In lieu of our usual Friday King St. Q&A, we’re taking a different approach this week. You may or may not know that next Wednesday is the last one in the office for our Summer Interns. To mark the occasion, we present the second part of our One Question Q&A, wherein we asked all of the interns’ one question when they started . . . then the exact same question at the end of the summer. A few of these folks weren’t around for the first question, but we’ve included there answers too to see what they took away from the summer. Enjoy!

 The Question: “Why are you interested in Advertising?”

The Twist: They had to provide their answers in 140 characters or less.

CHRISTOPHER LILLY

Now: “I enjoy the speculative processes, exploring how the corporate world can use brand image to manage its relationship with the general public.”

Then: “For years, I’ve enjoyed analyzing brands and peoples’ conceptions of them. Consumer products were simply part of how I grew up.”

BERNADETTE STAINO

Now: “I learned how to work with other “leader” personalities cohesively. I gained confidence in myself and I now love advertising even more.”

Then: “I love the combination of people, culture and business that constantly evolves. This requires a youthful heart and passionate nature.”

CRISTINA PANSOLINI

Now: “The digital media aspect of advertising is growing rapidly, creating organic and viral marketing campaigns that surpass anything done before. We’re seeing more and more experts under the age of 30 who the CEOs and Presidents of the world rely on heavily. Saatchi has given me the drive to become one of those experts.”

Then: “Advertising interests me because of its creative and persuasive aspects, in addition to the fact that advertisers always have to be on the defensive.”

MARTA ALEMU

Now: “The exciting and fast paced world of advertising is one of the most creative industries there is. It gives brands personalities and brings them to life.”

Then: “Why are interested in advertising? I like the exciting, fast paced culture of advertising and the creativity involved.”

MEL FISH

Now: “Insights lead to big ideas and big ideas offer endless possibility. Advertising is the art of concentrating all of this and bringing it to life.”

Then: “Malcolm Gladwell got me interested in pop culture. There was no pop culture major available so I picked the next best thing. Advertising.”

CAROLYN MURDOCK

Now: “I like coming into work where everyone is trendier than me. It gives me something to strive for.”

Then: “I’m a big creative geek and a type-A control freak. Advertising seems like the best place for that seemingly paradoxical combination.”

CATHERINE BRYANT

Now: ”I aspire to cut the busy work, the noise, and the crap that no one cares about out of people’s lives. Get to the point. What do people really care about?”

Then: “I’m an economist by training and am wildly curious about what incentivizes people. Advertising is the real life application of this, without having to do a boring PhD program.”

MEREDITH SAVATSKY

Now: “Free product samples. JK! It’s a fast pace, ever evolving industry. Also a humbling one- turns out I have room to develop my brain after all…”

Then: “It’s a field of work in which you get to use both the right and left side of your brain… and both sides of mine are just too developed to let go to waste.”

LILLIAN LIN

Now: “Advertising is interesting because it’s… like an ogre! It has layers! There’s the creative, the planning, and the account… with every layer you peel, you find something different and unique. But in the end they all come together to form something bigger and more meaningful.”

Then: “Advertising offers a unique combo of creative and analytical work. Everything is project-based so the work is always fresh. Plus, people are down-to-earth and no one wears suits!”

KELSEY GORDON

Now: “Interacting with people and delving deeper into the choices they make as consumers fascinates me. The potential that those insights provide for brands to change perceptions, and often cultural trends as a whole, is something that excites me to be a part of.”

Then: “I’ve always been a people person with a knack for persuasion and a passion for creativity. After my first ad class, I was hooked.”

EVE POLLET

Now: “It’s an industry based on the power of ideas and I love that. Every day I have spent at Saatchi I have been inspired by a person or an idea and that is exactly how I want my career to be.”

Then: “I have always been intrigued by new products, and the best way to introduce new products to the public is by advertising them. As a Sociology major I am also interested in the way the brand is communicated through advertising because it is a reflection of society and what people want.”

ANNA MIKA-ROUX

Now: “I was blessed to experience a Tribe session. I was amazed by the thinking process and break through ideas that came from putting twenty people, with VERY different personalities/work backgrounds, in a room for nine hours.”

Then: “Advertising presents an intellectual challenge to successfully position and promote a client’s product/service. I do not want to simply promote products; I want to help Saatchi & Saatchi spark emotional connections by turning their clients’ products/services into Lovemarks.”

ALYSSA POMPEO

Now: “I am interested in advertising because it’s exciting, creative, and it connects with people everywhere”

Then: “I am interested in advertising because it is a perfect outlet for me to express my interests in business and creativity. More importantly, with innovative forms of technology and media, advertising is reaching more people  all over the world. It is it an economical, creative, and socio-cultural industry that now is truly global and it is this global aspect that has truly peaked my interest in this field.”

KELISHA MENON

Now: “I love pushing myself out of my comfort zone to understand people with different beliefs. I love discovering why people love what they love.”

Then: “I love getting out of my comfort zone to understand people with different backgrounds, and seeing how brands provide meaning, not just function”

ANGELINA ANTONIO

Now: “Creative thinkers & doers catalyze change on so many levels & scales. I want to be one of those people. Being here solidified that.”

Then: “It allows me to reinvent myself, everyday. I see it like this: people are like ideas, new ones can change the world.”

THAO LE

Now: ”Advertising is a dynamic industry that’s wrapped around inspirational ideas. No matter where I turn at Saatchi, innovation is everywhere.”

Then: “I started UT Austin as advertising major. After taking a few introductory courses in media planning, I fell in love with advertising.”

ADAM BEILMAN

Now: “Since I was a kid, I’ve loved advertising and basketball. At Saatchi I’ve learned that, unlike basketball, I can play in the big leagues.”

Then: “I first heard the Gatorade Be Like Mike song at age 7. Wanted to work in advertising shortly thereafter, when it was still stuck in my head.”

THEA HUGES

Now: “Ideas that have personality, telling the World a story, break trough barriers and make people think. My time at Saatchi has been filled with great story telling by people who have indefinitely colored my view on life. Advertising goes far beyond the product. ”

Then: “Its about intertwining brands with events, music & art to create a unique movement–Fashion lines that brand and position themselves in unconventional mediums.”

THOMAS CORDELL

Now: “It is a place for the mind to grow. You are surrounded by people who challenge you to break out of your little shell and BE a part of the world around you.”

Then: “Creative people are the best kind, I say. I love communicating ideas, be it through print, video, or especially music, so advertising is a natural choice for me.”

TARA LYNCH

Now: “I want to go into advertising because:  The people are crazy–in a good way… so at least I know I belong. Oh and because you learn something new every day.”

Then: “I wanted to go into advertising because it influences people to NEED the things they never knew they wanted. So, I wanted to learn why and how.”

BRIGITTA PARK

Now: “I love that the Advertising industry constantly evolves because there’s always an opportunity to learn something new!”

Then: “Advertising holds the ability to influence people across the world and the power to sustain the health of our planet for future generations.”

TAYLOR LUCAS
Now: “I don’t get yelled at when I doodle on my notes.”

NICK MARCHESE
Now: “To quote my first boss, Jerry Della Femina: “Advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”

RYAN KINNER
Now: I’m interested because of the ever changing styles of advertising. You always need to be looking for the next best thing and ideas can come from anywhere. Sitting still in advertising is to let opportunity fly by you.