Advertising

[mr.jaynes]

As I'm returning to the Tulsa area within the next 18 months, I'm looking for a niche in which I'd fit quite well, and one field I'm pondering is advertising. I'm a pretty good writer and photographer-if I say so myself-and wonder if perhaps I could apply this in this particular field? What are the ad agencies in Tulsa like? Are there courses one could take at Vo-Tech or Tulsa Junior College to prepare one for this work?

[TheArtist]

No degrees per say that I could find. Its still difficult to find anything but the basics in Tulsa at this time. However there are a few classes that may help at the Vo-Tech. and at TCC.



http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/oic3/newofferings.cgi?name=tulsacc&dept=CD&path=

[NellieBly]

There are a number of advertising/marketing/pr agencies in town, some are big and some small. It's a tight market however.

There are plenty of freelance opportunities if you know where to look. Several smaller local papers use them. Be prepared to be paid about 10 cents a word, however. There are also several professional groups that have job listings that you will never see in the local paper. You have to be a little "in the know" usually.

For classes, local camera stores offer photography classes and there are all kinds of classes on creative writing, graphic design, etc. at area colleges. Some are only a few days long, compared to traditional college classes.

[AngieB]

I am in the advertising field...personally, I don't see working for an agency again unless I'm desperate, but that is the place where you "pay your dues" so to speak. Been there, done that -- I love my corporate design job and hope to stay here forever.

The small design firms in town are booming and are using freelancers for design, photography and writing. A couple of them are keeping me very busy evenings and weekends.

I can't say that courses at TCC or Vo-tech are going to do you a whole lotta good. Honestly, the best place to go in the area is OSU-Okmulgee. They have great programs. Their photography program is really top-notch. And commuting to Okmulgee is really no biggie.

But honestly, what it really boils down to is what's in your portfolio. Networking is very important and The Art Directors Club of Tulsa (artdirectorsoftulsa.org) is a good place to start.

Good luck!

[Conan71]

Most new hires and subsequent movement within the ad agency realm in Tulsa almost always is the result of someone knowing someone.

If you have any sort of sales background, put in a resume with Urban Tulsa Weekly or one of the other local publications or with broadcast media.  You can get to know a lot of people within the ad industry working in that environment after six months or a year.  It's no guarantee, but it's a lot better than knocking on doors as a new arrival back to Tulsa.

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

There are a number of advertising/marketing/pr agencies in town, some are big and some small. It's a tight market however.

There are plenty of freelance opportunities if you know where to look. Several smaller local papers use them. Be prepared to be paid about 10 cents a word, however. There are also several professional groups that have job listings that you will never see in the local paper. You have to be a little "in the know" usually.

For classes, local camera stores offer photography classes and there are all kinds of classes on creative writing, graphic design, etc. at area colleges. Some are only a few days long, compared to traditional college classes.

Tell me more about the freelancing. Also, in terms of cclasses, would TJC have anything that may help, no matter how large or small?

[Nick Danger]

Can you advise where the freelance job opportunities are published? I have a graphic arts background, more to the technical side (type/layout/copy editing) but by no means an artist. My primary line has been technical sale brochures and catalogs with photo manipulation, but no "art" per se. The company I work for is in the process of being sold, and I believe my marketing position there will be the first to go, so am looking for other possible opportunities. Since I also operate a part time commercial embroidery business, I am not excited about being tied down 40 hours in a full time job.

Nick