Jacht Ad Lab welcomes new crew for spring 2015

Lincoln, Neb., March 4, 2015 -- Jacht Ad Lab, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications' interdisciplinary student ad agency, announced 26 students selected for the spring 2015 crew. A unique hybrid of a class and a business, Jacht gives UNL students the opportunity to run all aspects of an ad agency. Mentorship and support from Nebraska Global and local ad agencies Bailey Lauerman and Swanson Russell have helped to propel Jacht into an entrepreneurial startup. 

Students participating this semester were chosen from across the UNL campus through a highly competitive process that included resume and portfolio reviews as well as interviews with Jacht faculty and student staff.

“Our applicant pool continues to grow as Jacht’s reputation for a great learning experience reaches across the UNL campus,” said Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations Amy Struthers, who founded Jacht and acts as the lead faculty member at the student ad lab. “These students represent some of the most motivated, directed and passionate young adults in our campus community.”

Students use their skills and knowledge to work with real clients such as the Shrine Bowl of Nebraska, Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, the Child Advocacy Center, Finke Gardens, Lighthouse, Nebraska Dairy Association, Travefy, Bright Lights and the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

“Jacht provides a unique opportunity for us, as students, to work in a real business setting for clients with actual problems and demands,” student Chief Executive Officer Kaylan Maloley said, “We are learning how to think strategically, build relationships, manage deadlines and solve challenging problems. It is an invaluable experience.”

Jacht students represent a variety of majors including accounting, advertising and public relations, journalism, marketing, graphic design, film and new media, broadcasting, economics, finance and business administration. The agency seeks out students from all colleges to bring together highly motivated and passionate students who are excited about applying their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

Jacht students are led by Struthers and Jacht’s three consultants: Sandra Cranny, former senior executive vice president and chief communications officer at Bailey Lauerman; Ryan Holt, associate art director at Swanson Russell; and Brian Reid, director at W2O Group headquartered in San Francisco.

Jacht launched in the fall of 2010 as the College of Journalism and Mass Communications’ first student advertising agency. Youthful passion for experimentation with social media, digital production, mobile media and other emerging technologies generates a unique student “ad lab” experience that yields professional and engaging strategies. Jacht offers clients professional solutions to communications issues while allowing students to learn, explore, analyze and test fresh ideas within the constantly evolving advertising industry.

For more information about Jacht, go to http://www.jachtadlab.com.

Following is a list by hometown of students in Jacht this semester. Information includes role(s) in Jacht, year in school and academic major(s).

NEBRASKA

Arlington: Charlsie Bastian, account planner, senior, advertising and public relations. and marketing.

Columbus: Tiffany Wieser, designer, senior, art.

Kearney: Jake Bunger, account executive, junior, business administration. advertising and public relations.

Lincoln: Hannah Nelson-Tyrrell, photographer, senior, advertising and public relations; Beau Poehlman, videographer, senior, broadcasting; Laine Sanburg, public relations, junior, advertising and public relations; Amanda Walla, designer, junior, advertising and public relations, and film studies.

Omaha: Kent Beal, copywriter, senior, advertising and public relations; Tony Bertino, account planner, senior, advertising and public relations; Caitlin Egan, accountant, senior, accounting; Yoni Gill, photographer, junior, advertising and public relations; Jordan Lambrecht, designer, senior, graphic design; Kaylan Maloley, CEO, senior, marketing; Mickey Pike, account executive, senior, advertising and public relations, communication studies and psychology.

Papillion: Kevin Buglewicz, designer, junior, studio art. advertising and public relations; Gretchen Pille, account planner, senior, music. and advertising and public relations.

Scottsbluff: Katie Rueb, account planner, junior, advertising and public relations, English, psychology and sociology.

ELSEWHERE

Clayton, Del.: Jennifer Harris, project manager, senior, advertising and public relations. business and English.

Oslo, Norway: Katrine Limseth, designer, senior, advertising and public relations.

Overland Park, Kan.: Stacie Sikora, account executive/public relations, senior, advertising and public relations.

Parker, Colo.: Anna Wilson, account executive, junior, advertising and public relations.

Rapid City S.D.: Emma Thomas, account executive, junior, advertising and public relations.

Springfield, Mo.: Anna English editor/Web developer, junior, advertising and public relations. English and theater.

Westminster, Colo.: Connor Shapiro public relations/social media, senior, advertising and public relations.