The American Advertising Federation's last fundraiser of the year was successful with more than 150 people in attendance and around $900 in profit.
Students, faculty, and visitors filled the seats of Pruis Hall despite the weather last night to watch the film "Art and Copy." The crowd put themselves in position to learn more about advertisements and the influential individuals that have made the biggest impact on the advertising world.
The beginning of the film included a statement from an advertiser defining what advertisement is: "Advertising creates things that get reaction out of what consumers wanted." As the film delved deeper into the topic, audience members began to go behind the scenes of what it takes to create advertisements.
"Art and Copy," which was sponsored by the College of Communication, Information and Media, the Department of Journalism, the Office of Information Technology, Student Affairs and One Lucky Guitar, allowed viewers to see how advertising has played a role in the creation and uprising of companies and brands such as Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Macintosh, MTV, Volkswagen, FedEx and Got Milk?
President of the organization Zachary Grimes said the film allowed him to learn more about advertising "heroes" he's read about in textbooks.
"It being the first time I've seen the film and being a student of advertising, it's kind of like learning from the best. These are not people you can just call on the phone, do a project and ask for their input. So it's kind of like your heroes," Grimes said. "In every textbook I've read about advertising, you read about these people and you hear about how they did things. And to actually hear it from them and see them and kind of learn about their personalities, it just speaks wonders."
Grimes said he thinks he speaks for a majority of the organization in saying that the film was inspirational. He also said the film reassured members that by getting an education in advertising, they are on the right track with what they want to do.
The film gave students who attended a different outlook on advertising.
Freshman political science major Mary Perrin said the film showed her a different side of the field.
"There is a lot more behind advertising. There is a depth to it that I didn't know existed and some companies actually care. Because as a consumer, everyone feels like they are pestered by advertising all of the time, which is true, but it showed me a different side of advertising," Perrin said.
Sophomore advertising major Liz Austin said the film validated her passion for advertising and that seeing the behind the scenes aspect of advertising was cool.
"I'm an advertising major, so imagery has always been a big part of my life and I got more of an inside look of what [advertising] really means to people ... kind of how people came up with the ideas. Because you always see the idea, but you never really understand the process that it took for the big idea to come about," Austin said.
Grimes said he hopes that from watching the film, students, especially those who are not advertising majors, learned that advertising plays a large role and is not just about selling products.
He said he was happy with the turnout of the event and that even if they didn't make a single dime, the film allowed AAF to provide students with an opportunity that not a lot of universities have.
"We just provided an educational opportunity that was a little different and it was fun. It was like watching a movie, but you learned a lot and you helped support a cause at the same time," Grimes said.
The money made from the screening will go toward AAF's goal of helping send students to this year's National Student Advertising Competition in Detroit.
Students interested in joining AAF can visit bsuaaf.org for more information or send an e-mail to aaf@bsu.edu.
The American Advertising Federation's next meeting will be tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Art and Journalism Building Room 289.
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