UNI students to form AFA affiliate

This semester, advertising students at the University of Northern Iowa, with the guiding hand of UNI instructor in marketing Matthew Wilson, are founding and building AAF-UNI, the student organization affiliate of the American Advertising Federation.

The mission of AAF-UNI is to build a vibrant and engaged community of students who are passionate about advertising.  Wilson said, "I love the idea of advertising students from the marketing department working with graphic design students from the art department and electronic media students from the communications department."

"I think organizing a creative and integrated advertising campaign across campus majors will be an incredible way to connect with other students in fields I have never been involved with," said AAF-UNI president Adam Ross. "I think we all will share ideas and be able to feed off one another's strengths to form an outstanding chapter at UNI."

In its first year, AAF-UNI plans to establish a constitution; participate in NSAC, an integrated communications campaign competition for AAF student chapters; and enter projects into the student ADDY awards.

"We hope to collaborate with AAF-UNI on many levels," said AAF-Cedar Valley president Laura Hand. "The chapter is an amazing opportunity for students to grow their advertising experience and to network with local industry professionals."

An advantage of a new organization like this is that the students get to determine the focus and direction of the organization. Students will choose the organization's format, projects, speaker, events and more–without prior standards to limit creativity.

As a result of their AAF experiences, students will also be more attractive to potential employers. Wilson said, “With their NSAC experience developing integrated ad campaigns for national brands, UNI graduates are going to be more prepared to meet the demands and challenges of the industry."  He hopes to develop stronger relationships with local and regional ad agencies and marketing groups and to find ways to interact with AAF-UNI.

For more information, contact Megan Horn at 319-268-9151 or PR@aafcedarvalley.com or Matthew Wilson at Matthew.Wilson@UNI.edu. Learn more about AAF-UNI on Facebook. Learn more about AAF-Cedar Valley at www.AAFCedarValley.com, www.Facebook.com/AAFCedarValley, www.Twitter.com/AAFCedarValley or on LinkedIn under AAF-Cedar Valley.

About The American Advertising Federation

AAF-Cedar Valley is the local affiliate of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." The AAF is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. The AAF has a national network of 200 ad clubs located in ad communities across the country.

Through its 215 college chapters, the AAF provides 6,500 advertising students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has 130 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies and media companies, comprising the nation's leading brands and corporations.

For more information, visit the AAF's website at www.aaf.org.