Ad Federation honors December UNL grad Sahiouni

Released on 01/26/2011, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, Neb., January 26th, 2011 —
Mai Mijoe Sahiouni
Mai Mijoe Sahiouni

The American Advertising Federation has named recent University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate Mai Mijoe Sahiouni of Ann Arbor, Mich., one of 50 finalists for its Most Promising Minority Student awards. Sahiouni, who graduated in December, majored in advertising/public relations and theater.

AAF's Most Promising Minority Student Program is the premier advertising industry award program to recognize and recruit outstanding minority college graduates in advertising, marketing, media and communications.

Sahiouni, an intern with The Beckwith Co. and Dietrich Nelson and Associates of Los Angeles, Calif., said, "The Most Promising Minority Student program is not just about an appreciation of diversity in ethnic backgrounds -- it is an appreciation of the diversity of ideas. This is what I'm hoping to bring to the table in New York."

This is the third year that a UNL advertising student has been invited by the AAF for a three-day all expenses paid trip to New York. In addition, UNL advertising professor Stacy James will join Sahiouni in New York City Feb. 1-3, to receive the nominator award. In August, James received the Outstanding Service Award from the Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

"What I really like about Mijoe is her passion for this business of strategic communications. She's enthusiastic, curious and ambitious," James said. "With Mijoe representing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and our advertising sequence, we all win."

Sahiouni participated in UNL's UCARE project, the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research experiences program. Sponsored by faculty member Juliana Hagemeier, Sahiouni was an assistant to the general manager of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film during her first year in UCARE. There she used her skills learned in the classroom to write press releases and create a marketing plan for a fundraising gala. While working as a marketing associate for the Nebraska Repertory Theatre she conducted research on audience development.

Sahiouni will be featured in Advertising Age, USA Today and the Most Promising Minority Student program book. Additionally, her resume will be included in the 2011 Most Promising resume database that will be available to human resources and media professionals across the nation.

College graduates are selected for the award based on academic standing, work experience, extracurricular activities, leadership and community service. They must be seniors of African, Asian, Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander descent.

WRITER: Marilyn Hahn

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