Advertising students named “most promising” by American Advertising Federation

AUSTIN, Texas — Jan. 17, 2008 — Two advertising students at The University of Texas at Austin have been named “Most Promising Minority Students,” the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) premier award to recognize and recruit outstanding minority college graduates in advertising, marketing, media and communications.

Seniors Kristin Cardwell, of Round Rock, and Joe Grasso, of Galveston, are two of 50 students who will travel to New York City next month to meet recruiters from major advertising agencies, media companies and client organizations, and participate in professional development workshops over the course of three days. The industry immersion component of the program gives students exposure to the inner workings of major industry companies.

Students were selected based on their GPA, a recommendation letter from a faculty advisor and a 250-word essay articulating how they can become a successful industry professional and impact efforts to create a more inclusive advertising industry, among other criteria.

Both students were nominated by advertising professor John Murphy.

According to the AAF, this year’s class of students represents more than 35 colleges and universities from across the United States. The program will take place Feb 5–7 at the New York Athletic Club. This is the 12th year the AAF has organized this recruiting and immersion event.

The Most Promising Minority Students Program is managed by the AAF Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism. A full list of winners is available online (http://www.aaf.org/default.asp?id=728). For more information, contact Connie Frazier.

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Contact: Anna Grbenick
(202) 898-0089