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Why I Chose a Career in Advertising

11/13/14 | advertising, swimming

I was surprised how many emails I got after yesterday’s post – while I do not have my career listed on my about page on the blog, I do refer to it in my Twitter bio and I have mentioned it a number of times – yes, I do work in advertising.  People ask me this all the time – what drew you to the field or why did you choose a career in advertising?  The answer is long and drawn out and when I pause on the bring of the story often people change tact and what is your favorite ad? Off the top of my head I usually say “The Force” by Volkswagen.  Why?  It is a great spot and most people have seen it, as it gained immense popularity when it premiered during the 2011 Super Bowl: 

 
60-seconds of near-perfection with no words necessary.  An excellent ad.  However, if you want the real, long, drawn out version then it begins with the Nike ads.  I am pretty sure I saw these ads in Teen People and as young teenage athlete, they spoke to me.  They weren’t featuring glamour shots of skinny girls, they were zoomed images of strong, powerful girls.   Only a few years before, Mia Hamm had led the U.S. team to World Cup victory, but all people seemed to remember was her taking her shirt off.  I can still recall being mad that people were talking about her sports bra and not her skills on the field.

When I saw this campaign I went with my mom and bought the shorts in the first ad – shorts I bet half of you own, or have owned at one point.  When I put them on I was proud to be an athlete. In the decade since they first appeared I have read a handful of articles and reviews that critiqued the campaign because, “it showed neither real beauty nor ordinary women.” I beg to differ.  As much as I love high fashion, these ads are real. I recognized that I had a curiosity about people and behavior and how brands connect us to our aspirations and impact our lives: 

Nike-Women-Thunder-ThighsNike-Women-My-Shoulders Nike-Womaen-My-Hips Nike-Women-My-KneesNike-Women-My-Butt Nike-Women-My-Legs

All six images found via Google here. 

The shoulder ad hit home the most as I had muscly shoulders from swimming and even recall one family friend telling my mom to stop letting me swim butterfly because I would grow “man shoulders”.  You know what?  I was am proud of my shoulders.  They pulled me through more miles of water then I care to think about.  And over ten years after they came out, these Nike ads still hit home.

I must admit, the path here was not a straight one and although this campaign is very far from what I am doing right now in advertising, they pack a punch. Thank you, Nike. 

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Comments

  1. Kim Landry says

    June 8, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Hey Kel! Stumbled upon this post and thought I’d tell you a fun fact: ‘The Force’ ad by VW that you love was edited by the post-production company I work at, Union Editorial. It was just in the running for the “Ad of the Decade’…came in 2nd place (so close!!)

    Hope all is well!
    XO

  2. sac vanessa bruno pas cher says

    May 31, 2015 at 4:39 am

    I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.

    I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉
    Cheers!

  3. Blue Adriatic says

    November 18, 2014 at 6:09 am

    Interesting story! Advertising needs people full of new, creartive ideas!
    Kiss, Sily

  4. isabel says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:27 am

    it’s a very tough one!
    xx

    isa

    http://www.un-likely.com

  5. MIDORI LINE says

    November 13, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    loved this post, thanks for sharing! xoxo

    http://midoriline.com/blog/

  6. Julia @ Grace Makes New says

    November 13, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Those Nike ads are so awesome! Advertising sounds like a fascinating career, it would be really cool to be part of a team that creates ads like that!

  7. Katie says

    November 13, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Such a great post. I have never come across anyone’s bloq who is in advertising before.

    katieappleyard.com

  8. Becca says

    November 13, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    I am getting ready to graduate in Marketing/Advertising/Branding in a little less than a month and I absolutely love this post. I had never really thought about what drew me into wanting to go into this field until I read this. I love that you have this reason that so many other people who aren’t in advertising can relate to. And I agree, the VW commercial is one of the all time greats :).

  9. MIsty says

    November 13, 2014 at 11:33 am

    I love that VW commercial. It’s so cute!

  10. Cece says

    November 13, 2014 at 11:25 am

    LOVE all of these adds!! That’s the image we need to get out. I’m not saying that high fashion editorials don’t have a place but I think it should be along side adds like these that show a different body type. A body type that is just as acceptable and beautiful and needs to be promoted that way.

  11. Samantha says

    November 13, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Advertising, marketing, PR… ALL my dream jobs. Maybe one day I’ll get to fulfill it somehow lol but I love you’re reasoning 😉

  12. Jo from Styleat30.com says

    November 13, 2014 at 8:18 am

    LOVE the NIKE ad that you shared here. Nike is definitely iconic when it comes to their creative ads. Their slogan is great. My favorite ads are usually print and I love brands that can launch a mega trend like De Beer’s “Diamond is Forever” campaign — that totally catapulted an industry! I am in the jewelry industry so the first thing I notice in a woman is her accessories. Of course, Nike’s “JUST DO IT” slogan is also pretty epic and love that they feature real, powerful, successful woman achievers. Great post. =)

    Fashion | Travel | Food
    Jo from http://www.Styleat30.com

    You can find me on Facebook for more regular updates:
    https://www.facebook.com/StyleAt30

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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