Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne, also known as BBDO, is an international advertising agency network. Their work has been featured all over the globe and a few may even be your Superbowl favorites with clients like Snickers, Barbie and Footlocker. You too can build national ad campaigns like as a BBDO Atlanta Account Management and Content Production Intern.
What It’s Like
BBDO may be a big advertising agency, but its clients are even bigger. BBDO interns should expect to work in a fast paced environment. Since the company works as a giant team, interns, especially account management interns, work in almost every aspect of an advertising campaign. “Not only do [interns] become familiar with the account management team and the process, but [interns] also really get acquainted with other teams within the agency and are exposed to different pieces of the things that we do,” BBDO Atlanta Human Resources Manager Jessica Welch said. If you thought you knew nothing now, you’ll know everything by the end of your BBDO internship.
Cool Stuff You Get to Do
BBDO interns could potentially have their work featured on television. Well, at least your team’s work. Either way, you get to brag to your friends that you helped create a real commercial. BBDO interns contribute ideas and help follow through with the creative process. “[I would say] the coolest part about being an intern is that…when you start a campaign, before you end, you may see a TV commercial that you helped create and had been a part of that process,” Welch said. “To just see something from…not only what the work looks like, but how it impacts the consumer and drives sales for our client, I would say is a very cool and rewarding opportunity for any intern.” Get ready for your 30 seconds of fame.
What You’ll Learn
Interning at BBDO ATL teaches you the day-to-day functions of a big time advertising agency–how to make successful deadlines and the importance of teamwork. According to Welch, the biggest takeaway from interns is learning to deal with challenging situations or people and creating a proper dialogue during these situations. Even if you realize that working at an ad agency isn’t your dream post graduation, you still have transferable skills that look great on resumes.
How to Prepare for Your Application
The application process takes place online. And while us millennials can easily navigate anything online, make sure that everything is edited and free of grammatical errors. “Apply through the only portal and make sure you have a great resume with a cover letter attached. [Make] an introduction of yourself and why you want to work for BBDO,” Welch said. Craft a cover letter that really describes your desire to work for the company. And don’t be afraid to brag about yourself a little. Tell the team what value you would bring to BBDO ATL.
Skills that Impress Them
If you’re scared that you don’t have a chance because of experience, hakuna matata. Advertising is a very creative career path. You need spunk. “Even if you aren’t getting a degree in advertising, say you’re an English major or an Art major, make your resume stand out. Say ‘okay maybe I didn’t get an opportunity to study advertising in college because my school didn’t offer that program.’ Tell us why you want to work in advertising even though you don’t have a degree in advertising,” Welch said. Passion is the preference for BBDO. When you come in to interview be professional and ready to talk about your burning desire for advertising, whether for it be the creative side or the account management side.
Cool Perks
On Social Fridays, everyone gets together to celebrate accomplishments and enjoy each other’s company. “We [also] have pop-up parties, where we’ll get the whole agency together to celebrate and also get to see the work we have created over the last couple of months because sometimes we don’t get to see the ads because we’re moving so quickly,” Welch said. Who would’t want to party in the middle of the work day?
The Deets
- Most interns are recent grads
- Dress ranges from casual to business casual
- Internship is paid
- Work about 40 hours a week, but you never know where an ad campaign may take you
- BBDO Atlanta accepts applications all year round.
- Check out their instagram page
