Lies You've Been Told About the Advertising Industry

A quick search for "false advertising" on Google news uncovers a hotbed of legal controversy surrounding big brands -- more than 50 pages worth for articles published in 2014 alone. Companies like Nestle, Nordstrom and Red Bull have sat under the media spotlight for the misleading claims made in their marketing efforts.

Not only have advertising lawsuits damaged individual brands, but the prevalence of these controversies in mainstream media has left consumers with a sour aftertaste. This negative attitude about the advertising industry perpetuates a multitude of myths. The four most common follow.

The Most Important Word in Blogging (And in Life)

Last weekend I turned 21 years old, and since then something's changed.

My entire 20th year, I felt an incurable angst at being nested between the clueless teenage years and the duty-laden world of years 21 and beyond. I approached with awkwardness such fundamental issues as "Am I too old to wear ripped jeans?" and "Should I file my own taxes this year?" I got fired for the first time at 20, and I didn't take it very well. I moved out of my parents' house, moved to a new city, started school at a new university and started The LC Studio. I bade a bittersweet farewell to 20 for the memories I made with it.

Maybe that's why I've been absent from blogging for three weeks. And why I've acquired a new-found love of jazz music, bedtime yoga and business casual Pinterest fashion. I'm not ashamed to admit I've shifted perspectives in the months leading up to my big day and in the few weeks since.

Brilliant Branding: What is a Brand?

Like a yearbook embodies a period of life for a school, a brand embodies the life of a business. Each + every one upholds a look + feel as distinctive as a yearbook photo – even the ones you hated the most (my three years of braces perpetuated merciless picture days).

A “brand” isn't just synonymous for a company, product or service; a brand encompasses the identity of those things. It personifies them. It gives them a face. Branding allows us to differentiate between the goofy, carefree personality of Google and the sleek, sophisticated personality of Apple.

All brands accomplish the same goals:

• Representing the values of the company
• Influencing consumer perception of the company
• Sustaining a relationship with consumers

In essence, branding controls how people feel about a company. All advertising, customer service, package design, hiring decisions + web design cater to branding.

4 Musts for Any Advertising Major

Mad Men personality Don Draper once said, "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation." Therein lies the hallmark of the wonderful world of advertising: Influencing consumer conversation -- whether interpersonal or intrapersonal -- with the distinctive voice of a brand's campaigns.

Though in actuality the industry exists as much more "lax" than luxe, advertising fosters a creative, fun and fast-paced learning environment for those lucky enough to land positions within it.

I chose to study advertising because the shoe fit; my knowledge of journalism and graphic design combined with my passion for digital media and psychology led me to the advertising field like a beaming, neon arrow.

1. FIND YOUR NICHE

Advertising is characterized by four pillars: Account services, account planning, media planning and creative (which includes art and copywriting). Account services focus on client relationships, account and media planning research consumer behavior and the creative team crafts advertisement wording and design.

2. LEARN NEW MEDIA SKILLS

Advertising targets emerging platforms like social media as its new primary form of exposure. Adopting knowledge of SEO, coding, and even blogging will benefit you threefold when it comes time for that interview. This list of the most in-demand digital marketing skills explains how you can start developing those mentioned plus more right now.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO ADS

While most people can't escape them quick enough, it's your job to keep an eye out. Whether on TV, in magazines or online, paying attention to advertisements will clue you in on the do's and don'ts of great campaigns.

4. BE COMMITTED

Not trait persuades more than passion.You can't teach a person to love an industry, but you can teach them the skillsets associated with it. Embrace your interest in your advertising niche and use it to inspire others -- amateurs and experts.

What's the next step for you in your pursuit of an advertising degree?

Leave a comment below or reach out to The LC Studio on Twitter.

How to Make the Very Best of a Communications Degree

Congratulations, young Padawan, on your interest in pursuing communications! I jump for joy at the expansion of the population of young professional communicators. We aren't like everyone else. It's okay; We can say that. It's our little secret. Bask in the egotism for a second, because the bad news is next.

Unlike other students, the plight of the communication major entails both classroom conscientiousness and real world experience. In the end, the worth of your communication degree equates to more than just the number of tests you aced or spirals you filled. Don't let those be all you can show for years of hard work. Follow these tips to ensure you make the very best of your time, money and degree.