DDB Chicago | Totally Qualified

Last, but certainly not least, summer 2019's finale features President and COO of DDB U.S. Paul Gunning, alongside hosts Tatom O'Donnell and Birdie Jackson. They talk his perspectives on advertising, leadership, Pauls' sports addiction, and much more! Stay tuned to the end for Paul's great advice not only for interns but for anyone in the industry. Thank you, Paul!

How can you have a podcast from one of Chicago’s biggest advertising agencies without talking about advertisements? Listen in as Creative Interns Regina Galan and Anna Jacobs talk to Senior Writer Lauren Riddoch and Senior Strategist Jamie Kohler about what it takes to make good ads and how to be disruptive in today’s competitive market.

Get some insider advice from a group of DDB Chicago interns, Birdie Jackson, Michaela Brennen, Margo Trubiano, and Esther Park, as they offer tips and tricks to standing out in a new position. It can be a nerve racking trying to find your place in a well established team, but with these intern’s advice you’ll be in the group chat before you know it.

Inspiration can strike from anywhere as long as you’re paying attention. Associate Creative Director, Jenny Luong joins Studio Intern, Tatom O’Donnell, to give advice on how to dive deep to find your creative hook (because who knows what you’ll stumble upon), and the importance of finding a personal creative outlet.

How do you keep your creativity sharp in the agency world? Design interns, Julia Tavrides and Lizzie Gullickson, join creative intern team, Regina Galan and Ana Echols, to discuss how they all keep their inspiration flowing throughout work assignments and individual passion projects.

With the ever-changing social landscape catching the world’s attention, how can brands become a part of the conversation in a way that actually connects with their audience? Listen as Social + Digital Intern, Birdie Jackson, talks to VP of Digital Direction, Nico Nieto, about how to create the most effective, creative and meaningful content for social platforms.

In a world that is constantly evolving into becoming more culturally inclusive and aware, DDB Chicago employees, Taylor Styduhar and Mari Eboli, join interns, Esther Park and Jessica Nosike, to discuss how diversity has a permanent seat at the table in advertising.

From imposter syndrome to where inspiration can strike, one of DDB Chicago’s graphic designers, Carolyn Pokorney, chats with design interns Julia Tavrides and Lizzie Gullickson about the life of a designer. For aspiring creatives and general agency employees alike, the insight and advice Pokorney offers can bring both comfort and excitement to this side of agency life.

Starting a new position at a big agency can be a daunting adventure - especially when you also have to move to a new city for it. Listen as four of DDB Chicago’s Summer Interns, Tatom O’Donnell, Margo Trubiano, Lizzie Gullickson, and Birdie Jackson, discuss not only how they’ve adjusted to the new office culture, but also how to best feel at home in a big city.

Where would interns be without their mentors? Listen in as Army Account Intern, Kira Blanchflower, interviews her mentor David Quinn, Army Account Executive, about his journey from intern to full time employee; tips on how to make the most of your internship, and golden tips for thriving in the agency world.

In a vast sea of job opportunities, listen to the journey’s of Anna Jacobs, Michaela Brennan, Henry Moskal, and Audrey Shaefer to hear how they ended up in the 2019 DDB Chicago Summer Internship. Their experiences range from attending portfolio school to having no previous internship experience. These four interns explain how there’s no one road that gets you to a profession in the ad world — regardless of background, if someone is passionate about the work they do, they’ll end up in the right place eventually.

Kicking off Totally Qualified, four of DDB Chicago’s 2019 summer interns Kira Blanchflower, Margaret Kaufman, Julia Tavrides, and Jessica Nosike discuss their summer positions in the agency, what led them to DDB specifically, and why they chose to dive into the crazy world of advertising in the first place. Listen as the group walks through what skills brought them to advertising versus other professions, how their internships have deepened their love for the work, and what makes this industry so incredible.

Welcome to Totally Qualified: A collaborative podcast that is aimed at navigating the advertising world, agency culture, and how to thrive and survive as told by a group of DDB interns who may or may not be totally qualified.