Liggett Stashower Intern Blog

Thank You.

2011-08-09T13:12:00.005-04:00

Well, we made it through the summer in one piece. My short stay at Liggett Stashower is coming to a close and I’m not surprised to say that this experience has been one to remember, and I’m also not surprised to say it went way too fast. I’m sure five or ten years from now wherever I end up will be in part because of the short time I got to spend here at Liggett Stashower. I can’t thank everyone here enough for bringing us in and guiding us along the way. I’ve had a chance to truly find out if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and it is. I’ve also had the chance to meet a lot of great people with whom I’m sure I will keep in contact long after I’ve gone.

I guess I will stick to my promise from nearly a month ago by continuing my list, since then I have:

• Designed my very first Prezi to be presented to the agency about the book called Logo Design Love. Feel free to venture into the iconic elements of logo design with me by checking it out here.

• Crawled (figuratively) around Cleveland with a group of pretty rad interns who just happened to all be lovely young ladies, lucky me.

• Doubled my total of Indians games attended this year by bumping the total up to two. In one case we sat in the Social suite, and in both cases we watched the Indians lose.

• Put together nearly 175 client press kits filled with a combined total of around 700 flip flop sandals.

• Carved up the Ham Day ham

• Came out of my Adobe Flash retirement to design a few web banners, and it definitely felt nice to relearn some things.

• Made 21 paper unicorn dolls to be sneakily placed around the office.

• Learned, very poorly, how to throw cards. Just don’t ask.

• Did around 50 takes in order to develop the new intern video clip for Ligget.com where I also got to use Adobe Premiere for the very first time so be on the lookout for that coming soon.

Just like last time the list doesn’t do my time here justice, but it gives you a little snippet of insight. I hope if you’re reading this as an incoming intern my posts have helped fuel your excitement and anticipation for what your about to experience, and if you’re reading this just for the sake of reading it then I hope I wasn’t too boring. I can’t hit you guys with my signature ‘catch you next week’ line this time so I’ll leave you with some ways to follow me on into the future. You’re more than welcome to catch up with me on twitter @DonDraperDunn or check out my blog at donaldjdunn.wordpress.com.

Thanks for reading, and thanks again to Liggett Stashower and everyone who had an influence on me throughout the summer.

Don D.

Creative Intern

The end is just the beginning (Sorry for the nauseating-but-true-in-this-case cliché)

2011-08-09T08:31:00.003-04:00

It’s here: My last week as a Liggett Stashower intern. Don’s ready to head off to vacation, Alyse is going back down to Miami University, and Alyssa is extending her internship one extra week.

As for me, I am lucky enough to stay on at Liggett full-time. I was offered (and gladly accepted!) a copywriting position. My first official day is August 22. I am so excited to become a member of the Liggett Stashower family! In a way, I already feel like I am. All of us interns were accepted from day one. Sure, we’ve been called “the interns” or someone has said “make an intern do it,” but it was in the least derogatory way. And when an intern had to do whatever it was, it was never getting coffee…but maybe beer.

Aside from the fantastic experiences and exposure to client work and agency life, we all got to learn a little more about Cleveland and (I hope I’m not going out on a limb here) got to be friends. It’s strange that by the end of this week I won’t be seeing my fellow interns every day at work. I wish they were all staying on, too. And I know plenty of other people at Liggett feel the same way.

It seems like everything is moving so fast for me right now. I graduate college this weekend, and I start a full-time job soon after. Not that I would ever complain about either of those things, but it is a little scary to be out in the world as an adult (or at least almost adult). I need to get a car. And I need to learn how to drive on the freeway. No joke: I’ve never driven on the freeway. So look out, Cleveland commuters!

To sum it all up, my time at Liggett has been one of learning, growing and fun. I know I’m getting dangerously close to crossing the cliché line again, but I can’t help it if it’s true.

See you the 22nd, Liggett!

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

The Closer

2011-08-08T16:26:00.006-04:00

Don't worry folks, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...I just haven't blogged in a while. At the beginning of my internship with Liggett Stashower, I didn't think that I would ever be too busy to do my weekly blog. It turns out I was wrong. For these past couple of weeks I have been swamped with media relations, PR writing and client meetings. We've also had some great experiences as a group of interns; finalizing our t-shirts, Ham Day and our intern party. I've even been able to take the lead on some other projects for LS. Gaining more responsibility has not only taught me some great lessons for the future, but it has also made me feel valued as an LS intern.

But now that I'm finally getting to catch up with my weekly intern blog post, it's time for me to bid you adieu. I honestly cannot explain how quickly my summer with Liggett has flown by...nor could I document each important lesson and skill I learned while I was here. I felt accepted from day 1 in the office and now that I have relationships with my coworkers it is incredibly hard for me to say goodbye! Luckily, I go to school close-by so I'll be able to easily keep in touch with everyone that I've gotten to know over the course of my internship. So, with this last blog post, I would like to thank everyone who has impacted my experience at Liggett Stashower. I'm proud to say I spent an amazing summer at LS...a summer that I will always remember!

If you're interested on keeping up with my senior year at Baldwin-Wallace follow me on Twitter (@aapurvis) or check out my personal blog at http://alyssaapurvis.wordpress.com/.

Thanks for the memories!
Alyssa
Brand Management Intern

Looking Back

2011-08-05T09:07:00.013-04:00

I thought I'd sum up my experience here by sharing my desk and some memories with you.

(You can view it bigger here)

Alyse E.
Creative Intern

The Big Reveal

2011-08-04T08:31:00.012-04:00

Tonight’s the night where we finally get to unveil our big group project. The intern t-shirts are finished, and they look great. We went over to 717 Ink on Monday thinking we were just picking up a box of finished shirts, but when we arrived they had a lot more planned for us. We actually had the chance to screen-print some of our own shirts, and they gave us the full tour as well. It was a really cool little field trip. Below you can check out some pictures I took throughout the process.

We also printed paper dolls to go with the shirts that can be a memory of our intern class long after we’re gone.

Catch you guys next week for my final post.

Don D.

Creative Intern

Happy Ham Day!

2011-07-29T10:47:00.010-04:00

Today we celebrate the bi-annual LS holiday by feasting on ham and sharing our intern book presentations. If I could, I would send some ham over the internet so that you could share in the feasting, but as that technology is currently unavailable to me, the best thing I can do to share the celebration with you is to give you a summary of the book I am presenting on.
“The Big Book of Package Design” is my kind of book–97% pictures. It is a wonderful resource for gathering design inspiration. The book opens with brief remarks from the authors. In his opening comments, Will Burke breaks down the characteristics of good packaging. First of all, good packaging is meaningful. It communicates a shared value between the brand and the target audience. It tells them that the product is something they need or want. Secondly, good packaging is compelling. It causes consumers to identify with the brand by offering a new experience, different choice, or fitting into their lifestyle in a new and unexpected way. Finally, good packaging is authentic. It clearly conveys the product or experience the consumer will be purchasing. It sticks to brand values rather than only to trends. This summary of good packaging gave me a lens through which to evaluate the many examples of packaging that the next 375 pages contained. Here are a few of my favorite package designs from the book, and what I liked about them.

Student work by Stephen Rennekamp and Todd Vachon
Compelling: use of wit turns the package itself to turn into a conversation piece
Authentic: package visually communicates milk+beer(+humor), which is exactly what the product is.

Karacters Design Group, for Silver Hills Bakery
Meaningful: communicates that the product is natural/healthy with muted colors and the texture and color of the bread
Compelling: clear windows in bag cause unexpected interaction between the product and the packaging
Authentic: natural-looking packaging communicates whole grain bread

Meaningful: fun for kids, helpful to parents
Compelling: offers a new/unique handwashing experience
Authentic: fun, stands out, unique

Alyse E.
Creative Intern

Keep on keeping on

2011-07-27T10:05:00.006-04:00

There is still so much I need to get done before that looming date of August 12 arrives. It makes me tired just thinking about it. But then, when I think about it a little more, it makes me excited. Take these last couple weeks, for example. We’ve all got so much to do. The interns went to last Wednesday's Indians game, where we tweeted about the game from the Social Suite! I’ve got loads of copy to write, edit and start sending to the client throughout the week. Last Friday was Ham Day, which was tasty, fun and far less stressful than I thought it would be, as the intern book report presentations had to be rescheduled due to unexpected client work.

Yesterday, the interns got to tour 717 Ink and help screen print our intern t-shirts. They look great! But I can't post any pictures of them until our big reveal at tomorrow's Intern Party/Parent Night. We'll be showing our parents the cool stuff we've done this summer and giving them a look around Liggett.

That’s a lot going on.

And then I think about the other jobs or internships I could have had this summer. I doubt that any week or two at another place of employment would be this crazy/fun. The Liggett interns get to do work any intern would hope to be involved with, and we get to experience so much that is outside of the agency but still all about the industry. I’m sure many people would love to go to an Indians game during the middle of a workday. Who wouldn’t? But we were looking forward to the social media experience we got to have just as much as we were the game itself.

Work is challenging. Work is stressful. But my work at Liggett Stashower has never been dull. That alone is far more than many people can say about their jobs.

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

In a Perfect World No One Would Compromise

2011-07-26T14:34:00.003-04:00

In a perfect world the client would instantly fall in love with all of the designer’s first drafts, budgets would be thrown out the window completely, and just for good measure we would all be millionaires living in mansions. It’s pretty safe to say that this isn’t the world we live in. Throughout the intern t-shirt design project our design has seen a lot of drafts and a lot of compromise. Keep in mind that this is a fun project for the interns, but it also gives us a little taste of what the process is like when taking an idea from concept to print while ‘working for a client’. Our client is technically the agency, but we still had to write up a creative brief as well as stay under a set budget.

Since the initial stages of our design process, the final design has seen about ten to fifteen different drafts with as many color choices. Then once we decided upon a final design we had to take into account our budget. Apparently all over prints with twelve different colors don’t come cheap, but I like to think you should always leap for the moon before reeling yourself back down to reality. I’m not going to call myself a finicky designer, but I’m a finicky designer. I don’t like to compromise, but like I said before, this isn’t a perfect world and I’m not the one footing the bill. So after reviewing the budget we figured out that this twelve color all over print needed to be something more like a 5-color basic screen-printed t-shirt. I think the design world isn’t so much about settling to satisfy your client, but I think it is more about making a compromise that makes the client and yourself satisfied. At the end of the day you are working for your client, but you always want to make sure that you are proud of the product you’re putting out. I’m not going to show you guys our final design just yet, but here is a little sneak preview.

Also, I wanted to show you guys the 2011 Intern Crawl Group photo so check that out below, and like always, catch you guys next week.

Don D.

Creative Intern

Here's just a few of my favorite things...

2011-07-21T16:53:00.003-04:00

At our monthly agency meeting on Wednesday, each of the interns took part in the "Favorite Game", a timed questionnaire that put us on the spot in front of all our co-workers at LS. Needless to say, it can make a girl kind of nervous. Luckily, I rattled off my favorites quickly enough to earn the top spot among the interns.

Today, after reminiscing on yesterday, I decided it was one of my favorite days here as an intern at LS. Part of what made it so great was the intern crawl that we organized. We met with interns from other agencies around town like Brokaw, Dix & Eaton, Cleveland Magazine and Landau PR. I loved to have the opportunity to walk around the great city of Cleveland and talk about our experiences with one another. We went to each agency and toured their space...each of them was so unique! At LS, I found that I was extremely proud of the work we do here as interns. It was fun to be able to brag about the projects we've been a part of and the awesome people we work with. Not to mention, everyone LOVED our office.

Now that my time here at Liggett Stashower is winding down, I'm starting to realize all my favorite things about working here: the unicorn designs plastered around my cubicle, the zebra printed Duck® Tape that covers my cup full of pens and the opportunity to work with some of the greatest minds in the communication industry. So, to quote the great "Sound of Music", if I'm ever having a slow day where I'm feeling tired, "I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad."

See ya next week!

Alyssa

-Brand Management Intern

< You're It! >

2011-07-20T11:37:00.012-04:00

Last Monday, I began work on a small web project. I was excited to start some interactive work, as I am considering pursuing a career in that field. I was a little nervous at first, as it has been several months since I have done any HTML/CSS, but I only needed to do some very basic HTML and swap out some pictures, so it was a nice project to get me back into the flow of web work.

The possibilities brought about by innovative merging of technology and art are remarkable, and this is why the field of interactive design is appealing to me. I began looking into interactive design more after taking a class on Processing. Processing is a java-based “open source programming language and environment for people who want to create images, animations, and interactions.” (http://processing.org/) I love the way art-programming and web design combine logic and creativity. As frustrating as it can be to search through your code for the missing semi-colon or end tag, it is incredibly satisfying once you find it!

A couple cool examples of what can be done in Processing:

http://www.openprocessing.org/visuals/?visualID=12942

http://www.openprocessing.org/visuals/?visualID=20140

Alyse E.
Creative Intern

The long and the short of it

2011-07-19T11:53:00.003-04:00

At this point during my time at Liggett, I've been able to work on both quick, turn-it-around-in-an-hour projects and time-consuming, you’ll-be-working-on-this-for-the-next-month projects. And both have proven to be challenging and exciting in different ways.

Copywriting tasks that are expected to be completed ASAP or in an hour or two can make me nervous- especially when I feel like the ideas or words just won’t come. But that nervousness can help energize me and get my mind going. It’s also a great feeling to complete an assignment quickly and efficiently. It’s rewarding to see a finished (or at least nearly finished) product in such a short amount of time.

But the longer projects are a different story. They take dedication and a lot of organization. I’m working on writing what will end up totaling much more than 10 pages of website copy for a client right now. While it is worthwhile to be so highly involved with the overall content of the site, it can be a challenge to maintain a high level of excitement about the project, as it will last more than a month. However, it is reassuring to know that there is time to fully collect my thoughts and organize the content as clearly as possible.

After working on long-term and short-term projects, I know I wouldn’t want there to be only one or the other. Like it’s said, everything in moderation. And I’m glad I’ve been able to experience both.

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

Crawling With Interns

2011-07-18T17:03:00.003-04:00

The intern crawl is nearly upon us. It’s a Liggett Stashower planned event just for us. We, well Isabelle mostly, rounded up other interns throughout downtown Cleveland in an effort to give us a greater picture of the agency scene around this area. We are going to grab lunch with all of the interns around noon this Wednesday, and then the game plan is to visit each of our respective agencies (five including our own). I think this is a great idea, and an awesome way to get a little taste of some of the other agencies in the surrounding area. We may not be returning to LS after we graduate, but who knows, we may end up somewhere else in Cleveland, so what better way to get our foot in the door? I’m pretty interested to talk and compare internship experiences with all of the other interns. My guess is they will pale in comparison, but joking aside I’m excited for the experience. Networking with other interns will probably prove just as important as with anyone else because 5 or 10 years down the road we will probably be in positions to help one another out.

On a less exciting note, we have less than a month remaining here at Liggett. I can only try to ignore how fast it will go, and attempt to squeeze all of the experience that I can out of each remaining day. The summer has been blazing by, and I imagine things won’t be slowing down.

Catch you guys next week.

Don D.

Creative Intern

We're No One-Trick Ponies

2011-07-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

One of the biggest projects that has been a part of our internship experience here at LS is the intern t-shirt design. None of us really did too much with the project until the last week or so, when the entries in our timesheets seemed to be full of mostly t-shirt activity.

The project is designed to allow the interns to capture their experience at LS in a fun and interesting way...which is exactly what we have been doing. For me, it was difficult to envision a final product because I'm not as creative as the other three interns. But when we all came together in the war room on the creative side, I could feel myself feeding off of their imaginative minds.

We ended up going with a unicorn theme, something mystical to represent our magical time here at LS. As we approached our final design, it was amazing to sit back and watch all of us work together. We all brought something special to the table, whether it was a catchphrase, a drawing, or the vendor communication skills to pull it all together.

That being said, I couldn't be happier with the outcome of our t-shirt design even though it's not quite completed. I have a feeling that when it is, it will be a design that embodies our hard work and skills learned while interning here at Liggett Stashower.

'til next time...

-Alyssa P.
Brand Management Intern

Interdisciplinary Art

2011-07-13T13:37:00.047-04:00

Last weekend I went to an art gallery opening in Chicago–“Interrogating the Future of Interdisciplinary Practice”. The pieces experimented with creating art in non-traditional ways through various disciplines. I find fine art and commercial art are very different in many ways. However, the things I learned while looking through the art gallery apply just as much in advertising as they do in fine art.

One piece that I would recommend checking out was a performance piece that addressed where we are (first movement), where we should be (second movement), and where we are going (third movement). The artist performed the piece using a board he created that controlled the audio (speed, scrubbing, pitch and volume) and visuals (arrow size, position, and repulsion) of the piece. I like that this piece could in theory be left in a gallery for viewers to interact with and compose for themselves. I didn't get a picture of this, but you can check out the video here.

Another one of my personal favorites explored capturing motion in sculpture. The artist used motion capture technology to track the movement of a person in 3D space and log it on the computer. Then, after capturing the speed, path, and rotation of the movement, he translated this information visualization into a sculpture. I find this piece interesting because it conveys information in a new and unexpected way. It precisely captures the beauty of a time-based performance and, adding nothing to it and taking nothing away from it, translates it into a static object. This piece is appealing on a logical level as well as a creative level–an important thing to keep in mind not only in the fine arts, but in advertising, too.

Check out a more in-depth description

I was drawn more to the pieces with more complex concepts that left a bit of a gap for the viewer to complete than I was to those with more straightforward concepts that required less cognition. For example, one piece on display was a Flash game entitled “Human Hunt”. Based on the game “Duck Hunt”, the concept behind this piece was ducks getting revenge on humans. The piece was identical to “Duck Hunt” except that you played as a duck shooting humans. Though humorous, the straightforward irony of this piece was not very engaging to me. David Moore emphasized this viewer-completed gap as an important part of advertising and explained it through the metaphor of a spark plug. If the gap is too far, there is no spark. The viewer can’t make the connection. If the gap is too close, there is no spark. The connection is too obvious and doesn’t engage the viewer. But if the gap is just the right distance, there is a spark. The viewer completes the ‘circuit’. The work engages them.

I will close this week with a few more pictures from the gallery. It was an interesting collection of work that reminded me of some important aspects of art and advertising and inspired me to continue to explore use of non-traditional media when producing work.

Alyse E.
Creative Intern

I'll be in a meeting

2011-07-12T09:18:00.005-04:00

Meetings can consume your day. Meetings with clients, with account teams or, as would be my case, with a designer. But just because meetings can eat away at your hours doesn’t mean they aren’t productive or, at times, pretty enjoyable.

Throughout my time interning at Liggett, I've had the opportunity to attend various meetings and hold a few of my own with fellow interns. Not only do I get to sit in on meetings with clients, but I’m encouraged to participate and provide thoughtful input when I can. While this can be intimidating, it is incredibly beneficial for all of us interns to experience. We’ll be leading our own meetings eventually, calling clients and presenting our ideas to them. And that would be terrifying without practice.

Yesterday, I attended an all-day client meeting. I was nervous, but I did my homework beforehand and was ready to try to be a productive attendee. And I think I did rather well. I'm sure I’ll become more comfortable and confident at meetings, once I go to more of them.

In a way, we’ll be tested on communication and interpersonal skills before our time at Liggett is up. One of our final client/public speaking/join the real advertising world experiences at LS will be our intern book report presentations during Ham Day festivities. Luckily, everyone will be scarfing down tasty ham, so if I stumble here or there it might go unnoticed.

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

A List Always Looks Longer

2011-07-07T08:58:00.006-04:00

As we are nearing the halfway mark of this internship, I feel like it is a good time to reflect on some of my accomplishments. Over the duration of the past month I have:

• Created a line illustration of Santa sporting his favorite Hawaiian hat and aviators.

• Painted around 80 tiny door knobs to eventually be placed on, you guessed it, 80 tiny doors.

• Illustrated myself as a zombified unicorn man.

• Put together 15 plastic megaphones.

• Done a lot of word-mapping, which we could map to brainstorming, which might eventually lead to mapping the word bonkers.

• Put around 50 paint cans into bigger paint cans, and then put that can into a box. Try and keep up.

• Designed and laid out some ad roughs that would eventually be printed... Over and over until the printer decided to comply.

• Photoshopped our intern shirt design onto 15 different colored shirts. You can only be sure you don't like something if you try it.

That is just a little insight into my daily accomplishments, but the list could go on and on. Maybe when the end draws near I will compile some more. Catch you guys next week.

Creative Intern
Don D.

Go play

2011-07-05T09:05:00.012-04:00

I’ve been finding it difficult to think creatively when the pressure is on. And in an advertising agency, it seems the pressure’s always on. I have had no trouble with the straightforward projects where I am expected to do exactly what is on the creative brief, but I have been having some difficulty with the more open-ended projects where I have a certain amount of time to come up with an awesome idea and/or design. Creativity is the business. Having a process to follow that helps through creative slumps is necessary. It's not like in school, where you have a few days or a week to brainstorm and refine an idea.

Last week at our lunch with David Moore, we asked his advice about what to do when you feel you are lacking ideas and can’t seem to find creative inspiration. His response was “Go away and go play”. Sometimes you need to completely take a break from the project, go do something else and come back to it later. This is one reason it is important to have interests and hobbies outside of your job. After a long weekend of cookouts, fireworks, concerts and discount-store shopping, I think I am ready to get creative and tackle these projects.

Alyse E.
Creative Intern

The one-month mark

2011-07-04T20:44:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow I will have been interning at Liggett Stashower for a month. I can’t believe how quickly it has gone. And I can’t believe how much I’ve been able to experience in just one month here.

From radio spots to the intern t-shirts, I’ve been exposed to many different projects, all of which have taught me something. Much of the learning has involved taking the clients’ feedback to produce copy or concepts that are still creative, yet follow the clients’ guidelines or preferences. This was especially true when I had to write a radio spot for one client and brainstorm campaign ideas for another. My initial attempts were not, as I was told by Liggett Creatives on the account, what the client was looking for. After several rounds of edits and brainstorming sessions, I was able to create something Liggett was satisfied with and something that could be presented to the client.

As far as the intern t-shirt goes, our intern team has worked well together from day one on the project. It’s been fun to begin a project at the beginning. While that may seem silly to say, most of the other work we’ve had involved jumping into a project in the middle and quickly producing material to send to the client.

And last week, the interns were able to have lunch with Liggett President David Moore. Not only was the lunch fun and relaxed, but it was also informative and educational. Mr. Moore shared with us how his career developed, how he deals with creativity blocks and how we can get ahead in the industry.

The coming month holds only more learning experiences and exciting opportunities. Field trips to nearby businesses, the Intern Agency Crawl and the much-anticipated Ham Day are all on the horizon. And I’m looking forward to all of it!

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

Timing's Everything

2011-07-01T08:55:00.003-04:00

The week leading up to a holiday weekend usually drags along, but can you believe it's already Friday? It's quiet here today, which makes it easy for me to focus on some of the projects I've got to finish up before a 3-day weekend full of fireworks and patriotism.

My lesson for this week was all about timing. Whether it's catching a bus or finding a job, timing's everything. This lesson became clear to me when the other interns and myself sat down to lunch with Liggett's Managing Partner & President, David Moore. David has been with LS for almost 10 years, which is almost unheard of in this industry. At first I was a little nervous to meet with David, worried that we would be wasting his time. But I was quickly relaxed when I realized how willing he was to sit with us and just talk about his experiences. He took a break from his chaotic schedule to provide us with some valuable advice.

When I asked him if this was where he expected to be upon starting his career, David chuckled and said that it wasn't. He explained that he pretty much fell into his position here at LS. The timing was perfect in all aspects of his life; his family needed a transition and his previous employer was going through changes. He took a risk in packing up and moving to Cleveland on September 10, 2001 and that risk paid off.

He also spoke about the important relationships he had formed throughout his career and the importance of maintaining those connections. David rattled off the names of people he had been in touch with and where they were working today...a couple of them in roles at some of the biggest agencies in the industry.

Both of the subjects that David touched on during our lunch really impacted me...I know that they will play huge roles when it comes to finding MY first job. I know that my hard work will pay off, but I can only hope that I'll have time on my side when I start looking for work.

'Til next time,

Alyssa P.
-Brand Management Intern

Not a Half-Day, But Half of a Day

2011-06-30T08:55:00.011-04:00

My dad, like a lot of dads, always told me that if you do what you love you would never have to work a day in your life. I was lucky enough to realize my passion at a young age so I can’t remember a time in my life where I haven’t claimed I would become an artist when I grow up. Now, at the ripe old age of 21 my passion has never wavered, and my career path has never gone astray. As I’m experiencing life at a "marketing" design firm it only solidifies what I already knew. This is what I want to do with my life, and this is where I’m supposed to be.

With love, there always comes a little bit of headache as I got to experience a deadline to its fullest this week. Some client work was needed by the end of the day, and due to a string of hiccups, the day ran long. Sometimes it seems like if it can go wrong it will. If you clock from the time I left for work in the morning to the time I got home from work at night it totals to about 13 hours, but deadlines are the way of the beast. When work needs to be done you just buckle down and get it done, and even still if I follow the logic of my father’s classic idiom, it is safe to say that I haven’t worked a day this summer.

Like always, catch you guys next week.

Don D.

Creative Intern

Hungry No More!

2011-06-29T10:15:00.008-04:00

We just want to thank Little Debbie for our delicious breakfast treats. We're so happy to have our bellies full of goodies. Check out our winning photo from internhero.com below.

-Liggett Stashower Interns

The clock's ticking

2011-06-28T08:30:00.009-04:00

Everyone deals with deadlines. I think the first time I encountered a deadline was at the age of three. I issued a self-imposed one, in order to force myself to quit sucking my thumb. And then, of course, projects and book reports were due in middle and high school. But, in my experience, those deadlines really only impacted me. It wasn’t until college that my deadlines mattered to more people than just me. Whether it was in my Advertising Campaigns course or in Student Media, meeting my deadlines was important to everyone involved. And this is especially true at Liggett.

Last Friday, I was somewhat frantically trying to write a radio script for a client who wanted to see something the following Monday. I hadn't written a radio script in about a year. I was nervous. I had an end-of-the-day deadline to produce something that could actually be shown to the client. But, with some help and guidance, I ended up with a script that was one of three sent to the client for review.

Obviously, deadlines matter more when clients are thrown in the mix. But my deadlines at Liggett matter to so many other parties. The agency as a whole, the Creative Department, the account team and even the journalism school at Kent State need me to meet my deadlines. And if I can’t write on deadline, I’m probably not going to be able to land a job.

Even though some people claim to create their best work under pressure, I don’t think I’m one of them. I can produce really good work, but with more time and thought the work should, theoretically, improve. But, of course, this deadline-free world isn't possible. Profitability would go out the window. So, I’ll stick to the deadlines given to me and, in true Liggett spirit, learn how to be better and do great work in the time I’m given.

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

This post sounds a lot like a motivational speech, but I guess it sort of is

2011-06-23T10:29:00.014-04:00

This week, I’ve been assessing my time at LS so far, and establishing some goals for the rest of the internship (and, I guess, for life in general).

Be proactive and make sure I maximize this experience. I don’t want to get to the end of the summer and realize that I missed out on learning new skills because I didn’t challenge myself. I want to jump at every opportunity to learn something new, because that’s what this internship is all about.

Focus on my strengths. There is no need to compare myself to others. I want to do my best at whatever I do, but I don’t need to be an expert at everything. There is no need to try to emulate someone else’s skills better than them, when I have my own skill set to contribute to the agency.

Remember to keep asking questions. Just because I know where the bathroom is, what the good restaurants are, and what the job number is for my current project doesn’t mean I know everything and can stop asking questions. I want to learn more about people’s experiences in the advertising and design world, their specialties, and how they plan to accomplish their career goals.

Keep meeting new people. When I first enter unfamiliar territory–a new class, a new neighborhood, or a new city–I am more outgoing than is natural for me. I have conversations with random people on the bus, at church, in the park, pretty much anywhere there are people, I try to meet them. I encounter a lot of interesting people that way. When I start getting comfortable, this behavior slows, and I feel awkward talking to anyone I don’t already know. I want to keep meeting people, because you never know what you could learn from the person in front of you in line, or next to you on the train. Just last week I was at the park with my camera and saw two musicians playing guitar. I asked if I could take some pictures of them, we started talking, and they asked if I would photograph their concert later that week. I was excited to have a chance to support a local band. I want to always keep a genuine interest in people. "Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing."

Alyse E.

Creative Intern

All Access: Behind the Scenes

2011-06-23T08:33:00.008-04:00

Last week was a whirlwind of work...I can't believe I'm nearing the end of my third week here at LS. I can already feel myself gaining knowledge and experience and that feeling is worth all of the early mornings and cups of coffee.

Media relations was the name of the game last week. I had never really given any thought to the hard work that goes into keeping up with the media but when I joined Kendra at an event over the weekend, I realized what exactly goes into media relations. The months of preparation come down to a few short hours of TV footage, radio interviews and newspaper articles. We hurried around the event making sure that all media representatives had the shots they wanted and worked with producers to create footage that captured the essence of the event. Again, I realized the importance of strong communication skills and a good relationship with all of those involved with media coverage. Kendra was quick to make sure everyone was happy--and at the end of the day, she was extremely successful in doing so. Just being able to observe and help her out taught me so much about media relations and how important it is to the client and a successful event.

Now that I've had a little taste of the media relations world, I'm hungry for more. It's a field I'm more interested in exploring and being a part of in the future. Even though most of the work is done behind the scenes, it feels good knowing that it all led to a happy client and a successful media event.

Thanks Art Fry

2011-06-22T09:57:00.011-04:00

Mr. Fry is the father of post-it notes, and I have become very accustomed to leaving myself tons of post-its each and every day. Some of them with nothing more than a single word on them, but yet, without them I think I ‘d be lost. Each day I seem to take on a little more work. My desk has begun to sprout Liggett Stashower branded notes every day, and after just two weeks my desk is starting to look more like a recycle bin than the clean cubicle it once started as.

Today the creative interns, myself included, began to brainstorm on concepts for an ad campaign. I’ve been waiting to have the leash loosened a bit so we can flex our creative brain muscles. We began with mind mapping, and then we threw around some ideas before deciding to sleep on it. It felt nice to get the gears turning, but I think we can all agree that good ideas don’t spring out of thin air. We have also got the ball rolling on our group t-shirt design project, and let’s just say I have plenty of unicorn sketches to add to the desk clutter. By the end of the day I had a list of projects piling up (via post-it notes) for the following morning, and it truly feels great to be busy.

For your viewing pleasure, here is look at my desk.

Catch you guys next week.

Don D.

Creative Intern

Headlines and Headaches

2011-06-21T08:16:00.007-04:00

I think I might have a mild case of writer's block. I was asked to write a headline for a print ad campaign today, and I thought I came up with some pretty good lines. And I was told I did, but they just weren't “there yet.” I've been taught in class that you might have to write 80 headlines before you get to the winning one. But I've never actually experienced that until now. Even in my Advanced Copywriting course I never struggled this much with a headline. It seemed like my initial ideas were always on the right track, and the final headline came from those first ideas. But right now, I feel like I can’t get to that perfect (or at least close-to-perfect) headline.

I took a break from thinking about the unfinished line for about two hours, but then I got back to racking my brain for the solution. I think I've written more than 30 lines at this point. I've tried variations of existing lines and ideas or thrown those out for new ones all together. I’m not even sure I will know if I do write that one headline that stands out from the rest.

It might sound like I’m complaining, but this is actually a good thing for me to experience. Bosses and clients aren't going to like my first few ideas every time. Those ideas might only be good and not great. This is the first time I have been asked to push past those first 20 headlines or concepts. It’s not easy. It's actually rather frustrating at the moment. But it’s a challenge. And a welcomed one at that. This is exactly the kind of experience I wanted to get out of my internship. There is a reason people really want a Liggett internship. It’s about real work, which isn't always easy.

Now, time to write more headlines. I’m not backing down from this challenge.

Isabelle J.

Creative Intern

Details, details

2011-06-20T09:04:00.010-04:00

A week ago the interns were invited to attend commercial shoot. Video is one of my interests, so I particularly enjoyed the shoot. I was aware that video takes a lot of set-up, planning, and attention to detail, but this was the first time I had ever seen that in person. I was enthralled with the whole process. The way the crew seemed to know just how to direct the light to make it look natural and get rid of the shadows, the way the talent could convey frustration with the slightest tightening of his mouth without over-exaggerating, the way the director could orchestrate all of the elements to work together to create a commercial that he can be proud of and that the client loves. Every detail of the shoot was planned, but that did not eliminate spontaneity. Everyone appeared to be very flexible, and were more than willing to make last minute changes in props, materials, camera angles, and such to achieve perfect look for the video. The client, director, and crew were all willing to put in the extra time in order to make the commercial the best it could be.
Following all of this, on Tuesday Don and I were asked to work on duct tape press kits and make a tie and chef hat out of duct tape for WKYC. This is awesome.

Alyse E.

Creative Intern

Putting the Pieces Together

2011-06-17T08:32:00.006-04:00

As I sat at my desk nibbling on a half-eaten bagel from Starbucks, I took a look around me at the disaster area that was formerly a neat cubicle. Each piece of paper, folder or post-it serves as a reminder of the work I had put in over the past two weeks. There is the hand written note reminding me that I have to do the mail today, lists of media audits that need to be done and creative supplements to review. I'm starting to realize that even though each piece of material isn't necessarily for the same client, they all fit together somehow.

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, I have learned so much about how a PR agency works. All parts of the machine have to work together in order for it to work. The video shoot that Isabelle and I traveled to on Tuesday was a testament to that. The shoot proved to be a learning experience. There, the creative and account service teams came together to create something great for a client--a valuable asset to the campaign that will help keep their brand strong. Each side brought something to the table that helped the shoot be a success...technical knowledge, client relation skills, creative suggestions. But the the biggest thing I took away from the experience was the importance of a strong relationship with the client. The dynamic that's created from that relationship will help to make things run just a little bit more smoothly. A lot of hard work goes into creating something like a TV spot, but when the director shouts, "Cut!", and the client walks away happy I think that it's definitely worth it for everyone involved.

So yes, keeping track of all the pieces to the puzzle might get difficult sometimes. But once they all come together to making the magic happen, the feeling of accomplishment couldn't be greater.

--Alyssa P.
Brand Management Intern

How can I possibly be writing another post already?

2011-06-16T17:10:00.004-04:00

The days are racing by, and I already feel like I have been here for weeks. Yesterday, Alyse and I headed down to Columbus to witness a commercial shoot. It’s pretty impressive to see how much goes into a sixty-second spot. Not only the time that went into shots that would only be seen for a few moments, but also the attention to detail throughout was pretty incredible. Whether it was making sure the talent flexed enough neck muscles, or maybe the product was just a centimeter to far to the right. Seeing a bit of the production side of TV advertising was definitely a great experience.

Today I showed up to a good chunk of unopened emails I got while away on our little business trip, and I even had a voicemail. With the day nearly over, I still haven’t figured out how to check it, but either way I’m impressed I have one to check. I’m also proud to say that I’m quickly getting to a point where I am at least 90% sure what a persons name is before I walk up to ask them something.

So far everyday has brought on a new challenge or a new experience to learn from, and I’m more anxious than anyone to see what I’ll be doing the next time you hear from me.

Catch you guys next week.

Don D.

Creative Intern

A different kind of classroom

2011-06-13T20:15:00.003-04:00

After finishing my first week at Liggett, I breathed a sigh of relief. Not because I was so glad it was over, but because I was so glad I could actually be a productive member of the team. I received both positive feedback and constructive criticism. I think I produced quality work my first week, but I know that with the help and advice from Liggett employees, I will be turning out highly improved ideas and copy by the end of my time here.

But aside from the actual writing-related work during my first week, I learned some other interesting, useful things, too.

1. Traffic patterns are crazy, but I think I’ve found the Golden Time to get to Cleveland from Kent. It’s 6:50 in the morning. I usually get to work about 30 minutes early. But I left at 7 one morning, and I was almost late.

2. There are maybe more than three Subways within walking distance of the Hanna Building. That’s a lot.

3. It is a blessing and a curse to have a Starbucks in your basement.

4. Riding PARTA home to Kent isn’t really that bad. At least I can nap.

5. Permanent adhesive really is permanent. There is no leeway.

6. It is acceptable to play Frisbee/catch in the office.

7. There is a barber shop on the third floor of the Hanna Building. Do people actually get haircuts there?

8. Sorting mail is kind of fun. It’s interesting to see who gets what at the office.

9. In order to function in the morning, I have to go to bed by midnight, which is a change from my previous 2:30 a.m. bedtime.

10. Coffee is now my ambrosia.

I wonder what I’ll learn next. This is one of the things I am realizing I really like about this internship. It’s not just about advancing my copywriting skills; it’s about learning and experiencing new things in any way you can every day.

Isabelle J.
Creative Intern

Thankfully, my dream did not come true

2011-06-09T09:52:00.015-04:00

The past week has been a flurry of moving, unpacking, meeting new people, and starting an internship unlike any job I've had before. Since moving to the Cleveland area last Saturday, I have successfully located the nearest Chick-fil-a, learned how to use public transportation, gotten to know the family I'm living with, and shifted my sleep schedule to that of a responsible adult (I’m now going to bed at 10:30pm instead of 4:30am).

I am happy to report that my first week as an intern at Liggett Stashower has been nothing like the nerve-induced nightmare I experienced the night before my first day. Rather than mean bosses, unfriendly coworkers and menial tasks, Liggett has welcomed this summer’s interns with smiling faces, encouraging mentors, and real work. When we were shown to our workspaces, I was pleasantly surprised that we were not thrown into a closet with a laptop, as I have seen some companies do. Instead, we each got our very own cubicle. Cubicle has too negative a connotation. It’s more like a workspace that, while maintaining a sense of privacy, encourages collaboration and communal playlists.

I look forward to the variety of experiences I will have here at LS. Already, I have made line illustrations, painted little doorknobs, created cut paper illustrations, worked on a logo, helped pack invitation boxes, and researched paper airplanes. In addition to the variety of work I will be doing here in the building, I am also looking forward to the numerous excursions to printers, TV stations, and other agencies as well.

After just one week, I can see that the Liggett Stashower internships really are the best around.

Alyse E.

Creative Intern

"Oh, the places you'll go..."

2011-06-09T08:01:00.005-04:00

I grew up in a small town, where everyone knew everything about everybody…obviously an environment that is much different than that of Cleveland, OH. Every face I see on the street is one of a stranger so needless to say I was just a little bit nervous when it came to spending my first day in the city as an intern for Liggett Stashower.

Taking the first step into the real world is never easy, but when you’re walking into an organization with strong values, creativity and interesting clients it helps to make things less nerve-wracking. Sure, the first couple of days as a new intern might be awkward or intimidating, but as soon as we were inside the doors of the Hanna Building I think we all began to feel at ease. We were told to make ourselves at home at Liggett and it was reassuring to know that we would actually make a contribution to the great things that happen in this office on a daily basis.

But I’ll be honest: when I realized I was the only intern in brand management, I was worried that things would get a little lonely. I was quickly comforted by the others working with me on the account side of Liggett; I would never be bored OR alone. Since then, everyone has kept me busy with all sorts of different projects. One minute I could be running a package to E. 9^th Street and the next I could be auditing the media relations of a client. Knowing that I would play a role here put my mind at ease and by the end of Day 1 I was ready to take on that role and go above and beyond expectations.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve already got three full days of work under my belt but I’m ready for whatever comes my way over the course of these next 10 weeks. Whether it’s creating press kits, building media lists or prepping for client meetings, I can have confidence that the work I do at Liggett is work that will help transform this small-town girl into a savvy public relations professional.

Just Getting My Feet Wet

2011-06-08T08:19:00.005-04:00

My first day at Liggett Stashower started hours before I actually arrived in sunny Cleveland, Ohio. My fear of arriving late after over an hour-long daily commute convinced me that I should be up even before the sun. The traffic wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected because it’s only ever bad when you’re running late, and I arrived well before I needed to. After reading for a bit and sipping down a cup of Joe I headed upstairs. One by one, the interns filtered into the lobby making awkward ‘nice to meet you’ conversions while consciously anticipating the day.

Soon enough we were meeting, greeting, and buzzing through a barrage of tours and training conferences. As we discussed the upcoming summer months I began to realize what a great opportunity this internship plans to be. There will be many great opportunities not just for experience, but for networking as well. We have multiple field trips set up around town to further immerse ourselves into Cleveland and the possible opportunities it has to offer. I’ve heard over and over that it’s all about who you know. So in turn, I plan to meet as many people as I possibly can over the next couple of months.

During the course of the day we were called upon for different odd jobs helping out with a number of projects, and it was exciting to break into some stuff on the first day. By days end I finally got a chance to get back into familiar territory with Adobe Illustrator. I helped design a couple logos as a part of the conference room renaming process. I’m not sure if I’m authorized to disclose any more information about this, but just know that they promise to be very unique and maybe even magical. I am eager to see what unfolds as the summer moves forward, and I am ready to jump in with both feet on the designing end, but for the first few days I am okay with testing out the water.

Donald D.

Creative Intern

Beers and Mocktails

2011-06-06T23:18:00.007-04:00

My first day as an intern at Liggett Stashower began with a sink full of beers. Then came the X-Acto Blades. Don’t worry. Nothing crazy happened. And from that point on, I got the feeling that my time at Liggett will be anything but boring. The other interns and I got to scraping off the beer labels, as the bottles were soon to get a new label featuring an invitation to a Liggett event.

But our first day wasn’t spent cleaning or doing other typical “intern things.” We didn’t have to get someone coffee or pick up dry cleaning. I’m sure we all would do it without hesitation, but we got to jump right into actual work. After meeting many members of the Liggett family, touring the agency and getting settled into our new cubicles, we were given our first assignments. That’s where the mocktails come in. We were given the job of finding fruity non-alcoholic drink recipes for an upcoming client project. And I even got another assignment to be due by the next day’s creative team meeting.

It was a pretty busy first day. But we are definitely not complaining. I can’t wait to see what other projects will be coming my way. I will be learning every day, which is something not everyone can say about his or her job or internship experience. I know Liggett will help me “be better,” and (I hope) I can contribute something positive to it as well.

Isabelle J.
Creative Intern

Don't screw up

2011-06-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

That's the advice that Sara Stashower would always give our interns on their first day. I thought I would expound on that advice for our 2011 summer interns who start today and anyone else at the beginning of their internship.

Every company and internship is going to be different, but these tips I've picked up have always served me well.

Carry a notepad and a pen everywhere - Even if you have a photographic memory, bring something to write with and write on. Your notes will prove useful given the amount of projects that fly through our agency on a regular basis. Plus note-taking equipment says, "I'm paying attention."
Put down the phone - You millennials may have been born with free nights and weekends contracts but you're not here to txt LOLs to your bffs. Cell phones are great distractions but distracted isn't on the list of qualities we look for in fantastic interns. Also, don't hide behind your desk phone or instant messaging service. Besides the work you're assigned, your job at any internship is to make connections and get noticed. Get out of your cube and have a face-to-face conversation.
Ask questions - No one expects you to be an expert. Our business is filled with acronyms and jargon. Also it's better to ask a boatload of questions at the start of a project than one that sinks your ship at the end.
Meet deadlines - This is the real world. There are no make-up quizzes or extra credit. Miss a deadline in this business and it costs money and clients. That's no good.
No prairie dogging - This typically starts around 4:30 in the afternoon. We start seeing intern heads popping up over their cubicles to see if the coast is clear so they can slip out a few minutes early. We're pretty flexible but this is your time to shine. Watching the clock makes people think that you have someplace better to be. Be at work physically and mentally.
No whining - Understand that no one likes every single part of their job. There are going to be tasks and assignments that you won't like doing. Don't cop an attitude as though something is beneath you. Being helpful will get you noticed. Whiners never win - unless you're LeBron.
Don't wait for work to come to you - If you've got spare time, ask around and see if anyone else needs help. You might get included on the project of your dreams.

Easy enough, right? Good luck not screwing up.

Mark Szczepanik
Associate Creative Director
Internship Co-chair

Rocking the encore

2010-08-12T16:15:00.006-04:00

I've been nervous thinking about how I am going to wrap up this entire experience in my final blog post. The entire summer internship has been amazing, but I didn't know exactly how to put that into words. Luckily, Liggett has taught me to pull inspiration from everyday life. So here it goes...

My experience here at Liggett as an intern has been like a concert, a rock concert. And your favorite band is headlining.

It starts off with the opening. The lights are out and your nerves are fried. You're anticipating the best show ever but want to judge for yourself.

Days before the internship, I'd heard/read rave reviews about what the experience would be like. Expectations were high, but in the back of my mind I knew it was an internship. It could possibly be too good to be true.

The curtain drops and the drums are blasting, electric guitar kicks in and it's pure adrenaline right out of the gate. You sing along to every word, like it's somehow familiar but at an amped up level you've never experienced before.

From day one here, we were handed real assignments, acutal client work and propelled into creative executions. We had learned about this in class, but now it was in our hands. We got to create work that we could show off and be proud of.

After three or four headbanging jams, the band gives you a breather before taking you into the acoustic portion of the set list. You listen to the ballads and the slow jams, hanging on to every lyric and feeling what's behind each word.

We as interns, after a few short weeks, started digging deeper and deeper into the creative process, taking each of our mentor's words to heart and learning everything we could from them.

You've gotten to know your favorite band on a whole new level now. You're ready to rock again, giving it your all. You make sure you get the most out of this experience. No holding back. This is it. The finale. Time to get what you came here for.

These were our fieldtrips and our final executions, getting out and seeing the real world the way Liggett saw it, having professional projects for our portfolios. We couldn't have imagined we would've had so much fun doing what we love, all while calling it 'work.'

The band clears the stage and you are left with a sense of accomplishment. You can't believe what you've just experienced. You get a minor sense of shock with how fast it all passed. Then the band jumps back on stage with a final blast. Rocking the encore.

We had real intern projects and book reports. It wasn't just the projects that gave us a sense of accomplishment; it was the recognition and support from everyone around us that made the experience that much better. We presented our work to the whole agency and to our parents, friends and families, all bursting with pride.

So here I am today, Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow is the last day, and looking back I'm grateful for everything Liggett and the fellow inters have put me through. I couldn't have asked for a better intern experience.

With that, I want to say thanks for sticking with us! We hope you guys enjoyed reading about our experiences half as much as we enjoyed going through them.

Thanks you Liggett Stashower! Goodnight!

Ben L.

Creative Intern

This is it

2010-08-11T15:32:00.002-04:00

Today is my last day here. I finished up my projects. I took all the pictures down in my cubicle. I recycled all my papers. Now, all I can do is pout.

Being an intern at Liggett Stashower has been such an incredible experience. When I was applying for the position, I discovered that an old friend from high school had just interned with Liggett over the summer. He filled me in on his own experiences, the outstanding program, and the friendly people. I found it hard to believe one internship could be that great – or live up to those expectations. It did.

I’ve written newsletter articles, press releases, and media pitches. I’ve assembled press kits, attended client meetings, and worked on major projects. I’ve toured media outlets all over this city and visited the offices of other local advertising agencies. How can I begin to express how priceless this has all been?

At lunch today, the interns dined with Liggett’s CEO. For an hour and a half we had him all to ourselves to ask questions and be given advice for the future. We heard his opinions on what to do and what not to do during an interview, how to impress an employer with our portfolios, and to stay positive while we hunt for jobs in this tough economy.

I've learned so much throughout this internship, even up until this last day. I will forever be grateful to Liggett for taking a chance on me and helping our class of interns to grow as young professionals.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

Liggett and Love

2010-08-10T10:44:00.004-04:00

Somehow we’ve made it to week number ten. All that is left is to tie up loose ends and wrap up some last bits of projects. Unfortunately, some projects have to be left just in the beginning stages, and others are getting their final touches as we’re stepping out the doors one last time. I can’t believe I won’t be back here next week listening to the hoopla of music blaring from Wes’ computer or wondering if we’ll have Hazelnut coffee that morning. I look at my cubicle and the walls have become a shrine of what I have accomplished. Next to a drawing of a ham sandwich I have information about press kits, then piled on top of that are endless job numbers. I’ve collected about six doodles via Ben and somehow I’ve ended up with multiple stacks of papers and project briefs. My accomplishments this summer seem endless.

I’ve been able to add many pieces to my portfolio that will be extremely beneficial. This opportunity has broadened my view not only on design but the whole idea of being a “creative” in the real world. I now know that I’m not crazy when I can’t stop thinking about projects and now realize that the rest of my life will be this way. It’s really amazing that something that comes so easily (most of the time) will be something I can do and become successful in. It almost feels more like play than work and being in this community is refreshing when I consider what else I could be doing for “work.”

While deadlines and due dates bear down on the creative soul, being able to work in a way that is so freeing is really amazing. This internship has really made me feel like I’m going somewhere. Where I’ll end up, I’m not sure, but with Liggett behind me, I know it will be something worthwhile. I’ll suggest to any readers and students of all sorts to find an internship and if you don’t love it, you’re not in the right place. Find something you love and find somewhere like Liggett and use that as a stepping-stone for your career. While most people consider internships a name on a resume, I consider Liggett part of my career and I can’t thank them enough for teaching and shaping part of my future as a designer.

Sasha Thueringer

Creative Intern

The Ladder or the Tree

2010-08-09T15:49:00.005-04:00

As I tie up loose ends on projects and prepare to toss my LS graduation hat up in the air, I realize how quickly my life is moving along. Grade school is still a vivid memory, high school seems like yesterday, and college is now catching my heels. The 10 weeks I've spent at Liggett this summer have passed all too quickly, and I'm starting to think about where this experience will take me.

Flash back two years ago and I'm sitting in philosophy class drawing pictures of ladders and trees. We're talking about Darwin. Did life progress on this planet like a ladder, with each organism's complexity slowly increasing? Or did life evolve like a tree--different branches for different species? Each path moves forward, yet each route takes life in a different direction.

One day an executive in the LS creative department asked me, "How many times do you think you will change your profession in your life time?" Stumped, I answered, "I honestly don't know." But after he left I sat there and pondered over this question. When I describe myself to employers, I make note of my flexible skill set. I can write, analyze and am knowledgeable about PR and marketing tactics. But I think visually. I'm artistic. While graphic design isn't the profession I prefer, my artistic talent will always be a skill that I'll never stop using. It's just a matter of figuring out how my visual communication design minor will fit into my future dream job.

Thankfully, my internship advisers at LS arranged a day for me to experience the creative department. While I'm still unsure of which department I prefer, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to a different work environment. It's opportunities like this that will help me define myself as an employee.

My internship has truly been an invaluable experience that will move my life forward. There is no doubt that the assignments at Liggett have strengthened my portfolio and bettered my writing skills overall. I've learned to readjust my writing styles to walk the talk of different brands. Research tasks have improved my analytical skills, and I now know what strategies to implement when searching for brands' PR and marketing platforms. Add media pitching, event planning, and writing case studies to the mix and I've got myself a whole new bag of tricks!

So the truth is, I don't know where this summer internship will take me. It may take me the route of the ladder, where I stay in brand management and continue to take steps on the same path. Or, I could sample different jobs and move to different branches--like the path of a tree. But no matter which route I choose, I know one thing is for sure--my experience at Liggett has helped me move "up."

Rachelle P.
Brand Management Intern
(Follow me on Twitter @rmpatsey)

The beginning of the end

2010-08-05T10:34:00.003-04:00

Every Thursday morning we have our "Intern Meeting," where the interns gather with our advisors and discuss our current projects. This morning instead of being asked what we were working on, we were asked, "How's it going wrapping your projects up?"

I think I'm in denial about this internship ending. How can we only have one week left? It feels like we've only been here a couple weeks and all the interns agree, we wouldn't mind staying.

I'll edit and perfect my newsletter articles for University Settlement before handing them off next Wednesday to the director of development. Then I'll begin a couple of internal case studies I know I can finish in just a few days. It's hard to know anything we start now will have to be passed off for someone else to finish.

While it may feel like I've only been here for a short time, I know Liggett has already had a huge impact on me. I've learned so much about advertising, promotion and about topics I never really knew existed like search engine optimization and marketing.

As a public relations major, I had my fall schedule planned out months ago, but half way through the summer I moved my courses around so I could take J320: Principles of Creative Advertising. I can tell working at Liggett inspires its employees to always keep learning, and I intend to do the same. Us interns have a lot left to discover, but our experiences at Liggett have sure given us a good push in the right direction.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

2010-08-04T16:54:00.002-04:00

With such a short time left here, we’re still going strong towards our final projects. It’s unfortunate that we can’t stick around longer- When it’s time to leave it’s almost like walking away from your summer goal, but then you remember your initial goal was to make it ten weeks without falling in front of the whole agency on the spiral staircase (I’ve avoided this…but I still have a few days left). After a few weeks of practice, I can get up and down the staircase, for the most part, with ease and grace. Although, I still wonder who thought heels were a good idea for business wear.

Once I got the walking part down, I started to think about what my real goals would be. I knew that my initial goal was to learn and create. Though all program clues, keyboard shortcuts and creative briefs can help a lot, it’s what you don’t expect that teaches you the most. I’ve learned the most through observations and interactions with other people in the agency. I watch as Wes chats with Nathaniel about the best way to make a brochure “cool.” I watch Mark and Paul sit around a table, bouncing ideas off one another about some paint product. Ben just popped over to my cubicle with the “What do you think of this?” look on. We collaborate. Then we create.

Currently, Ben and I are working together on a concept for a Case History video for the LS website. It’s an interesting thing to work on a project after it has already concluded- you get to see the work as a whole from initial ideas to final product. Knowing the steps it took to get there is a little insight to how the creative process works. The backbone to any good final piece derives from a lot of thinking, sketching, and meetings. When you get an idea it’s like it was right there all along- then you sketch it out and it becomes a visual communicator. When the whole group gets together, additional insights and ideas create the whole.

School has sort of blinded the truth behind the creative process. These simple observations have opened the door for me. Instead of being afraid of what others might think or what they might try to do to “my” designs, I welcome their input and ideas. Now that I have learned, I shall create.

Summer goal: Complete

Sasha Thueringer

Creative Intern

Stop this train.

2010-08-03T16:30:00.008-04:00

It’s hard to believe I only have eight days left of this internship. Looking at the calendar and realizing this, I went into a bit of a shock. There is so much I’ve done so far but what else do I want to do before I leave?

Today, all of the interns wrapped up their market research for the paper client we have been working on over the last few days. We are all diving deep into new projects that sadly, we know we won’t be here to see through to final production.

Right now, we are taking flight with the case study video for Liggett’s website. I will be developing the script for the 3-5 minute video for the rest of this week. I never thought I would mark up ‘developing a script’ on my resume during any internship.

I am also working on some stuff for Liggett’s POV, which is their internal newsletter that covers everything from what’s going on in the agency, to hot trends that are happening in the world outside of Cleveland.

Definitely keeping busy in my final week and a half. But no worries, I will be sure to savor the time I have left here, scheduling lunches over the last days to really pick the brains of some of the great employees I’ve been working with this summer.

P.S. We have had a few photo shoots trying to get the perfect shot of this year’s intern class. To see the one that’ll be hung on the wall, you’ll have to come into the LS Brand Building yourself. But here’s just a taste of how much fun we are having.

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Check Out Our "Tweet" Shirts!

2010-08-02T16:37:00.007-04:00

Every year, Liggett Stashower asks the summer intern class to design a T-shirt that commemorates their time at the agency. While LS lists this fun assignment in the job description, here's what isn't mentioned that every incoming intern should know:

-Make this assignment your own. The concept behind the T-shirt is supposed to represent your class as a whole. What sets your group of interns apart from the rest? What does your group have in common? What differences do you have? You ultimately have to "brand" your group of interns.

-Treat your internship advisors as if they were real clients. This assignment is designed to be like "the real deal." Appropriate paperwork, allocated hours, and professional pitching accompany the excitement of this project every step of the way.

-Put your creativity on full throttle. Be prepared to meet with your group of interns multiple times and come up with at least two to three strong concepts to present to your internship advisors. This is the rule of thumb when pitching ideas to clients.

-Don't be afraid to reach out for help. The T-shirt project gives interns as much independence as possible to create the concept, design and copy. However, it is always beneficial to ask others questions if your group is stuck. There are many past interns that work at LS, and they are always willing to provide guidance to the group.

This year, our group of interns brainstormed one idea in particular that took flight. Today, many professionals think in 140 characters or less because Twitter has heavily impacted the PR and advertising industries. Each intern uses Twitter as a personal and professional networking tool, and our class is also the first LS group to visit the Tribe Social Deck (where we posted tweets about a Cleveland Indians' game). Our goal was to come up with a clever phrase and design that described our appreciation for LS.

I'd like to credit Ben for his creative copy (@buildingbrands is Liggett's Twitter handle) and Sasha for the perfect design. I'd also like to thank Stephanie for giving us the opportunity to silk-screen our very own T-shirts and giving us guidance throughout the process. This assignment has been a lot fun and has taught me so much about creating a project for a client.

Rachelle Patsey
Brand Management Intern

Here's what we came up with!

It's tradition!

2010-07-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

Traditions are important. Although, we don't like to fall into the trap of we've-always-done-it-this-way thinking, the LS internship program does have a number of traditions. And this year two of our favorites happened to fall on consecutive days. Last night we hosted our annual Intern Party and today is Ham Day!

The Intern Party celebrates the achievements our interns have made over the course of the summer. We invite their families to the agency so they can tour the space and see some of the fruits of their labor. This is also when the interns unveil their T-shirt design. (I'll let one of them tell you all about it next week.) As always, we had a grand time getting to know our interns' parents and once again want to thank them for lending us their children for the summer.

As for Ham Day, here's the story:

Ham Day was founded at Liggett Stashower in 2002. An organization that I volunteered for would reward its helpers at Christmas and Easter with a ham. My dog and I could not devour an entire ham, so I brought it into the office to share. Co-workers would provide in bread, cheese, condiments, chips and we’d have a noontime feast!

There are typically two Ham Days a year – Summer Ham Day & Winter Ham Day. We use the summer installment as a forum for our interns to present their book reports to the agency – another LS tradition.

So there’s your history lesson for the day. Here’s your homework:

1. Learn about your employer’s (or prospective employer’s) traditions. It’s a great way to figure out what the culture is like – and whether or not you’re a good fit.

2. If your organization doesn’t have any traditions, start one. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. It could be a softball team or a sundae bar. How could they not hire the intern that came up with the idea for the annual one-legged yodel-off? Just be sure it's fun, inclusive and doesn't get in the way of doing what you get paid to do.

If you’re interested in the books our interns read this year, here are the links:

Ben - Fascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation by Sally Hogshead

Sasha - The Design of Future Things by Don Norman

Katie - Build a Brand in 30 Days by Simon Middleton

Rachelle - Engage: The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web by Brian Solis

Mark Szczepanik

Director of Brand Voice

Not just managing brands

2010-07-29T13:15:00.002-04:00

With just a little more than two weeks left of our internship, it’s crunch time!

Every morning I write a to-do list of the projects I’m working on in the order they need to be completed. That helps to keep me on track, but life at Liggett can be very unpredictable.

All four of us interns have been working on a large research project for a client who is considering creating a new product. We were assigned specific topics to look up and were told to track down numerous encyclopedic articles. The work is very interesting, but can take a while as we need to read, print and highlight all the best facts.

It always seems when I’m in the heat of my research, I’m needed somewhere else! In the midst of all this, I’ve delivered a request for proposal to a prospective client and have helped assemble intricate press kits that will be mailed out later today. I also have finishing my newsletter articles for University Settlement and writing internal case studies on my agenda.

My time management has definitely improved from my experiences at Liggett. Instead of worrying when a new project was assigned to me during the middle of something else, I’ve learned to organize my schedule and kick things into full gear.

The unpredictability of life at Liggett is what makes working here so exciting. You never know what project will be coming your way next!

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

So, I'm one of those people...

2010-07-29T10:51:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, Ben, the other creative intern, mentioned the big project him and I had been working on for a few weeks now, a DIY project for a Satellite Media Tour. I remember the day I got the assignment; it sounded exciting and quite in-depth, and I was correct. Not only did I get to create the design for furniture pieces, I also executed the designs and documented every step so people just like you can do it too! It wasn’t until this project did I realize how many actions are required to show how to DIY.

The actual SMT (Satellite Media Tour) is set to be airing during August and then I’ll be able to see my own work on the screen. This is very exciting and I cannot believe I’ve gotten the chance to do things as big as this as an “intern”. This, however, is how Liggett separates itself from other internships; while there will always be the days when you do a coffee run, (like yesterday, my mentor Wes asked very nicely for me to run to Starbucks for him, but he always buys me a drink too- yum frappuccino!) on a daily basis you're handed projects and included in meetings just like any other employee at the agency.

I have acquired many strong pieces for my portfolio this fall, which I cannot wait to show the others in my class. The feeling of seeing my work in public places, online, and in the hands of others really fuels my desire to continue in this field. I’ve never doubted what I’ve wanted to do, once I realized just what that was, and I cannot wait to finish my last two years at school, because it’s places like this and people like this that make it all seem worthwhile. I may never know the science behind how my computer works, and I know that while the necessity is that it works, the execution and idea behind any design always ends up back to the brain of a “creative” thinker. I consider myself lucky to be one of those because when I look back at what I’ve done and look forward to what I will do, the possibilities are endless and forever expanding.

Sasha T.

Creative Intern

How may I help you?

2010-07-27T16:49:00.008-04:00

Monotony is rarely seen here at Liggett. I’ve come to realize ‘copywriting intern’ doesn’t cover the tasks that I’ve accomplished. It’s impossible to become well rounded by doing the same thing everyday. As a helpful intern, I’ve got a wide range of experience under my belt just by always offering to help.

You wouldn’t believe the work that goes into a business proposal here. Last week I was helping with a new packaging proposal within its final hour. Showing a client a nice print out of a design is not going to get you the account. This team created new packaging for an entire line of products. We had to package these ourselves as an agency, each one, individually, by hand, to perfection. This involved searching out and buying every piece of the hardware line in its old packaging, neatly opening it and using the casings for the new line created. Attention to detail was a must.

But packaging wasn’t my only ‘first’ here. Most recently, I had my hand at becoming a director for one of Liggett’s new case study videos. We have to come up with a way to tell the story of one of Liggett’s successful campaigns. The campaign can speak for itself, but we have to make it visually fun to watch and illustrate the success of Liggett’s work. Sasha and I, after much brainstorming, have a few sketched up storyboards to present today. Stay tuned for a new case study video on Liggett’s website.

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Details Matter!

2010-07-26T15:20:00.008-04:00

Since I started my internship at Liggett, I've been assisting the brand management team in planning a corporate event that will be held in Cleveland in the fall. Although I've worked UD alumni events in the past, I never experienced the behind-the-scenes workload of planning and organizing event specifics until now.

In September, Liggett Stashower will be hosting Worldcom Public Relations Group's annual conference in the heart of downtown Cleveland. This three-day networking extravaganza will feature discussions of the latest PR trends, social media guest speakers, and a cocktail party at Liggett's chic office space. Worldcom guests will also have the chance to visit Cleveland's most reputable landmarks, including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and critically acclaimed restaurants, such as Lola, Blue Pointe Grill, and Dante.

I've had the opportunity to participate in meetings with brand management execs and witness the hard work they've put into every detail. From securing hotels to booking musicians, Liggett employees seem to have a 360-degree view for planning a corporate event. After partaking in these meetings and having discussions with co-workers, I've realized how important it is to stay organized and prepare for the "what-ifs."

As a part of the Worldcom planning team, I truly feel that my assistance has been meaningful. For my first task, I wrote a dine-around-guide featuring 14 of Cleveland's best restaurants. This guide has been sent to Worldcom partners to spark excitement about experiencing Cleveland's unique dining attractions. I've also researched transportation services, received quotes, and created a pricing table for my team's review. My newest assignment is to research catering options for the cocktail party Liggett will host the first night of the conference. I've been in communication with various catering companies to ask for sample quotes and price points. To cover my bases, I've taken notes and written memos to make sure that I am doing my job as well as the other members on the planning committee.

What I've learned is that every detail matters, and I'm so glad that I am able to contribute to such an important and exciting event!

Rachelle Patsey
Brand Management Intern

My time at University Settlement

2010-07-22T16:03:00.002-04:00

The last time I checked in with the blog world about University Settlement, I had just spent my first day at the community center to discuss the upcoming project. Now five weeks later, I am deep into the assignment.

The past five Wednesdays I’ve spent part of the day at the Settlement meeting with program managers, board members and volunteers, interviewing seniors in the Adult Wellness Program, and sitting in the Hunger Center talking with clients as they pick up their groceries.

From the interviews so far, I’ve written 18 stories for the Settlement’s newsletter. Since I started my degree in journalism before switching to public relations, I was thrilled to be able to use my newspaper background while interviewing and writing these articles.

I learned quickly, however, that there are small, but important differences between newsletters and newspapers. Since these stories could be used in the Settlement’s newsletter, website, and even letters to donors, I’ve learned to write the facts while centering the stories about the Settlement’s greatest strengths.

It’s also been incredible to work one-on-one with the Settlement’s director of development. Each Wednesday before my interviews we discuss the project’s progress and he gives me constructive criticism about the stories I’ve written.

Working with the Settlement has taught me a lot about how a small organization works to promote their mission and has allowed me to meet with some really wonderful people. Though I'll be leaving the Settlement with the final stories in just three weeks, the lessons I've learned from their organization will help me for a long time to come.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

Ham Mania

2010-07-21T16:52:00.003-04:00

Among the many exciting days full of field trips and free food this week, me and my fellow LS interns are still working towards deadlines and meetings around the office. Next Friday the agency will be celebrating Ham Day, a Liggett annual event - not only do we get to enjoy ham and the company of the agency, we get to show everyone what we’ve been working on these past seven weeks. Each of us will be presenting our thoughts and ideas in a sort of “book report” style based on a book assigned to us at the beginning of the summer.

The fun part, though, is we get to promote and advertise this event ourselves internally. Ben, another creative intern, and I have been working towards concepting for the poster and there’s way more possibilities than you would think of how to utilize a pig in a poster. From a cartoon, to an outline, to Porky, and just a plain sandwich, we’re trying to find the best way to say “Hey! Come eat and enjoy yourself.” Some of the agency staff will see that visually, others will see it in words. It’s the correlation of both things that will make our poster stand out from the rest and worthy of being posted to the agency walls.

The actual process is something interesting to think about. While something can graphically say a lot, it cannot say it all. The constant back and forth between Ben and I is never-ending- in a good way. We use each other’s brains to pull out things we could not see alone and when we fall short of words, we have two minds searching for them, instead of just one.

Look forward to a future post with the final outcome. And enjoy some ham this week!

Sasha T.

Creative Intern

Behind the scenes

2010-07-21T15:16:00.003-04:00

You wouldn’t believe the work that goes into everyday promotion. When you see an advertisement on the side of a bus, or a do-it-yourself infomercial, the stuff you are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.

One of the projects Sasha and I are working on right now is for a Satellite Media Tour (or an SMT). We will be televising a step-by-step instruction video on how to custom decorate furniture and accessories at home, using one of LS’ clients’ products. So, you might be thinking: hire some pretty girl, throw her in front of a camera with some paint, tape, furniture and say action. Well, you probably know it takes more work than that, but it’s a lot more work than I expected.

Not only do we have to have multiple test runs to make the process foolproof for live TV, but we also have to write detailed instructions for every step of the painting process-which is where I come in. I was assigned to write directions on how to turn your measly coffee table into a functional, modern piece of art. Each step requires a picture to make sure even the most artistically challenged can execute this design like Martha Stewart.

It takes a lot to pull off a successful project and we are about halfway through this particular one. When the process is complete and your left with something to be proud of, the feeling is priceless.

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Viewing PR as a Skill

2010-07-19T18:07:00.004-04:00

I once had a discussion with a friend who happened to be a marketing major. He playfully commented, "PR is a joke. It's basically just like saying you graduated from college--no specialty in particular." Besides being offended, I couldn't have disagreed with him more!

While communication majors aren't required to take difficult business classes like accounting or economics that is not to say that our education is a waste. To earn an 'A' in a PR class, you must have exceptional writing skills and be able to analyze a situation from all angles and perspectives. While crunching numbers may be missing from my coursework, investigating public opinion and case studies require time-spent reading, writing and evaluating. Factor in social media and new technology and you have a whole new bundle of skills that a future PR professional must master.

My experience at Liggett has reinforced my belief that public relations isn't just "a broad field." Instead, it is a field that is multifaceted and gaining momentum as the Internet continues to spread its wings and infiltrate every industry. A lot of the work I've been doing at Liggett requires me to analyze how our clients present their brands on the Web. After doing a series of competitive analyses, I've learned how to answer questions such as "What is their brand platform?" "How does this influence consumers?" "How are they using social media, and in what ways do they engage their audience?" A company that better communicates with consumers via the Web may have the advantage over lesser-engaging businesses.

After completing analyses, PR professionals at Liggett must strategically design a plan that will help enhance their clients' brand, and hence, consumers'/donors'/investors' perceptions. Last week, I sat in on a meeting with one of LS's clients that needed to reinvent their "brand architecture." Simple details such as naming the master company and its sub-divisions may affect the way others perceive a company's approach. For example: Should your brand use the "P&G model" and label separate brands to adhere to separate segments, or does the master brand need to be reinforced and tie in with sub-divisions, like Marriott Hotels?

After watching LS employees' presentation and participating in the research stages of the PR process, I have a new respect for the field I so passionately pursue. Liggett's PR professionals know their stuff, and the fact that I'm learning something new every day means that PR is definitely a skill to be acquired.

Rachelle Patsey

Brand Management Intern

Getting ready to Crawl

2010-07-15T14:45:00.003-04:00

This week has been especially busy with so many projects and assignments. That's why we're so excited to go out next Monday on our Intern Crawl.

Every year the interns at Liggett organize a special event with the interns at other Cleveland public relations and advertising agencies. We get together, eat lunch, and then spend the afternoon networking and touring each other's offices.

This Monday we've decided to have lunch at The Greenhouse Tavern on East Fourth Street. Chef Jonathon Sawyer was named one of Food and Wine magazine's Best New Chefs of 2010 and the restaurant itself was recently ranked by Bon Appetit as one of the top ten best new restaurants in the country. Even though we'll be dining on an intern's budget, it will be so exciting to say we've eaten there!

After lunch, we'll spend the afternoon touring Liggett, Dix & Eaton, Landau, Flourish and Glazen. It will be really interesting to see the other offices and to hear about the other interns' summer experiences. We got to know each other a little when we all sat on the Social Deck at a Cleveland Indians game, so it'll be great to see everyone again!

So today, thoughts of the Intern Crawl will keep me going! I can't wait!

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

TV Legends

2010-07-14T23:05:00.011-04:00

My whole life, I always thought working would consist of handing out Cokes and burgers to the mean and hungry. It wasn’t until college I realized work can be something you enjoy, too. We’ve had a lot going on lately. With the summer in full swing, many fun projects have been popping up. Working all day in the office and about an hour each night at home, this week seems especially busy. Luckily, LS seems to have the ability to read my mind because today I was definitely in need of some fun.

The intern crew, as well as Sean from the LS Project Management group, headed over to WKYC television (the Cleveland NBC affiliate) studios this morning with a fun day ahead of us. When we arrived, we were greeted then immediately taken to the set where “Good Company” (an information and entertainment based “talk show”) is filmed. We arrived about halfway through the show, so we got to watch the final half-hour or so be filmed. After, we toured the studios a bit and met the people that “make the magic happen.” So many parts and pieces go into each production. The amount of multi-tasking is phenomenal.

We got a chance to not only view the sets, but also have a little “playtime” with the special effects. If we weren’t already into our fields, I bet we all could be the next big anchor or weatherman.

Next, we watched the taping of the noon news program. We split and watched half in the studio and half in the control room. I have a new respect for live directors and anchors- anything can happen on live TV and since it can, it probably will. If any of you watched today, you know one can lose sound bytes just for them to re-appear again and a man dunking his head in a kiddy pool of ketchup is sometimes just something that happens.

So, work doesn’t always mean no fun. You just have to find the time to make it fun while learning along the way, and then treat yourself to burgers and Cokes after.

Thank for the great trip WKYC!

Check out our pictures from our trip!

Sasha T.

Creative Intern

The brand at hand.

2010-07-13T16:42:00.001-04:00

Today has been busy, to say the least. It’s hard to believe the projects that were first assigned at the start of this internship are now coming due. Book reports, t-shirts, posters. Sprinkle that on top of the bed of client work already in progress and you’ve got yourself a stressful salad. But it’s the good kind of stress. The stress before a deadline that knocks your behind into gear, producing some of your best work.

My latest challenge has been the intern t-shirt concept. As Rachelle talked about yesterday, we thought we had a t-shirt concept down, ready to print. But that is clearly not the case. We had some time to think on our own, talk with some helpful intern alum, and really dive into what is going to make this t-shirt better than the others.

I’ve been doing some branding research for the upcoming POV. I’m looking into how successful brands got their start. Most of the articles I’ve seen all pointed to the same thing. You must dig deep within your company (or self) to find out what you have to offer that separates you from the rest.

Back to the t-shirts. We have to create a t-shirt design that represents our intern class. Our brand. We need to dig deep within ourselves and figure out what makes us so much cooler (or lamer) than other intern classes. Then mold that into a t-shirt design Liggett employees would want to wear.

This is a pretty daunting task. Imagine, looking at yourself, like REALLY looking at yourself, and figuring out what makes you unique. If you had to get one tattoo, one permanent thing on your forehead, what would it be of? What would your logo be? What would your tagline be? Remember, like these intern t-shirts, your brand will be an impression of who you are, that sticks with someone for the rest of their life.

I’ll be sure to keep your posted on how these t-shirts turn out.

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Groupthink

2010-07-12T16:04:00.002-04:00

Group meetings are a common occurence at LS, and with everyone's participation, unique ideas emerge and brand building begins.

Last week, the interns and I had our own "concepting" session for LS's annual intern T-shirt project. Within a matter of 10 minutes, we nailed down a concept, wrote a back-story, and drew up creative graphics. Our idea was strong and we were set--or at least we thought!

When Katie and I completed some paper work associated with the brand message of our T-shirt, we confidently handed it over to someone outside of our intern group circle. It took him less than 10 minutes to say, "Don't put your eggs in one basket."

After hearing this, time turned back two years and I envisioned myself listening in on a lecture at UD. Energetic teaching duo, Teri Thompson and Don Yoder preached to the class about Irving Janis' Groupthink: a theory defined as "a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members' strivings for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action."

We, the interns, loved our T-shirt concept. We loved it so much that we didn't cater to other options. Even if we were secretly skeptical, we kept silent because there was so much love around the entire idea. We continued to build upon our T-shirt concept until we finally realized that we were traveling down the hazardous path of groupthink. The intern "outsider" was a flashing yellow light, cautioning us to step outside of our circle and pursue alternative options.

Although communication and business majors are warned in the classroom about work-related hurdles, experiencing them first-hand in a job setting truly drives the message home. This experience has taught our group of interns an invaluable lesson that will prepare us for group projects and client presentations in the future. Now, we know to look at a situation from all angles and to provide several options in a sales pitch.

With some helpful direction from the LS staff, I have faith in our team that we will produce a quality T-shirt that commemorates our time as interns. Make sure you check in after July 23 to see what we come up with!

Rachelle Patsey

Brand Management Intern

Witnessed

2010-07-09T13:05:00.003-04:00

It was hard to come in this morning - not wearing all black - as we mourn the loss of LeBron James. Last night I was glued to the television, holding on to some sliver of hope that he might choose to stay in Cleveland.

Despite the heartbreak, the whole ordeal got me thinking about teamwork. As I sit here reminiscing about all the amazing games and the camaraderie of our players, I can't help but think of our group of interns as another great team.

Right now we're working on a pretty big project together. Every year the Liggett interns design a commemorative tee shirt to give to our executives and mentors at the end of the summer. It sounds easy, but it's more complicated than I thought - and we are all relying on each other to get the work done.

While we've been brainstorming ideas together in our intern meetings, we each have our own responsibilities. Rachelle and I are working on the internal paperwork, while Ben and Sasha go over taglines and designs.

Our deadline for production is coming up, so we're diving in headfirst. While things are a little haphazard now, I know our team will come up with a great product in the end.

And I don't think any of us will leave mid-project for Miami.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

The heat’s a-risin’& deadlines are a-flyin’

2010-07-08T16:32:00.008-04:00

With the temperatures reaching the 90s here in Cleveland, I have to continually wipe my head from the sweat pouring out of every pore across my brow. It’s Cleveland for gosh sakes; why can’t even a fraction of this warmth stick around for the winter? But, let’s not even mention the winter; it brings back horrible memories (snow up to my knees again?! No thank you!). It seems all this heat is getting to everyone. I look outside of my window at Liggett and there are not quite as many people outside and there’s a race every day around noon for the tables in the shade. However, while most are seeking the air conditioning, I’m seeking more time.

We have now been here at Liggett for five weeks. I sit back and think where has this time gone? It doesn’t feel like I’ve worked for five weeks, mostly just got stuff done and then had fun. Not only did we go to the Indian’s game, but also, we make regular trips to the corner Starbucks and a nice little restaurant call Bricco down the street. Ben even got a complimentary birthday brownie Tuesday! I suppose I’m mirroring my last post in saying, after work, we play. Luckily, all the time we spend working pays off in the smallest ways.

I’ve never been the type of person to do anything short term, and I remember when I found out I had 10 weeks here at Liggett. At that time, I felt it was long (over 2 months). I look now, and it really is too short. I haven’t quite figured out this hate for the cubicle or office work many people speak of. Yes, some days seem to last longer than others, but five o’clock always comes and the sun is still beating around eighty-something for about four more hours.

We are finally making some head-way on our intern t-shirt and soon it will be Ham Day (Liggett’s own annual internal holiday) but only after our intern party, all scheduled for the end of this month. Next week we have a field trip to WKYC studios and the week after that Oliver Printing and The Plain Dealer. There’s still so much to do but with so little time and with all this fun going on, I could do this job for an extra five weeks, no problem. Luckily, deadlines make me work even harder when they come creeping up, so with all the work out of the way, these last few weeks here will fly by (unfortunately). The end of this internship means the end of my cubicle, my new friends, and the end of summer. Let’s delay it, can’t we?

Sasha Thueringer

Creative Intern

Why didn't I think of that?

2010-07-07T16:49:00.002-04:00

In today’s world, it’s all been done before. As time progresses, it becomes harder and harder to come up with an idea that’s completely original, that has never been heard of before. But when an original idea does come along, you kick yourself for not conjuring it up yourself.

Take Silly Bandz, for example. These oddly shaped rubber bands that are worn on your wrist and traded like baseball cards, are all the rage for today’s youth. Who could’ve predicted the success of such a simple idea?

When it comes to writing copy, which lately is what I’ve dedicated most of my time to, I’m trying to come up with a completely authentic, never-before-seen way of saying something. Whether it’s a tagline or how-to directions for a website, I want to say it in a way that is different from the way it’s been said before. But how?

It’s challenging to write something completely original without making up new words. I’ve got the entire English language to use; it’s just a matter of putting words together to get my message across without being repetitive or boring. A puzzle, if you will. Luckily, working close with art directors and graphic designers, I can add more pieces to the puzzle with audio or visuals that’ll enhance the message.

I witness some of my favorite messages every day. I can’t get the AT&T Pure Imagination commercial out of my head: “Remember when you were 5? And anything was possible? Happy 5^th birthday again.”

Simple message, in a simple sentence, but still memorable. Now, why didn’t I think of that?

Ben Langdon

Creative Intern

We're Halfway There!

2010-07-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

With sun-kissed faces, the LS staff is ready to get back to work after the 4th of July holiday weekend. The balmy heat of summer has yet to slow us down, as everyone in the office is busy, busy, busy.

I have stacks of papers, hoards of magazines, and an array of post-its scattered around my desk impatiently waiting for my attention. Assignment deadlines are creeping up on me, and my checklist is getting longer and more detailed. But I honestly don't mind. I'd rather be busy doing something than twiddling my fingers doing nothing. LS never fails to give me an opportunity that will keep me focused for my 8-hour shift.

This week I look forward to the "midterm" of the LS internship. The interns will get the chance to individually meet with the internship coordinators to give and receive feedback. For me, this is an extremely important and wonderful aspect of the LS program.

As a college student, I am still grappling my way through the business world, trying to discover my strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. While writing press releases and updating media lists familiarizes me with agency life, I feel that my best work experiences have come from simply talking things over with business professionals. Receiving feedback this week will point me down a better path for whatever career I choose to pursue in the future.

Rachelle P.
Brand Management Intern

No Place for the Timid...

2010-07-02T13:10:00.008-04:00

I know it’s difficult coming out of your shell. I’ve been there. And I can remember the moments in college that started the process for me. That’s what I hope this internship is for our interns – the start of the process.

Every summer I see interns come in with wide-eyed expressions that I liken to deer in headlights. They are scared. They don’t want to screw up. They don’t want to be embarrassed. For some, they quickly get over it. Others never seem to embrace the notion that agency life is not for the timid.

While it may not always be super models and photo shoots, agency life is exciting, fast-paced and hectic. Clients look to their agency partners for expertise, advice and direction. Agency folks need to be ready, willing and able to step up, push back and take charge. We have to win and maintain the respect of our clients and we can’t do that being bashful - or dopey for that matter.

So, agency interns everywhere, no need for an alter ego, simply start the process. Talk to the staff at the agency not just your fellow interns. Ask questions. Ask for help. Volunteer for projects. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Admit agency life can be tough and you need us to show you the way.

Take me out to the ball game!

2010-07-01T10:11:00.003-04:00

I've been to a few Indians games before, but never like this! Today the Liggett interns will be attending the afternoon game in style - sitting on the Social Deck, the press box for bloggers and social media.

We'll be there with other Cleveland interns from Flourish, Dix & Eaton, and Landau, and as part of the deal will be tweeting all afternoon about the game.

We're also going to get the chance to talk with Rob Campbell, executive development fellow in social media for the tribe. It'll be an amazing opportunity to ask him how he made his way into sports public relations and to learn about his experiences working for the Indians. A very good friend of mine has been trying to break into baseball PR since graduating, so I am ready to go with questions!

It's going to be such a beautiful day, so I have a good feeling about us defeating the Blue Jays. Keep an eye on the game this afternoon by following the updates from @tribetalk, the Indians' Twitter account.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

When all the work is over, we play

2010-06-30T14:27:00.005-04:00

We’re now into our fourth week here at Liggett, and I cannot honestly believe it. While the time has flown by, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Amongst the papers cluttering behind me, there’s about two-dozen, or more, sticky notes masking what was once a cubicle wall. My space has turned more into an idea center, with sketches and to-do lists attempting to spill over into surrounding cubicles (sorry Ben!) However, although it seems like the list is never ending, the work comes so easily. With a few hours work, another task is marked off the to-do list and I move on.

As an intern, I worried at first that I wouldn’t be busy enough. Boy, was I wrong. Within the first week I had already finished my first project with about three others on my heels to begin. Each week I look forward to the next assignment and this week, I’ve learned about a few more coming up that are not only going to be fun, but also very rewarding and possible portfolio pieces.

Here at Liggett, I don’t get that intern “vibe” that many interns talk about; I feel like part of the office family. Often my mentor Wes turns to me when he is stuck on a project, and I throw in my twenty-year-old two cents and often, just the collaboration of minds solves the problem. Earlier this week, Nathaniel, a close cubicle-mate handed me a Photoshop file with about thirty or so layers, and I attempted to merge and group until it made sense, and even then, the file was HUGE. Yes, it was challenging and a little frustrating at first, however, it’s this type of work that I love.

Sometimes, the best work derives from the simple task of taking a step back from your computer and handing it over for someone else to look over. A pair of fresh eyes will see what’s been staring you right in the face- for Nathaniel it was a starburst. My addition broke his creative block, and viola, a website is made.

As Ben mentioned, we are going to the Indian’s game tomorrow. For all the work we do, it’s nice to get times like these when ‘play’ is also a factor. Now, tonight I must scramble to find something red or blue to wear. Look for us on the Social Deck tomorrow- Game starts @ 12:05 p.m.

Sasha T.

Creative Intern

There's No 'I' in Work

2010-06-29T15:40:00.002-04:00

I’ve spent a lot of time the past two days assembling the newest press kit that Liggett is sending out. The press kits that I’ve seen sent out of this place are incredible. Each one is crafted to be above and beyond what any media outlet expects from an agency. As I cut the 105^th metallic star out and glue it down, I think about the importance of teamwork. Without it, there is no way Liggett would be producing the great work that they have been.

I see teamwork around me everyday here. Even with the current press kits I’m assembling, I’ve had countless people come by and help me with any spare time they had. But it’s not just the tedious tasks that require teamwork.

In the past week I’ve sat in a few brainstorming meetings where we gather to discuss a client’s situation and come up with a creative solution. These meetings thrive on teamwork. The team contributes their views and ideas that spark new views and ideas in other team members. Team brainstorming is a lot of fun and it produces a lot more creativity than working on a project solo.

When Sasha, the design intern, and I are given a project, we have to work together to get it done. We are given a creative brief with some direction, then we collaborate and execute. Sure, I’m supposed to be the copywriter and she, the graphic designer, but when we get stuck, we rely on the other for help. She helps me when I’ve exhausted every synonym for entertainment and I help her when her layout has been placed every way possible.

I have a feeling without teamwork this place wouldn’t run the way it does now. And I know for sure that some of the best creative work has come from teamwork.

The intern team will be gracing the social deck at the Cleveland Indians game on Thursday. Let’s hope their teamwork will pull out a win!

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Gettin' Technical

2010-06-28T19:41:00.004-04:00

It's no secret that the PR industry is changing with the help of the Internet God, Google. After listening in on a conference call today, I was able to learn how search engines dictate the beginning phases of PR and marketing strategies.

In today's world, most consumers don't flip through product pamphlets or speak with company representatives to gather information about a brand. Instead, they go right to the Web, where the amount of information seems infinite.

Today I learned that the key for optimizing SEO (organic search) and SEM (paid search) is to understand consumers' behaviors as they brainstorm their searches. At an "aware" level, searchers may type in general key words. As they become more familiar with products, consumers may begin to search brand names or services at the "preference" and "purchase" levels. With the help of Google Adwords and Google Advanced, companies can monitor the traffic to their sites and the amount of time visitors spend browsing.

This is the future of PR. Not only does GenY have to battle the reputation as "the entitled generation" (as Mark kindly noted), but we also have to learn how to be tech savvy. Just like websites that need to have appropriate content and tags, press releases also need to be weaved with suitable words and phrases.

Working at an agency like Liggett has made me realize that there is so much more to learn outside of the classroom. I know that the remainder of my internship will keep me on my toes when it comes to PR tech trends.

Rachelle Patsey

Brand Management Intern

What's wrong with Millennials?

2010-06-25T15:14:00.005-04:00

Our 2010 summer intern class has been here for three weeks and we haven’t lost a single one yet! As Vicki mentioned, we’ll be supplementing the intern posts with some tips and advice. So I thought I should let you know that we’re on to you.

Older generations have been thoroughly warned about Millennials. You’ve been referred to as the “entitlement generation.” We’ve heard that you don’t like hard work, you’re easily distracted and you’re responsible for the popularity of all these vampire shows. You’ve got the “60 minutes” crowd pretty freaked out.

I recognize that every generation wonders, “What’s wrong with kids these days?” Unfortunately, I’ve found some of these criticisms ring true in some of your peers. It only takes one bad apple to saddle you with a stereotype that will ride you into your entry into the workplace. So let’s not worry about if it was MTV or your hovering “helicopter” parents that “spoiled” your generation. Let’s work on shaking the stigma.

The first thing you’ve got to do is get your work done – on time. Set an alarm on your cellular telephone. Tweet a reminder. Do whatever you need to do to adhere to the schedule you’ve been given. That’s super important to old folks.

Secondly, multitask them to bits. There are concerns that Millennials have short attention spans. I’d argue that you just consume information differently from previous generations. Walking and chewing gum is the least of your worries. You’ve got email, your cell phone, Twitter and Facebook all getting snippets of attention. When an employer sees how much more productive a multi-channel mind can be, they might ask you for tips.

Third, if you feel that someone is lumping you in with the cast of the Jersey Shore, let your actions do the talking. Complaining will be dismissed as whining and will have an adverse effect because of that whole “entitlement” thing. Go above and beyond to prove them wrong. Rely on your fresh thinking and the quality of your work to win the day. If that doesn’t work, ask them for advice. That’s an easy way to turn a critic into an ally.

Hopefully, this helps. Feel free to leave comments below.

Mark Szczepanik
Director of Brand Voice

Hello Cleveland!

2010-06-24T13:19:00.009-04:00

I've lived in the Cleveland area my whole life, so I really care about this town! It's been so much fun working downtown and seeing the city up close on an everyday basis. It's been even more fun the past few days keeping up with Cleveland on television. Between Man vs. Food at the West Side Market, Hot Sauce Williams and Melt, plus the second episode of Hot in Cleveland last night, we've been all over!

Getting to see different sides of Cleveland is really important to me. We are such a diverse city and that's why I've so enjoyed working on my newest project for the University Settlement. University Settlement is a community center that provides social services to the residents of the Broadway/Slavic Village neighborhood in southeast Cleveland.

For the rest of this internship, I'll be working with the Settlement once a week to help create new marketing material for their website and newsletters. Yesterday, as part of my first official visit, I met with some of the Settlement's program managers and volunteers. It was wonderful to meet with people who are so invested in helping Cleveland and its residents to thrive.

It was inspiring to learn about the senior, youth and family services that the Settlement provides. There's free day camp for children, a food pantry operated by their Hunger Center, and a computer lab available for residents who need internet access - just to name a few! I can tell this project will teach me about much more than just marketing this summer. I'm so excited to do my part in helping an organization in which so many people rely.

Katie F.

Brand Management Intern

Mid-Week Muse

2010-06-23T16:22:00.007-04:00

This week’s writing muse seems to be hiding. As I tap my pen off my desk, and reach for more coffee, I wonder why today seems the hardest so far. With so many great projects at hand, I become flustered trying to think of how to put it all down in words.

My desktop has become cluttered with .ase files and at least a dozen screen shots from fontsquirrel giving the appearance that I just cannot make up my mind; but this clutter all corresponds with my search. I’m not only looking for the right type or the right color, I’m looking for something to hit me, like an earthquake in Ohio.

Luckily for me, Liggett helps me find inspiration. My fellow interns and colleagues always lend a good laugh and great insight when I’m stuck, and for today’s writing block, pretzel M&Ms and ISO50 (thanks Nathaniel!) My mentor Wes plays music that I have never heard before and that alone can keep me going for an afternoon. Something about the constant thumping and melodic voices makes thinking easy. This past Monday, we broke up the routine completely; out of the office and in the summer sun, we strolled over to the ESPN radio station for a tour and an array of loud men in suits. It was a fun way to start the week and the whole day seemed to float by from there.

Being a designer, I get inspiration from the obvious places like GOOD and welovetypeography, but somehow every week, I get lost in the Internet’s endless feed of cat videos and “memes”. However, via these distractions, I’ll occasionally stumble upon something much more interesting. Recently, I came upon an archive of old photographs and being the darkroom lover I am, I couldn’t help but spend a while sifting through endless pages of beautiful images. There’s something about looking into the past that really gets my head working; I become a little less tense, a little more inspired, and a lot more able to move forward.

So, calling all designers/artists/readers/writers, how do you get inspired and beat the mid-week mind block?

Sasha T.

Graphic Design Intern

A Post-Father's Day Tribute

2010-06-22T15:56:00.004-04:00

My dad has the most unusual life. He lives in Cleveland, but works in Chicago. He travels across the world to meet with clients, interview potential employees, and maintain his company's composure in the face of a global recession. His only doses of normalcy are the occasional home-cooked meals and ESPN. But despite his chaotic lifestyle, he still motivates me to succeed in the business arena. That's why I'm always looking for opportunities to impress him--that's why I'm always talking to him about Liggett.

This past weekend, I told him about my first major writing assignment at LS. I wrote the draft for a "camera-ready" article for our client that would be sent to a painter's trade magazine. The article needed to have a journalistic flair--a style that presented me with a personal challenge. I told my dad that I did some thorough research before writing the piece, which included: reading through similar articles, researching blogs that discussed my topic, and browsing the client's website to learn about their product. My dad said, "That's awesome!" And it was!

I also told him that I worked at the 7th Annual Duct Tape Festival, where I saw decorated ponies, "groovy" vans, and jaw-dropping floats made entirely out of DuckBrand duct tape. Witnessing the festival behind-the-scenes exposed me to the high level of work that goes into publicizing and organizing an event. My dad said, "This is great experience for you." And he was right!

As week three kicks off, I'm eager to work on more projects and hit the ground running. I'm glad that Liggett has given me opportunities to impress my dad, and I want him to know that I feel so fortunate to have such a positive mentor and supportive father.

Happy belated Father's Day!

Rachelle P.

Brand Mangement Intern

Jack of All Trades

2010-06-21T16:56:00.002-04:00

Some say experience is everything. And I couldn’t agree more. This statement was reinforced today during our field trip to ESPN Radio, right down the street from the Liggett Stashower building.

Our tour of the radio studio was led by the Mark “Munch” Bishop, on-air personality for ESPN Cleveland. Before we got a sneak peek of the studio, Munch gave us a little background about ESPN and how he’s made it this far in his career.

He advised our intern group to never hesitate to learn everything. Munch is the type of guy who learned something new every step in his career. From the technical work of recording his own features, to manually editing segments, he is a “jack of all trades” when it comes to sports radio. There is no task beneath Munch that he won’t do, and as for the tasks that are above him, it won’t be long before he learns to tackle them as well.

Luckily, after only a short time, I can now say I’ve helped name a product, written some web copy, created some posters, assembled some press kits and operated a switchboard system. I’m learning the organization and process of relationship building on the client side and the art and structure of the creative process.

Everyone should strive to be the employee that wears many hats because, as Munch said, it’s hard to replace the employee who can do it all.

P.S. to all of the Cavs fans out there, Munch has estimated the odds of Lebron staying in Cleveland to be 50:50. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ben L.

Creative Intern

Progressing Nicely

2010-06-18T16:49:00.004-04:00

New to this year's intern blog is an update from the LS Intern coordinators. Every week, those of us who manage and mentor our intern class will provide some insight into how the group is doing and what we think all interns should be doing. So to start...

As we come to the close of week two with our summer interns, I can say they are progressing nicely. I've seen a lot of enthusiasm, very little hesitancy and some great work. I'm glad all the interns are willing to jump in. That's probably the most important aspect for me. We understand we may be asking the interns to do something they've never done before, but isn't that the point? It's important for all involved - interns and agency staff - to remember this is a learning experience. We all should make the most of it.

Happy Friday everyone!

A Day in the Life

2010-06-17T09:56:00.006-04:00

6:30am - Wake up while it's barely light out and stumble out of bed

7:45am - Leave house, drop Dad off at work

8:00am - Pick up Sasha, the graphic design intern

8:15am - Find our way through the maze that is the parking garage

8:25am - Sit down in my very own cubicle

8:30am - Prepare for a day full of surprises!

Adjusting to the schedule at Liggett has been challenging, especially since I had four weeks off from school before the job started. But it didn't take long for me to realize my lazy summer days were over. From the very start of this internship, our days have been jam-packed with training, departmental meetings and brainstorming sessions.

While we may be the lowly interns, Liggett treats us like real employees. Rachelle and I have had the opportunity to work on many exciting projects and are ready to dig into anything that's thrown at us throughout the day.

We can tell that Liggett is really invested in the intern experience, too. Each intern is assigned a mentor in their department who can answer our questions and give us advice throughout the internship. It means a lot to us to know we have someone in our corner while we try to figure out what life in the professional world is like.

Working full-time at Liggett is much more exciting than any lazy summer. Gradually I'm hopping out of bed in the morning with a little more vigor - especially when I know what projects await me!

I've already learned so much in the first two weeks. I can hardly wait to find out what the rest of the summer has in store for us.

Katie F.
Brand Management Intern

The Firsts

2010-06-16T09:42:00.005-04:00

I’m feeling awesome, feeling great.

Well, hello readers! I’d like to start by saying thanks for coming and checking our blogs out - we’re going to be doing them often so make sure to check back! It is now my second week here at Liggett Stashower as a summer intern. Weirdly enough, I already feel like I’ve been here for much longer. We sat through a few meetings and introduced ourselves to anyone willing to shake our hands. We ate at a wonderful little restaurant a few feet from the Liggett Building called Bricco- excellent chicken sandwich as well as wonderful conversation. The whole staff was welcoming and right away we started in on some projects. Refreshing myself on some basic Photoshop skills, I managed to push out a few different directions and iterations for some cover art I got assigned. Next up was collaboration with Ben, another intern, for a product name. We Google searched and brainsmashed some ideas of ours together, and although I feel Ben has that area way more covered than I, it gave me a good idea of what I may have to do one day. Although “graphic design” is my area, often, the overall brand needs an identity or a re-vamp and that’s where something like this would come in.

Now that it’s the second week here, I’m starting to cluster my cubicle a little more, and I’m slowly getting a little better with some names around the office. Just like any other work place, I look forward to lunch, but here, it’s only because we have a pool table and I get to catch up on my funnies then (after reading the important stuff in the paper of course). Meeting tomorrow with a few colleagues and it will be my first chance to impress or, maybe, depress them. Either way, the work is due Friday, so I have to get it done and get it done right! More projects are flowing in now and I’m pretty excited about being able to participate.

Well, Happy Wednesday all!

Sasha T.

Graphic Design Intern

Welcome to the Real World

2010-06-15T10:01:00.005-04:00

The first day at an internship is nerve-racking for anyone and experiencing my first hour-long morning commute to Cleveland only added to that stress. But once I walked into Liggett's doors and was greeted at the fronk desk, some of that stress was dismissed immediately. All four interns gathered in the lobby waiting anxiously in awkward silence. In walked the internship coordinators' smiling faces and the tension dropped. Passing all of the friendly faces in the building turned my nervousness into excitement. I was ready to get started.

After going through the standard paperwork and training sessions, we were shown to our cubicles--"real people" work spaces with our names on the exterior! That was enough to make any soon-to-be professional giddy.

I was ready to dive right in. And I did.
"Have you ever named anything before?" I was asked.
And I hadn't. So I went straight to work on my first task, brainstorming names for a new product.

This is the real deal. It's nothing like the intern horror stories I've heard in the past. I have yet to go on a coffee run or do any filing (though I am totally capable and willing). I am excited to come in every day and see what I can help with next.

Looking through my quickly filling calendar of events, my fellow interns and I have some great opportunities ahead of us. We have a field trip planned almost every week for the next month or so. I can already tell this summer is going to fly by and I want to make the best of it.

Ben L.
Creative Intern

Watch Out: I’m a Grown-Up!

2010-06-14T13:14:00.005-04:00

Life comes at you fast--and what a better way to prepare for it than to intern at Liggett Stashower! After only one week, I've successfully battled rush hour traffic while being pleasantly entertained by 96.5 KISS FM's phone taps. As I walk through the doors of Liggett and take the elevator to avoid the three flights of stairs, I can't help but smile as I enter my very own cubicle (complete with computer, hi-tech phone, locker and name label!).

The brand management department is already exposing me to the changing tide of the PR and advertising industries. During training, I learned how to create a media database using CisionPoint. This tool allows PR professionals to find media contacts that best suit the needs of their clients. Katie (the other brand management intern) and I will use CisionPoint, as well as other research options, for our "blogger outreach" project. The goal for our project is to create a blogger directory that addresses specific topics for the home and building industries. Since more and more customers are turning to bloggers for advice on purchasing decisions, our database should help LS's clients find an appropriate blogger that can promote their products.

Experiencing Liggett is also experiencing Cleveland. Our intern class will have the privilege to explore other areas of the communication industry in C-Town including: The Plain Dealer, ESPN Radio, WKYC, Oliver Printing, and Progressive Field's Tribe Social Deck! We will also have an "intern crawl" where we will meet the interns of other PR and advertising companies in Cleveland, visit their home front, and eat lunch together at one of Cleveland's fantastic restaurants. (Catch up later to find out more about these activities!)

So far, I've learned that running on six hours of sleep and TV dinners isn't so bad! The "real world" may have its bumps, but spending my time at Liggett has been wonderful. I can't wait to see what they have in store for me this week.

Rachelle P.
Brand Management Intern

LS: King of the Internships?

2010-04-19T09:57:00.002-04:00

Help us make it happen. Visit InternshipKing.com and vote for LS. We're up against some pretty stiff competition but we live in Believeland!

Can we count on your vote?

The End of the Beginning

2009-08-14T13:54:00.003-04:00

As we wrap this internship up, I just want to add a few things I’ve picked up in this last week. It is very important to end on the right foot, and if I ever need a reference or something in the future, I want to be remembered as having worked until the last minute. And you should to. So this is a short list of some things I have kept in mind for my last week at LS. They have really helped to put the ~~cherry~~ (I hate cherries) Oatmeal cream pie on top of a great experience.

Don’t Burn Bridges- This was mentioned in our field trip with Munch, as well as a few other times throughout the internship. Our industry is much smaller than we would like it to be, especially with social networking now in the picture. Being courteous and respectful goes a long way and will certainly be remembered.

Contact- Along those lines, be sure to get contact info for the people you really liked and want to keep in touch with. That way, when you see something maybe dealing with a client that person worked on, you could send it to them with a note of congratulations or your thoughts. This helps you to stay in touch and front of mind. After Ham Day, we got business cards from all who attended.

Stay Focused- It’s easy to get distracted by what is coming next. I have an exciting year coming up, this being my last one, but I still had work to be done this week so focusing on my tasks was even more important. Don’t get Internitis, the intern strain of Senioritis. The future will come; be in the present.

Evaluate- I took some time to go over all of my assignments from this internship, and read some e-mails that dealt with the process of completing work. Reviewing past projects gave me some great insight into some things I can do better and some areas I can grow in. One tidbit of advice I got from an old e-mail was, “When sending an assignment in for review, always assume that it is the final version for final approval. It saves everyone time, especially the client.”

Hopefully you enjoyed our posts, as we greatly enjoyed posting. Thanks to everyone at LS for such a great experience!

Evan R.

Brand Management Intern

I'll Never Forget...

2009-08-14T13:36:00.004-04:00

As the final day of my summer at LS draws near, I’m forced to step back and reflect on what I, along with my fellow interns, have been able to accomplish in two short months at the agency. Between the meetings, the projects, the field trips and the various agency events, it’s safe to say that I will truly miss being a part of this office. As a testament to the contributions of the intern class of 2009, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite moments as a member of Liggett Stashower:

*Talking sports with Mark “Munch” Bishop at the ESPN 850 WKNR studio, where Munch and I spoke of our support for Browns all-purpose weapon Josh Cribbs receiving a new contract.

*Sampling the Little Debbie muffins Evan won for the agency thanks to an entry he submitted. For the record, I prefer blueberry.

*Receiving my first LS paycheck, if for no other reason than it allowed me to continue to support a handful of nearby parking facilities.

*Catching a glimpse of renowned Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz during our tour of the newspaper’s headquarters. I couldn’t wait to brag to my mom about it.

*Witnessing Liggett’s own Jimmy K. make a 30-foot putt at the AAF-Cleveland golf outing. It was truly awe-inspiring.

*Carrying on a 27-minute phone conversation with a user of one of our client’s brands for the sake of receiving his testimonial. At one point during the call, I couldn’t help but wonder about the size of the agency’s long-distance plan.

*Making my film debut along with the rest of the interns on the spiral staircase leading up to the third floor. All I can say is, acting isn’t easy, even if you don’t have any lines.

*Hosting a few rounds of Family Feud during our intern Fun Day. I can only hope I made Richard Dawson proud.

*Helping to detail a vendor’s truck at the Duct Tape festival. I like to believe my efforts helped sell a few extra units that day.

*Finding out I have an “it depends” personality during our DISC personality profile overview. Some days I agree with the results, other days I don’t. It depends on my mood I guess.

*Experiencing Ham Day in all of its glory. If it falls on a similar date next year, the forgotten month of August may finally have its own national holiday.

Patrick Bensi
Creative Intern

That's a Wrap

2009-08-13T11:38:00.008-04:00

As Rachel mentioned, yesterday was Ham Day/intern book reports. I was even given the opportunity to design the internal poster for this day.

Logo Design Volume 2 was the book assigned to me and it was right up my alley. More than half of the book is occupied with around 2000 logos and the remainder contains about a dozen case studies on brand identity.

As an avid skier, I found the Making of Burton Outerwear Fall//Winter 2007 case study the most interesting. This case study touched upon the unique approach the design firm took to finish this complex yet enjoyable project. Their main focus through the process was to create a cohesive idea and look, which is what Liggett does for clients. I also noticed some similarities between things I’ve learned during this internship – do your research, strive to be organized, ask questions, take chances and have fun. Those ideas will result in a project you can take pride in.

As this week comes to an end, I eagerly await the start of the fall semester back at Kent State. I feel prepared and inspired to do my best and continue to improve my design skills. Many people here at Liggett have taken part in my preparation, and I thank them all.

Abie M.
Graphic Design Intern

Is there a new way to approach branding?

2009-08-12T18:50:00.001-04:00

Today the interns had the opportunity to present our book reports to the agency. Each book seemed extremely appropriate and interesting – and all very different from one another.

My book was Branding Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin. It's about how branding doesn’t work.

You can probably see why I was a little nervous to present my book to a branding agency. But, I figured I was assigned this book to present an opposite viewpoint in order to evaluate the future of the advertising industry.

Baskin makes it clear to his audience that he believes traditional branding techniques are a waste of time and money, and will not bring success, consumers or sales anytime soon – try telling that to your hopeful client!

This book does illustrate how every industry is constantly evolving. And whether or not Baskin's thinking is correct, he does present some interesting ideas. He claims that companies and/or agencies need to start looking at their brands, their techniques and the world in a new way. They need to begin to understand that consumers are bored and are done paying attention to traditional branding practices.

Through this book report assignment, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the world of branding. Even though it was only Baskin’s opinion that I was attempting to understand, I was able to get a glimpse of where the industry may be heading.

As this is my last blog entry, I will end by saying that I will leave this internship with an extremely well-rounded experience. I truly believe that any experience is good experience. Projects come and projects go, but at the end of the day, what you add to the company, and what you take from your experience are what matter the most.

The Final Salute

2009-08-10T11:53:00.002-04:00

It’s like this. One Monday morning you are in an elevator nervously awaiting your first day on the job, and nine weeks later its Monday morning and you are coming to grips with the fact that the summer is over. At least, I am.

It was a whirlwind of experiences. I have some strong portfolio pieces to take with me, great networking connections for the future and fond memories to look back on.

My biggest piece of advice to bestow upon future interns would be, do not be afraid to ask. Ask questions . . . but more importantly; ask to assist employees with projects and work. Doing so will demonstrate a proactive approach on your part and it will allow you more pieces to use in your portfolio. It is important to make yourself useful while here at LS.

My other piece of advice is to accept that this is a learning experience. Just because you have come straight from the classroom, does not mean you are fully equipped with every skill needed to be the SUPER intern. Every agency is different. They have a different voice, a different culture and a different philosophy. Listen and learn all you can about each place that you work because that is the best way to contribute in a way that is consistent with the way they do things. Even if you learned writing one way at school, you may find that LS (or anywhere you work for that matter) does it differently. Be able to adjust. Do not get stuck in your ways. Make flexibility your best friend.

Tomorrow is Ham Day, which is a day where our Director of Brand Voice brings in a giant ham, and the interns give our book reports. My book is called “How We Decide”. Though it looks fun because of the three ice cream cones on the cover, it is actually about neuroscience. However, I have found it interesting. I look forward to talking about it in front on the agency tomorrow . . . I think.
Hmmm… I can’t think of any other words of wisdom to impart. So I guess I will bid you all adieu. It has been a pleasure working here for the past nine weeks, being able to feel apart of such a creative industry at an agency that reflects that industry.

Morgan P.

Brand Management Intern

Utilizing the Tangled Web that is Your Network.

2009-08-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

In the past week, Steve had set up meetings for me with a public accounting firm as well as a law firm. Both were incredible experiences to see what kinds of advice professionals in both fields can provide to someone graduating in a few months. I was able to meet with numerous contacts at both locations, providing a true insight into both worlds. I am so grateful for the opportunities provided to me by working at Liggett Stashower. Above all the largest lesson I learned from both visits was that networking and properly using your network is key. Whether it be finding a job, or expanding your client base, the larger and closer your network is to you, the better off you will be in the business world. It is all about relationships. The relationships I am making here at Liggett are phenomenal. I will forever be able to use my experience here as a jumping point for the rest of my career.

Speaking of relationship building, last night was our intern party. We were able to unveil our t-shirt and poster designs to the executive committee, intern committee, our mentors, and our families. It was a wonderful experience to finally meet and get to know the families of all the other interns. You can truly tell a lot about a person by meeting their family. I was thoroughly impressed by all the other families. I now know where the interns get their personalities and character traits.

The intern party was slightly sad. It is hard to believe that we only have one week left in this experience, and that this is my last blog post. Even harder to believe though is the strength of relationships I was able to make while here at Liggett. I will be leaving here with six new friends, and relationships with wonderful people within a fantastic agency. This has been one great summer, I don’t know that I would have had as helpful of an experience had I not been at Liggett.

Danielle E.

Financial Intern

Lessons From Liggett

2009-08-06T17:04:00.001-04:00

Not too long ago Danielle wrote a rather insightful blog regarding the myriad lessons we interns have come to learn from life at Liggett. While her lessons may have been on the humorous side, they demonstrate just how much information we have gleaned from our time here. In all seriousness, the lessons and advice I have received will not soon be forgotten.

As Rachel has already mentioned, we spent time on Tuesday eating and chatting with Liggett Stashower CEO, Mark Nylander. Today we spent a similar lunch hour picking the brain of Liggett Stashower President and Executive Creative Director, David Moore.

After spending time with each it appears our two fearless leaders represent the ying and yang that make this agency such an incredible working environment. While Mark has a strong background in public relations, David comes from an equally strong background in creative. Both sides are important ingredients in agency life.

During our lunch David shared with us the many risks he has taken in life that ultimately got him where he is today. He left us with a quote from Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% percent of the shots you don’t take.” I will have to remember this as I venture out into the real world upon graduation. I cannot and will not let fear get in the way of achieving my goals.

Bonnie C.

Brand Management Intern

Blast From the Intern Past

2009-08-05T16:48:00.000-04:00

LS has had several interns who have made the jump to employees. As sort of a ‘What Are They Doing Now?’ on this blog, I decided it would be fun to get some insight from Olivia M. A former LS intern, Olivia was able to transition her internship into a full-time position as a LS Brand Specialist. In this position she works on several

client accounts performing media relations, ad routing and event planning.

Olivia attended Kent State, and studied journalism. When asked what the most rewarding part of her job now is, she said “getting a placement in a major magazine. In advertising placements are paid, but in PR you have to not only tell a great story but also build rapport with writers.”

To do that, Olivia likes to network, both in and out of the industry. “The best advice I’ve ever received was to network, network, network. Stay on top of the business and then keep networking!” Olivia encourages students to get involved with PRSA/PRSSA, the local 20/30 Club or AAF. To stay sharp and maintain awareness of trends, it is important to read industry magazines like PRWeek and BrandWeek. She also said it is a good idea to check out what brands are doing that compete with your clients. Apparently these are habits she formed earlier that have helped her continue to be successful.

It is always comforting to know that there is life after interning. Especially when interns can end up doing as well as Olivia.

Evan R.

Brand Management Intern

Lunch with the CEO

2009-08-04T15:50:00.001-04:00

Today we had the pleasure of sitting down for lunch with the CEO of LS, Mark. This entry will recap our conversations as I point out a few pieces of advice and knowledge that will stick with me long after I leave this internship.

In the beginning of the conversation, Mark stated that it is important for interns to use everything to their advantage, and do anything we can do to stand out. With that being said, in order to do something to stand out and be successful, one must do something that is relevant to the job or company that they are applying for. I know that coming out of this summer experience at Liggett, all of the interns and I have a leg up on our competition and hopefully we will all use the knowledge we have gained to stand out from the crowd.

Mark also mentioned a good point when he said that the friendly competition between entry-level job seekers in this business also happens within the business itself. Agencies strive to differentiate from one another and they do so by specializing in a certain niche, following trends and watching current issues within the industry.

We also talked about the most important traits in a new hire, or in an employee in general, which are honesty and integrity. I truly believe that in order for anyone to be successful in his or her professional, or personal, lives, it’s important to have a strong sense of integrity. As an intern, learning what potential employers or higher-level executives will be looking for in new hires is extremely beneficial.

For me, one of the best parts of this lunch was hearing how passionate Mark is about his work, this company and the industry in general. When asked what the most rewarding part of his job is, he mentioned that despite all of the challenges, getting up and going to work each morning with a great group of people and being able to make decisions each and every day that will impact the business, is something he wouldn’t trade for the world.

Just like there are many different environments in college, there are many different cultures at agencies. By working at Liggett I have had the opportunity to grasp the kind of culture that is this company, and so far I have realized it is one of warm, intelligent, hard-working individuals – working in this type of atmosphere makes our internship that much more enjoyable.

The Name Game

2009-08-03T09:53:00.002-04:00

Last week, my mentor asked me to help come up with a name for a new client initiative set to debut early next year. Developing names, taglines and other seemingly simple marketing elements is crucial to a brand’s identity. As much fun as it is to work on assignments like these, it can also be a little nerve-wracking, as a client’s success often hinges on how well a name or other short message communicates effectively with its target.

In this most recent case, the name had to encompass an entire program rather than a specific element, while also steering clear of any previously trademarked words or phrases. It wasn’t easy. Let’s just say great names don’t just fall from the sky. Well, maybe the obvious ones do, but those are already all trademarked anyway.

To confront this issue I had to go on a, shall we say, “mental road trip”. Sure, it’d be nice if I could just sit at my desk and pull creativity out from under my keyboard, but the fact is, it doesn’t always work that way.

I began with researching the focus of the initiative, as well as all of the parts and pieces of the program. Then, I wrote down a few ideas. Next, I consulted some handy publications all about idea generation, such as Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This:. Then, I wrote down a few more ideas. After I hit the books, I sat at home and explained parts of the program to members of my family. They didn’t approach the issue the same way I did, and that was exactly what I was looking for. Speaking with individuals outside of marketing about a marketing problem often brings a fresh perspective to the table, which is often just what is needed. Finally, I attended a brainstorming session where I, along with members of the creative team, generated new ideas together based on our collective insights.

The point is, the creative process, no matter how small the end result, is a journey. Great ideas don’t always set up shop in your office. Sometimes, you have to leave your desk and go find them.

Patrick Bensi

Creative Intern

Time out!

2009-07-31T16:07:00.005-04:00

Early in our internship an LS employee (and previous LS intern) imparted his wisdom on us about what it takes to be a successful intern. While the obvious traits were incorporated in his presentation (hard-work, dedication, teamwork, etc.), he was also careful to mention the importance of taking a break. After several weeks here, I am beginning to understand why.

As many of us have mentioned before, every day at Liggett is a different experience. I have attended field trips, sat in on planning sessions, and worked on projects for a number of accounts. At a moment’s notice my workload here has gone from manageable to somewhat overwhelming. Yet even when stepping out for an hour-long lunch break seems like the last thing I have time for, I have learned how essential it is to do so.

Attempting to work without any breaks will only leave you drained, irritable, and ultimately unproductive. A successful intern knows that taking time to re-fuel and re-focus can mean the difference between average and quality work. And when starting out in any career, average work will never get you ahead.

So go ahead, grab a friend and get some grub. Take your mind off a project and peruse a funny blog. Whatever you need to do to rest your mind, just be sure to get back to work when you’re done!

Bonnie C.

Brand Management intern

Intern Crawl. Please Meet Responsibly

2009-07-31T16:01:00.006-04:00

Yesterday the intern class and I had the opportunity to experience the summers of various other interns around Cleveland through what we call an “Intern Crawl”. It allowed us to get a taste for other agencies, other programs, and other people through meeting up and taking each other to our various places of business. The day went a little something like this:

First, Interns met at Pickwick and Frolic on East 4th. East 4th really is a delightful little area. There were twinkle lights, overflowing flowerpots, and a lot of outdoors dining. The food was delicious. More importantly, we met up with two interns from Glazen Creative Studios, one from Dix and Eaton, a handful from Great Lakes Publishing, and one from Landau. While I expected most interns to be around my age (approaching their senior year of college), I was surprised to find that most weren’t. Several were going into their sophomore or junior year in college, and some had already graduated. The initiative taken by some of the younger interns was inspiring to me, as they have achieved experience with few years of education under their belts. It shows their initiative and drive. Most of the older interns were taking internships to get varied experiences and to be positive that they were in a field that they wanted to have a future career in. We all got along really well.

We then commenced our crawl. We started and Dix and Eaton, moved our way through the city to Glazen Creative Studios, popped into Liggett Stashower, and then ended at Great Lakes Publishing (where we received free magazines). Each place had a completely different atmosphere, niche, and specialty. At Dix and Eaton I learned about Investor and Crises Public Relations. At Glazen Studios, we watched incredible videos for their various clients. Each video told an entire story in just three minutes, it was amazing to see the pictures they painted. At Great Lakes Publishing, we learned about the different magazines they publish and were able to browse through them, seeing the articles the interns had helped with or written.

Each of us interns had something different required of us in our programs, so it was fascinating to see the various aspects. There are so many opportunities in communication type industries, and it is great to see how similar the jobs are, but also how completely different they can be. I wouldn’t last a day editing videos, but I can write a press release in a half hour (I think?). Each of us is armed with different gifts and specialties, but each of our businesses allows other businesses to find success.
Overall, it was a fun day full of fieldtrips, friendships, and learning. This pretty much sums up the LS internship program in a nutshell.

Morgan P.

Brand Management Intern

Feeling Green

2009-07-30T16:41:00.002-04:00

Recently, I have been working on making my life “more green”. You know, trying to be more eco-friendly with my actions and purchases. My small steps toward becoming more green started at home by turning off the water while I brush my teeth, taking shorter showers, using my real dishes instead of disposable ones, reusing water bottles, turning off lights and TV, that sort of thing. However, I realized I spend a good chunk of my day here at Liggett and could “green” my actions here as well. LS made some eco-friendly decisions when we moved into our new space such as donating furniture to charities and organizations, recycling as more cardboard and paper as possible and reusing office supplies. I have been striving to do the same. Here is what I have been doing:

- taking the stairs as much as possible (especially the fun spiral ones!)

- reusing my cardboard cup from my morning commute coffee purchase throughout the day

- using less paper towels in the restroom or none at all (I am a fan of drying my hands by wiping them on my clothes, something my parents still yell at me for!)

- turning off the lights when I exit the restroom

- eliminating unnecessary printing

I know these are small steps, but they add up quickly among dozens of employees. As a young professional entering the business world, I hope to reduce my impact on the environment by taking these small steps early.

Abie M.
Graphic Design Intern

Diversifying Our Offerings

2009-07-30T10:18:00.004-04:00

Tuesday, our intern class took a field trip to Modern International Graphics Inc. (MIGI). I was particularly interested in this trip because we would be seeing the offset printing presses that they use for corporate books, brochures, signage and other products. I’m into that kind of thing.

While we were there, Roger who is one of the managers at MIGI was telling us about how he had been with the company 20+ years and how much the business had changed since he started. One of the things he said that stuck with me was that clients now want more than just printing. They have to be an integrated media solutions provider. They have to do some branding, personalized marketing and web-to-print solutions, all while maintaining their position as the best printer around.

That kind of got me to thinking about this internship. I’m a public relations major at school, so I can write, sure, but to provide value to my customer (LS in this case) I (read YOU) have to also learn other skills quickly. That means using social media tools, reading client background information, even improving my typing skills. Since times have changed, we can no longer focus on just one thing.

What has been great about this internship is that I have had the chance to work on multiple projects, whether it was writing case studies, pitching to news media, doing social media monitoring or even lifting 200-lb. wood samples. Every skill and ability you have should be put to use to give your client/future employer the best possible product. And even though your goal is to help your employer, in the end you get the benefits.

Evan R.

Brand Management Intern

I’ve Learned My Lesson…

2009-07-27T11:49:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday, Pat B. informed our intern class that he would be putting together a project focused around the interns. For this project, he asked each of us to write down a lesson we have learned from being at Liggett, in less than 20 words. I have to say that I have been perplexed by this task for a few days now. Even as I sit here at my desk, imparting my all-knowing intern knowledge on the rest of the world, it is very difficult to come up with ONE lesson, especially in less than 20 words. If you haven’t guessed by now, I have a lot to talk about and a lot of lessons learned. How am I ever going to choose?

Here is a short list of semi-humorous lessons (lets not get too carried away, we all know that I am the Financial Intern so it can’t be THAT funny). Most of these don’t meet the 20-word requirement and therefore will not be used in the project, but hopefully they will help future interns in some way shape or form.

- The fastest way to make friends in the agency is by handing out paychecks.
- Always preview a document before printing; otherwise you will have to re-print numerous times.
- Remember to bring Dennis with you when taking the freight elevator; otherwise you might get stuck in a dark, scary place...
- Claim your table out on Star Plaza early, if you don’t, you’ll be freezing in the shade.
- If you are going to get Subway for lunch, make sure you get to the shop at exactly 12 noon or else you’ll have to wait in a LONG line
- The agency likes chocolate fondue and dippable treats!
- If blogging is not your forté, use a lot of colorful pictures or try to be funny to hide how boring your writing style actually is.
- Always wear a watch, that way you don’t have to keep bugging your fellow intern about the time and whether or not you have to help Rosemary out by covering the phones during her lunch.
- Ham Day is a celebrated holiday at Liggett. It honestly should be celebrated worldwide.
- If you drink 5 cups of coffee to keep you awake, you will have to use the restroom a proportional number of times. Keep that in mind when you decide that you NEED a caffeine fix.

We are now going into week seven of our internship. It is hard to believe that our experience is coming to a close in just a few short weeks. In all seriousness, I have been able to experience and participate in so much here at Liggett. I know that no matter what position I have in my future employment, the experiences here will undoubtedly help. Whether it is learning to work with various personality types, learning to accept constructive criticism on your work, or just adjusting to life in the “real” world, I know that these lessons will stay with me forever. Liggett has already helped me improve myself. Their strong guidance is helping me become the businessperson I hope to be. I hope I can absorb as much knowledge as possible in these next few weeks. This intern program truly cultivates real-world-ready individuals. I am so proud to be part of the experience.

Danielle E.

Financial Intern

Insight: The Key to Effective Communication

2009-07-24T10:25:00.004-04:00

So much of doing great work for a client involves getting to know the people that use the client’s products. The formula is simple: when you understand the user, you can better understand the brand, which leads to a better marketing message.

Not long ago, a gentleman provided me with his testimony as a user of a brand Liggett represents. He described to me in painstaking detail the relationship our client’s product has with his craft. To say I was overwhelmed with information from our 27-minute phone conversation would be an understatement. I wondered why this man shared so much information with me, an intern at an ad agency, when it was obvious we both came from different worlds. After our conversation ended, I had to sift through the pages of information I had gathered in order to find what I needed to draft his testimonial.

Then it hit me. The value of the depths to which this man went in providing me with information was suddenly clear. It provided me with insight. Insight that allowed me to better understand the passionate people who use our client’s product, and as a result, write more effective copy tailored to them.

Insight gathered from consumers acts like a flashlight for ad agencies stuck in the dark over how to communicate effectively with the all-important brand user, especially when it comes to an unfamiliar product or industry.

What I’ve learned from gathering these testimonies extends beyond advertising to find relevance in everyday life. This experience has taught me to always listen to those around you, and pay careful attention to what they have to say. No matter how complicated or irrelevant, you can always learn something about the way people think through what they choose to say, and in some cases, what they choose not to. We call it insight, and it’s something you can never have too much of.

Patrick B.
Creative Intern

We're in this together

2009-07-23T16:28:00.002-04:00

Rachel’s post yesterday focused on the importance of building strong mentor-mentee relationships, and while I agree that it is one of the most beneficial parts of this internship, I have also found that our intern class relationship has played a large part in my experience at LS. Coming into this program, I knew there would be six to eight other interns on the team with whom I would be working. I knew we would all be coming from different schools with different past internships and different expertise. In such a competitive industry, I figured it would take some time for us to all get along because we’d be sizing each other up. That never happened.

From the first day on the job, we all started talking like we all went to college together. We sat around for an hour sharing about our past jobs and our different school programs. In the five weeks since then our group has only grown stronger. We laugh together, fight each other on ideas, and give each other a hard time when we make fools of ourselves. We have each other’s backs on the bad days, and we congratulate each other on the good days. It is so great to come into work everyday and know that my coworkers are not just people who I sit next to, but also my friends.

On a more professional level, becoming close with the intern class has allowed me insight into their strengths. I know I can value their opinions when I am working on something, and they will let me know if my Ham Day design actually looks like a ham sandwich. We don’t sugar coat things around here, and no one gets offended if their idea gets booted out. Through getting to know one another, we have also realized the value of networking. Even though we are still in college, the importance of making connections still holds. We have already decided that Rachel knows someone in every industry, so we will all be keeping her as a Friend on Facebook. Also, since we are all in similar programs at our various schools, we can compare what our education has taught us. Being able to see the strengths of other school’s programs allows us to see what things we should improve on individually, to make us stronger employees.

Most importantly getting along well with your other interns makes this job that much more fun. It is great to be able to have lunch together and escape the agency world for just an hour. Its good to know there are others going through the same steps as you are, and we are all doing it together. Who knows. Maybe some of us will work together at agencies in a few years.

Abie M.
Graphic Design Intern

Mentor-Mentee Relationships

2009-07-22T15:33:00.003-04:00

I want to touch briefly on the value of finding a mentor while completing an internship. When I began my search for summer internship opportunities, I knew that there were some great agencies I could apply to in the Cleveland area. As the application process continued, I decided to not only focus on everything that I felt I could offer these agencies, but rather also look at what their specific internship programs could offer me.

One aspect of the LS Intern Program that initially stuck in my mind was the importance the program places on fixing up each one of their interns with a mentor for the summer. After having a few years of college and a couple internships under my belt, I know that having a mentor can be very valuable. The LS Intern Program allows and encourages all of their interns to develop a relationship with their mentor, which will help to guide them through their internship.

I can safely say that I have had a great experience with my mentor so far. Not only do Jody and I have many things in common, she is also someone I know I can go to if I need help or if I have a problem with something I am working on. Even if I just need to bounce an idea off her, it is great and comforting to know that she is there to lend a hand.

To make sure that I am constantly engaging with and learning from Jody, I check in with her frequently during the day, ask her if she needs any help, and then check in with her before I leave at night. It is developing these kinds of relationships, such as mine with Jody, which have enhanced my internships and led me to the success I have had thus far as an intern.

If there is any advice I could give, it would be that even if the agency or company that you want to work for does not have a mentoring program set up like the one at LS, it would be of great value to reach out and find someone in the company that you could consider a mentor. Doing so will definitely help you make the most out of your time and your experience during your internship.

Rachel Z.
Connection Planning Intern

Schooled in Radio, Sports, and Life

2009-07-21T16:00:00.006-04:00

Today the interns and I journeyed across Cleveland to the WKNR radio studio, which is an ESPN affiliate. I am not one for sports, but that did not stop me from absorbing everything I could from the experience. And truth be told, the experience was not sports focused at all. Mark "Munch" Bishop, a talk show host and Sports Director for the station, imparted words of wisdom upon the intern class that I truly believe will aid in our future success. I guess I’m a sucker for advice, but his words really struck home.

One thing Munch said that I think affected each and every intern is not to be afraid of change. He was adamant that we always try new things and to never turn something down if it is in our capabilities to get it done. Being able to master various projects and tasks will make us valuable assets to whatever company lies in our future.

Another piece of advice he gave us was to try and be better everyday in everything that we do. Every new task we take on should be our best work. This was very pertinent to our current situation, as we are all interns trying to get a grasp on what agency life is like. Putting ourselves forward for new projects, working as hard as we can for excellent results, and not being intimidated by the task at hand are all things we can use during our internships and in our futures.

As another week passes I am amazed at all that I have been able to accomplish. It has been difficult, discovering the style of the agency and trying to recreate that in my own work. But flexibility is what has really assisted me. Not getting too stuck in my ways has enabled me to change with every project I take on. Trying new things and gathering ideas is an experience much like Munch talked about, as it is important not to be afraid in situations where change is inevitable. Realizing that I have been applying the guidance that Munch bestowed upon us has allowed me to realize my growth since starting here five weeks ago.

So the radio station was an exciting field trip. Oh yeah. . . Munch also talked about interviewing people like baseball player Derek Jeter and a Browns football player named Josh Cribbs. I’m sure those names mean something to you sports fans out there. To me it was important just to glean guidance from a seasoned radio personality who knew a ton about marketing, PR, personality, and life.

Additionally, I have since embarrassed myself through my ignorance in sports, and I am now fully informed as to who Derek Jeter and Josh Cribbs are. I also know how to spell their names. Thank you LS.

Morgan P.
Brand Management Intern