A Competitive
Edge
Not many 20-something guys know the
difference between bronzer and blush.
Thanks to his position on the John-
son & Wales' Ad Team, which gave
him the opportunity to conduct
market research for a Mary Kay
pitch last year, Sam Glassoff '14 is
grateful that he does.
Led by associate professors Oscar
Chilabato and Christine Ure, JWU's
Ad Team work has soared to the
top in the National Student
Advertising Competition. In
2011 and 2012, it placed third on a
national level; fourth in 2013 and
2014. And in 2012 and 2013, the
team was honored for having the
best plans book, nationally.
"The students really want to win,"
says Chilabato, whose experience
includes 20 years in advertising
before joining JWU. "They've devel-
oped a real passion for advertising."
When competition nears, the team
works around the clock to finalize
the plans book and rehearse the
pitch for groups of Ad Team alumni.
This intense attention to detail
has paid off — with much more
than wins. Alumni call Ure when
they want to fill openings in their
organizations. And agencies have
told the team they wish they could
present to clients as well as the
team presents to them, Chilabato
adds.
As for Glassoff, he's landed a prime
position with L'Oreal. It's more than
his knowledge of makeup that got
him there. "Ad Team definitely gave
me the edge over other applicants,"
he says. In interviews, he draws on
his hands-on experience conduct-
ing market research, understand-
ing media buying, building social
media campaigns, organizing
budgets and more.
"Ad Team was by far the most
rewarding time of my entire col-
lege experience," reflects Glassoff,
who was also selected to deliver
the student address at Commence-
ment last May.
"I'm so proud
of everything
we've done."
"
"
Ad Team definitely gave
me the edge.
Sam Glassoff '14
