    • emfluence

    • Garmin

    • Go Local Interactive

    • Hovey Williams

    • Freelance Exchange of Kansas City

    • DMH

    • MAC Council

    • Barkley

    • MMGY Global

    • Sandlot & Co.

    • VML

    • Walz Tetrick Advertising

Pricing:

  • Early-Bird Attendee Registration: $35 (If registered by Saturday, Saturday, Sept. 7th.)

  • Standard Attendee Registration: $45

  • Member Exhibitor Table: $150

  • Non-Member Exhibitor Table: $175



Sponsors:

About KC Ad Club:

Founded in August 1902 by Russell Whitman, the Kansas City Advertising Club is one of the oldest and largest American Advertising Federation (AAF) clubs nationwide, boasting nearly 2,000 members across the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. As a member of AAF District 9 and AAF National, the club is dedicated to serving the advertising and marketing industry through educational programming, volunteer opportunities and networking events. 

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Ad Hops at Torch House Studios Presented by StackAdapt