Okay, so we aren’t having them hand-carry 33 soy lattés on a mandatory Starbucks run, but we know there usually isn’t a whole lot of glory in the role of an intern. And what better way to hear about what life is really like here than from the interns themselves? Straight from the Padawans’ mouths, here’s what they have to say:
April Chmurzynski – Design Padawan
My internship at The Martin Group has been an incredible learning experience. Being able to observe and take part in an agency has taught me a lot about an authentic application of what I have been learning from Assistant Professor Ben Van Dyke in my Communication Design courses at University at Buffalo. Professor Van Dyke recommended me for the Padawan program, knowing I was eager to test my skills and have some real-life experience in the business.
My Jedi, Creative Supervisor Dave Riley, had me sitting in on client change meetings, attending presentations by professional photographers, like John Myers and George Kamper, and assisting TMG photographer Charles Waldorf on a photo shoot for Holy Angels Academy. Dave gave me lots of hands-on experience, such as mocking up brochures, mounting logo ideas and preparing for one of the creative team’s presentation to Delaware North Companies. Soon I was using InDesign to make revisions on in-progress jobs for clients, such as Caps for Kids, Catwalk for Charity and Greatbatch. I was even involved with preparing hand-made TMG portfolios for presentation to prospective clients. My personal favorite memories as a Padawan are of sitting in on brainstorming and concepting meetings, where I learned so much from the team.
I have also learned a lot about the way an agency is organized, from the networks and computer system, to the people who contribute to the different aspects of working with clients – traffic managers, copy editors, art directors, brand managers, etc. This fast-paced environment has been a positive influence on my area of study. It is both exciting and motivational to work with such confident and creative minds. At times there was a lot on my plate, but everyone was extremely willing to teach me when I needed help or lacked experience. Whenever I was struggling or had a question, there was always someone eager to help. The amount of experience I am taking away from this internship is truly invaluable.
Ellen DiPofi – Account Services Padawan
This summer I have been fortunate enough to have an account services internship with The Martin Group. I attend Niagara University where I study marketing, and gaining a first-hand look at the industry has been extremely valuable to my (hopefully!) future career.
I have primarily been working on New Era accounts as well as a non-for profit group, Caps for Kids. Throughout the summer I have been able to sit in on meetings, and see a lot of projects from New Era come to fruition, such as catalogs, web ads and posters. Since New Era is a global company, it was cool to see that a small local advertising agency is responsible for their ads all over the country. It has been very interesting to watch projects from start to finish, and to see the work and creativity that goes into taking a client’s vision and turning it into a reality.
Despite busy schedules, my Jedi, Brand Manager Scott Follett and Account Coordinator (and former Padawan!) Marilynn Militello were always willing to find time to explain something I did not understand, or to walk me through something I had never seen before. The personal involvement that The Martin Group puts into all their work makes this company unique, and something I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from this summer.
Britney Godfrey – Account Services Padawan
I first started interning at The Martin Group on the operations side of the agency last summer, in early May. My second internship began over my winter break from Niagara University that same year. Currently, I’m in my third stint as a Martin Group Padawan, this time on the account service side. While it may seem odd to some to carry on an internship at one place for so long, I think it simply speaks to how great it feels to be a part of the TMG team.
Sure, I had other internships while at school (three others in fact!), and I learned something valuable at each one. However, I never really enjoyed myself at any of them as much as I have here. In my opinion, the people at TMG are great, the energy is high, and the minds of the creative team are constantly churning out fantastic work. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to work with TMG Brand Manager (and Jedi Master) Julie Molenda on accounts for clients such as Evans Bank, ECMC, Delaware North Companies, Nardin Academy, 100 South, and PCI, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to work with many more in the future!
Miranda Roth – Design Padawan
Interning at The Martin Group this summer has been an exciting learning experience. I was a little nervous starting out, not knowing what to expect, or what was expected of me from Buffalo’s fastest-growing ad agency. However, my Jedi, Art Director Rebecca Awald and Creative Director Greg (Yoda) Meadows welcomed me with open arms and enabled me to be involved in everything happening at TMG. By attending creative traffic meetings every week, I got the inside scoop on many projects that were being worked on simultaneously. I quickly learned how an agency is organized and how teamwork and cooperation is extremely important to effectively complete a job.
Some of the projects I’ve been involved in include The Martin Group’s 10th Anniversary poster design, and the concept design for TMG’s 2011 holiday card. I’ve also worked on logo concept design, web design, page layout, file preparation, and photo retouching. I was even able to go on a press check of some TMG-designed print collateral with the project’s designer, Art Director James Neiler, to learn about offset printing. Through all these projects I have realized the importance of properly saving and organizing files and have toned up my skills in Creative Suite. Also, I have been able to sit in on and take part in concept meetings with the creative team. It’s exciting to see the thought processes of art directors, creative directors and designers that have had years of experience in the field.
I was made to feel like part of the team – and that included outside of the office. I was invited to be part of The Martin Group’s Corporate Challenge team, as I was able to take part in their 10th Anniversary celebration, including their 1st Annual Amazing Race! It was fun being able to get to know everyone better and see some of TMG’s history.
Thanks to my Daemen College recommending professor, Associate Professor and Graphic Arts Director Kevin Kegler, I’m going into my senior year a step ahead of the game, and I will use what I have learned as a Padawan in years to come. I am glad I have been able to meet and work with everyone at The Martin Group. Thank you for your insight and support!
Meg Tafelski – Account Services Padawan
My experience at The Martin Group began on June 1, 2011. As my junior year at Canisius College commenced, I was eager to earn some new experience within the Marketing realm. Earning credit for my class with Dr. Alan Weinstein, Ph.D., I had spent my previous summer at BlueCross BlueShield of WNY working 60+ hours a week and wearing almost every hat imaginable within their newly reconfigured Marketing department. It was stressful, to say the least. I did enjoy the rapid pace and creating multiple business relationships; however, I wanted to see what a smaller firm had to offer.
The Martin Group seemed like a great fit for me. I was impressed with the client base the company held for only having about 30 employees, and I was familiar with some of the work the firm had produced.
I had no idea what to expect on my first day or how to prepare myself. I was blown away with the relaxed atmosphere, the positive attitudes, and the warm welcome I received from everyone. It was also nice to see a few familiar faces both at TMG and at the New Era offices upstairs (only in Buffalo!).
My responsibilities began with assisting my Jedi, Brand Managers Melissa Skipper and Shannon Toughey. Their accounts include Orville’s Home Appliances, Greatbatch Medical, Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak, Tonawanda Pediatrics, L.H. Brubaker, Damon Morey, Hodgson Russ, Electrochem Solutions, and the list continues to grow.
One project I worked on that was of great interest to me was the environmental branding of the Greatbatch Medical Indianapolis facility. The Martin Group had done work with Greatbatch in the past, which aided in a seamless delivery of the finished product on their part. It was amazing to see how closely the brand managers, writers, creative directors, and designers work together and understand each other. I think this relationship is very unique to TMG and is the basis of the entire firm.
I was also assigned independent projects, including creating a formal account service training binder. It will be used by new hires as a tool exemplifying what is expected of a TMG employee, and by current employees as a reference guide. My work on the training binder was beneficial as it allowed me to comb through each individual process within the company.
I also worked on a subsidiary project currently being developed by The Martin Group’s President, Tod Martin, which focused on introducing “edgy” lacrosse-style tee shirts. This was one of the first projects I worked on at the agency and through it I learned how to write a creative brief properly, open a job, and put through changes. I am hoping to see this project move forward in the near future!
I have learned a tremendous amount through my experience at TMG. Along with growing my breadth of knowledge in the marketing field, I have developed some great relationships and have had a lot of fun. Between a 10-year anniversary party, “Amazing Race, TMG Style”, and multiple birthday cake celebrations, The Martin Group has proved to be an awesome agency with employees that really enjoy working together.
Jonathon Winston-Parson – Design Padawan
I’ve had the pleasure of interning at The Martin Group for the past six weeks this year, reprising my six-week internship last year. So, for a total of twelve weeks I’ve had the experience of working in a real-life advertising firm, and the experience has been educational and fun at the same time. I have had a number of projects that were given to me to complete. Most of them were in the software InDesign, which is like a creation workstation. These projects ranged from in-house phone lists and calendars to actual client projects.
I am very grateful for the opportunity that I was given by both Tod Martin and The Martin Group, and by the Buffalo Urban League through the Renaissance Foundation. Some of the people that I would like to thank for allowing me these opportunities are Mary Ross from the Renaissance Foundation, Brenda McDuffie from the Buffalo Urban League and TMG Vice President of Operations Matthew Malburg. The Jedi at the agency that I had the pleasure of working with this year are are Melissa Stevens, Rebecca Awald, Dave Riley, and Lianne Coogan. They were always available to answer any question that I may have had. So once again, I’m grateful for the opportunities that I have received this year.
