The ads and the arts

First steps into content

From the frying pan into the fires of freelance and agency life.

Straight out of college, Kaitlynn jumped right into an advertising internship. It felt like a good fit for what the available information indicated:

  • A fondness for understanding people and why they do what they do

  • A seemingly lucrative skill set in writing

  • A tendency to love creative projects of any kind

The work was interesting, the team and the culture were cool, but Kaitlynn didn’t receive an employment offer at summer’s end. So, turning an eye towards freelance and the arts, new opportunities came into focus.

Recycling and writing about art

For a brief span of time, in the heart of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, there existed a space for recycled arts materials and art events called JAM Art and Supply. For a good handful of months, Kaitlynn found herself sitting on the floor of the space with the owner of JAM,

  • sorting donations—which included everything from scrapbooking paper and sketchbooks to egg cartons and doll heads

    or out in the downtown community on a First Friday,

  • taking pictures of the gallery and music events

  • interviewing artists with shows that month

  • writing up a blog afterwards with a summary of the night.

Live music at a coffee shop

Besides occasionally facilitating a proposal, working at a coffee shop chain within Sioux Falls, South Dakota, afforded Kaitlynn the opportunity to work with local musicians and artists to organize and shows,

  • coordinating with local music groups

  • and a local graphic designer to create show posters

Which kept Friday nights busy for a while, since that was the coffee shop’s night to stay open late. It was a great time.

 

“The Eide Effect”

  • Role: Copywriter

  • Agency: vvi

  • Year: 2016

“BlackWing Builders”

An Addy-grabbing print and digital campaign.

  • Role: Copywriter, Junior Art Direction

  • Agency: vvi

  • Year: 2016