Photo: Alexis Mood (left); Liana Miller (right)
Posted Nov. 13, 2014
By Haley Hinze, first year M.M.C. student
Alexis Mood wrote, "I was once told that creativity is like a candle and as advertising professionals, it's our job to shield it from the millions of people attempting to blow it out. I am confident that if given the opportunity to spread my wings in this industry, I will be able to protect and defend the creativity of our generation."
Mood has had a passion for advertising since high school. In her time at USC, she has completed several internships and received numerous awards and recognitions from within the advertising community. Now a senior in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, she is one of two students from the school named by the American Advertising Federation among the nation's Most Promising Multicultural Students.
Liana Miller, the other recipient of the award, describes herself as an "aspiring mad woman" and "design enthusiast" with "boundless" creativity. She was attracted to graphic design while taking courses as a public relations major. At first, she wasn't sure how to meld her skills into a career. "All of these skills were merely puzzle pieces; I didn't know where I could put them all together. "
Completing several internships and freelance jobs helped her explore the various aspects of communications — from visuals to social media. "Adding together all of these experiences and innate qualities, I now see that the big piece is advertising," she said.
The MPMS program is part of the AAF initiative to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry. The new class of 50 Most Promising students is selected by advertising professionals from applicants from the AAF's 200 college chapters. Those students represent the top of their class, and the federation says they have passionately demonstrated their future success in the industry through internships, leadership activities, community service, innovation and creativity.
Advertising Professor Bonnie Drewniany, who serves as adviser to the Student Advertising Federation, wrote letters of recommendation for Mood and Miller.
Drewniany described Liana as "a standout." She said, "Liana's major is public relations, but her true passion is advertising. She is every professor's dream student.”
About Alexis, she wrote, "I could go on about the many wonderful attributes of Alexis. I have waited since she was a freshman for the opportunity to nominate her for this prestigious award. I am delighted to finally have the opportunity to do so today."
As recipients of the Most Promising Multicultural Students award, the two USC students will participate in a four-day conference that immerses the winners in the professional advertising world. The program will be held in February 2015 in New York City.