AAF Illinois

Andrea Martinez

SVP Management

Hey everyone! I'm Andrea, senior vice president of management this year. My job is to make sure AAF is running smoothly and that all committees are on task. As a senior majoring in advertising, I am very excited for what AAF has to offer this year!

Last year, I participated in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) on the media team and as a campaign presenter for the client, JCPenney. My experiences in AAF and NSAC gave me the opportunity to see a glimpse of how a real agency works. This past summer, I interned at Starcom MediaVest Group in Chicago as a media planner for Proctor & Gamble. Working at the agency allowed me to discover my passion for media planning and research as well as account management. My internship experience made my summer of one of the best yet, and I couldn't have landed the job without the help of AAF and NSAC!

In my spare time, I love to stay on top of the latest artists, music, and concerts. I am also an on-air personality on WPGU 107.1 for my specialty show called "Walk the Plank" which plays electronic, dubstep, and everything in between. I hope to one day be able to incorporate my love for music and passion for advertising into a career.

Feel free to reach out with any questions about AAF or internship advice!

Favorite Commercial: Old Spice - "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"

Carl Carbonell

SVP Fiance

Hey guys! I'm Carl and I'm a senior in Advertising and Sociology.

I am the Senior Vice President of Finance. I work closely with the President and SVP of Management organizing the largest AAF student chapter in the nation. I also handle all of AAF’s money. I am responsible for member dues and deciding how the club’s money is spent.

Past Experience: NSAC, Community Outreach and I attended every AAF Illinois event last year.

Internships: This past summer I had the opportunity to work at Killian Branding in Chicago. I worked closely with account executives, art directors, and copy writers on rebranding projects for various clients. I wrote proposals, sat in on client meetings, and researched/reported our clients’ search engine rankings to my team.

Outside of AAF, I enjoy listening to country music, watching Chicago and Illini sports and eating food. I have my select TV shows that I keep up with and I love watching subpar comedy movies.

If you have any questions about AAF, shoot me an email!

Favorite Commercial: Nike - "Free Yourself"

Jane Schumann

VP Social Programming

Jane Schumann is a senior studying Advertising and Sociology.

As the VP of Social Programming, Jane will forever have a countdown to the next AAF Barndance as well as the fun and exciting events that she and her committee will plan this year. From coffee hours to scavenger hunts, AAF is doing it all this year.

Past experience: EVP Digital Communications (Junior year), NSAC Regionals Chair (Junior year), involved in Community Outreach and, of course, attending every social event.

Internships: After studying abroad in the UK for the first part of the summer, Jane came back to a marketing internship with VerveLife, a music-marketing agency. Working with accounts like MillerCoors and Subway, Jane not only got to work on the account side of life, but she got to meet famous artists like VV Brown, Nick Jonas, and The Empires.

When Jane isn't working, you'll find her listening to music, finding the next place to travel, drinking Diet Dr. Pepper, and shopping around for her continuously growing collection of sunglasses.

Favorite Commercial: Volkswagen - "The Force"

Louise Zhang

Internal Communication

Hi! My name is Louise and I am currently a senior majoring in advertising and minoring in communication. I am this year's VP of Internal Communication and it is my goal to ensure that all members are constantly in the know. Last year I was a part of the NSAC team, creating the campaign for JCPenney. It was one of the most fun and unique experiences I've had in college thus far. This past summer I was an account management intern at Draftfcb in Chicago, working on the Motorola Mobility account. Being at a large agency was exhilarating and definitely helped me see where I want my career going in the future. Outside of my passion for advertising campaigns and brands, I love to travel, shop and watch movies. I am looking forward to a great year with AAF and if you have any questions, I am more than happy to help!

Favorite Commercial: Google Chrome - "Dear Sophie"

Lauren Welton

VP Digital Communications

Greetings, AAF! I'm Lauren, a junior in Advertising and Informatics and your vice president of Digital Communications. I manage AAF’s digital affairs, mostly by maintaing the AAF Illinois website, which you are on right now! Imagine that!

This is my third year in AAF, and my second on the executive board. Last year, I was able to oversee the Member Relations committee in its final year of life--may it rest in peace. I was responsible for all of those coffee hours, where we savagely took over Espresso Royale so we could all mingle for a bit. Those were some good times!

This past summer, I worked at Peapod’s corporate headquarters. I tore myself away from the free potato chips for a bit to do some some work with the branch that photographs products for marketing and e-commerce initiatives. I worked on advertising materials and did research on the different manufacturers, distributors, and brands that Peapod worked with on a regular basis.

Aside from AAF, I am a peer consultant at the Writers Workshop, so if anyone needs a bit of help with a paper, I’m your girl! I also choreograph musicals for the Illini Union Board and dance whenever I can. I’m becoming more and more interested in web design, so I’m also doing some work with it on the side, with my latest project being the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra website. When I’m not working, however, I like to read web comics and make movies about my plush unicorn, Sweet Yvonne, who might be the most darling thing in the entire world!

Favorite Commercial: Visa Olympics - "Strug"

John Buysse

VP NSAC

My name is John Buysse and I am currently the VP of the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team. I am a sophomore in Advertising with plans to minor in Sociology and/or Political Science. This summer I worked at a retail chain that sells college and professional sports merchandise. I like talking to anyone about anything, so if you’d like to discuss AAF, the industry in general or even 19th century French cinema – come talk to me! When I am not living and breathing NSAC I can most likely be found tweeting, chugging a large iced coffee or purposefully misusing the word “literally.”

Favorite Commercial: Coca-Cola - "Reasons to Believe in a Better World"

Jeffrey Etter

NSAC Coordinator

As the NSAC Coordinator, I will be one of 2 chairs leading the year long fully integrated marketing campaign to present at the regional competition in Detroit and hopefully nationals afterwards for this years client, Nissan. I am in charge of overseeing all operations from beginning to end of this campaign in what is, by far, the best real world experience you can get in AAF.

Past Experience: Account/Strategic Planner for NSAC (Junior year), Pro Bono (Freshman-Sophomore year), Barn dance survivor.

Internships: 2 summers ago I was the account management intern for a B2B advertising agency in Oakbrook, IL called David James Group and this summer I served as the marketing intern for McGraw-Hill Higher Education in Burr Ridge, IL. Both of these internships have taught me a lot about their respective industries and have reinforced that they are the coolest careers on the planet.

Personal interests: Ok enough business talk, other things I love to do are take road trips, root on all Chicago sports team (except the Sox) and tell the story about how Derrick Rose talked to me, we're pretty much best friends.

Favorite Commercial: Heineken - "Walk-In Fridge"

Ken Tsuchiya

MO Senior Consultant

Hi everyone. I'm currently a Senior with a dual degree in advertising and psychology. This year I will be a consultant and one of four members in charge of Midnight Oil advertising. Midnight Oil is a fantastic opportunity for talented and emerging members within AAF.

This will be my third year involved with Midnight Oil, a full service ad agency comprising solely of AAF students. This summer I interned at Ogilvy in Chicago on the account side. In my free time I'm usually skateboarding, teaching myself Japanese, or just trying to learn about new things.

Favorite Commercial: Honda - "Asimo"

Kristen Manias

MO Agency Coordinator

As one of the two agency coordinators for Midnight Oil Ad Agency, Kristen (along with Brian) will be working with our VP in setting up client meetings, strategizing solutions based on client needs, and allocating work throughout the agency, all while having SO much fun!

Past experience: Been a member of the Creative Team for Midnight Oil since sophomore year and a writer for the AdBuzz blog Junior year.

Kristen is on the U of I swim team, she is from Minnesota, loves listening to music and going to concerts!

Favorite Commercial: Subaru - "Baby Driver"

Hannah Hammer

OTH Community Coordinator

Hi AAF! My name is Hannah Hammer and I am On The House Community Coordinator! I am majoring in Advertising and minoring in Business. On The House is a great opportunity to give back to University organizations by designing advertisements pro-bono as well as gain experience! I will mostly work to maintain communication between committee members and help make sure voices are heard. Last year, I had the opportunity to work onthe NSAC team and OTH which allowed me to put my creative energies to use. I went abroad this past Winter Break in the Dominican Republic, studying neo-consumerism in emerging markets. This summer, I worked with Maxus as a Media Planning Intern where I got to work on accounts like TRESemme and Werther's Originals. I am slightly obsessed with food trucks, online shopping and Groupon. Feel free to ask me any questions, I look forward to meeting all of you!

Favorite Commercial: Intel - "Museum of Me"

Christie Ewing

VP Professional Development

Hi guys! My name is Christie Ewing, and I am a senior in advertising with a minor in business. I am from the small town of Streator, Illinois, but I like to think I'm a city girl at heart! AAF has been a fantastic experience in my college career--I have been involved with the Professional Development committee for the past three years, and I am excited to take on the role of VP this year! My advertising experience includes a strategic planning internship with G2 Promotional Marketing in downtown Chicago, and an executive internship with Target this past summer. You can usually find me drinking coffee, listening to country music, or watching movies--nothing beats The Sandlot! If you have any questions or are interested in Pro D, feel free to reach out to me anytime!

Favorite Commercial: Pepsi - "Santa Dancing"

Grant Whisler

External Communication

My name is Grant and I'm pumped to be a member of this exec board. I'm proudly from Palatine IL and I am a junior in Advertising. My job on this exec board is to handle all the relationships with nationals aka all the boring stuff (don't worry I plan on being in attendance at all the fun events too).

I spent the summer working in Sales at Robert Bosch in the automotive aftermarket, which was a really cool experience. When I'm not working or watching commercials for fun, you can find me running, playing golf or listening to country music. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Favorite Commercial: Geico - "Would Foghorn Leghorn Make a Really Bad Book Narrator?"

Amanda Nieman

VP Community Outreach

Current Position: VP of Community Outreach. My job is to think of as many ways as possible to give back to the community and to get involved with tons of philanthropic events both on and off campus.

I've been involved with AAF since my Freshman year, mainly with the Community Outreach Committee. I've worked with Salt and Light, The Crisis Nursery, Relay for Life, iHelp, and many other organizations.

Since the beginning of the summer, I've been the Street Team, Promotions and Marketing Coordinator at Illini Media Company. I help get the word out about Illini Media as well as plan events for local business.

In my free time, I really enjoy writing and spending time with my friends and family. I'm also a HUGE Chicago Bulls fan, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a season this year!

Favorite Commercial: Perrier - "Melt"

Monica Berhmann

Content Producer

Hi! I’m Monica. I’m a junior, majoring in Advertising and planning to minor in Communications. I’m the AAF Content Manager this year, so I design fliers and emails and make sure everything on the website is accurate. Last year I was involved in On the House, where I helped create ads for several RSOs, like Teachers for Creatures and Vietnamese Student Association, and greekillini.com. At the beginning of summer, I studied abroad in the UK. I also interned this summer at the first ever AAF AdCamp in Chicago, where high schoolers got to see what the world of advertising is all about through industry immersions, guest speakers from agencies, and creating a campaign. I love graphic design, and I am the assistant design editor of the Illio Yearbook. I also love reading magazines, shopping and going to concerts.

Favorite Commercial: E*TRADE - "Tailor"

Kristen Gray

Social Programming Coordinator

Hey, I’m Kristen. I’m a junior in advertising with two minors in French and communications. This year I’ll be putting together all of AAF’s social events, proving once again we have more fun than any other club on campus. Last year I was involved in the event management committee and was named Sophomore of the Year. I spent the first month of summer in Italy with the advertising study abroad program and came home to intern with Ad Camp Chicago. A few of my favorite things are reading, travelling, and watching How I Met Your Mother.

Favorite Commercial: Allstate - "Raccoon Mayhem"

Brian O'Leary

MO Agency Coordinator

What's up? My name is Brian O’Leary, and I am a junior studying Advertising and minoring in Informatics. Last year in AAF, I was a member of the Midnight Oil team serving as a creative. This year, I will overlook Midnight Oil as an Agency Coordinator focusing on creative direction. I’ve recently started working at Illini Media in the Creative Works department as an ad designer, and also pick up some freelance design/video work every now and then. Other then that, I enjoy geeking out over movies, dancing around at concerts, tweeting, and Mario Kart.

Favorite Commercial: Miller High Life - "Living the High Life"

Michelle Francisco

Multicultural Coordinator

Year: Sophomore

Major: Advertising

Position: Multicultural Coordinator (To promote diversity and involvement in the fields of media and advertising on campus and in communities)

AFF Involvement: Member last year in the multicultural and digital committee

Internships: Interned last summer at The San Jose Group in Production and Special Services

Interests: Taking pictures, traveling, and sleeping in a cold room under tons of blankets

Favorite Commercial: Old Spice - "The Man Your Man Can Smell Like"

Monika Dobrowolski

Professional Development Coordinator

Monika Dobrowolski

Junior

Major: Advertising

Minors: Business and Spanish

Past Experience with AAF: Event Management Committee

Internships: AdCamp and Chevrolet Campus Promotions

Personal Interests: I love traveling and meeting new people! I like to spend my time hanging out with friends and just relaxing.

Favorite Commercial: Coca-Cola - "World Cup 2010"

Joe Walsh

VP On The House

Hey! My name is Joe Walsh and I am currently the VP of On the House. On the House does probono advertising for RSO's around campus and is always looking for talented, new members! This year I am a Senior, studying Advertising and minoring in Communication. Over summer I had an internship at The Richards Group in Dallas, Texas where I worked as a brand management intern (I was the winner of the AAF Stickell Internship Award in 2011 and was partnered with The Richards Group through the program). Outside of the advertising world, I enjoy hanging out with friends, hiking, and trying new things!

Favorite Commercial: Bridgestone - "Beaver"

Liz Tucci

Community Outreach Coordinator

Hi guys! My name is Liz Tucci and I am a senior in advertising. As the Community Outreach Coordinator, I am so excited to help AAF members get involved with local organizations and give back to our community. I have been in AAF for the past three years, and last year my experience as a media strategist on the NSAC team further developed my planning skills, helping me earn my summer internship. I spent the summer at Mindshare as a Media Planning intern on the Abbott Nutrition account. Outside of advertising, some of my interests include tailgating with friends and family, classic rock music, Italian food, and watching football. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Favorite Commercial: Google - "Parisian Love"

Diana Lee

VP Multicultural Programming

Hey AAF! I am Diana. I am a sophomore, majoring in Advertising. I am this year’s VP of Multicultural Programs, and this year we are looking forward to expanding AAF to multiple student organizations on campus. We will be working on advertising for different organizations and sharpening our creative skills even more! In the past I have been involved with event management, On The House, and was one of the digital liaison for Digital committee! This past summer I went to the UK for an awesome branding and advertising experience with the advertising program! I absolutely love traveling, playing tennis, swimming, skiing, and of course, looking at the living art of fashion a.k.a shopping! I look forward to a great year! If you any questions, feel free to contact me!

Favorite Commercial: Coca-Cola - "It's Mine"

Kristen Radomski

VP Midnight Oil

Kristen is a senior studying Advertising, Business, and Art History.

As VP of Midnight Oil, Kristen is responsible for keeping AAF’s full service student run agency running smoothly, managing all clients as well as the account and creative team members!

Past Experience: VP Midnight Oil (Junior), Creative Team Member MO (Sophomore), AWNY (Freshman-Junior)

Internships: Kristen spent an exciting summer in Chicago as a media planning intern at Starcom MediaVest Group, working primarily on the Famous Footwear account. Kristen also had the opportunity to contribute to Burger King, National Pork Board and contributed research to several new business pitches.

Personal Interests: When she is not watching Food Network, Kristen can be spotted running, reading, golfing or planning her next travel adventure: She is three continents away from meeting her goal of visiting all seven (including Antarctica) before age 30!

Favorite Commercial: Pure Michigan Fall - "Harvest Time"

Hannah Ryan

Digital Community Manager

Hannah Ryan is a sophomore studying Advertising and Communications.

As the Digital Community Coordinator of AAF, Hannah gets to run the Facebook and Twitter pages to keep everyone updated on what’s going on with AAF and the College of Media!

Past experience with AAF: Hannah got an excellent opportunity to do National Student Advertising Competition last year and looks forward to doing more with AAF at Illinois.

Internships: Hannah got the chance to help work the first ever AdCamp last summer. She got to show a group of high schoolers why Advertising is such a great industry to go into as well as everything the University of Illinois has to offer its students.

When Hannah gets some free time she’ll be catching up on Tosh.0, listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or going to the Illini Inn or Brother’s to catch up with some good friends.

Favorite Commercial: HP ePrint - "Happy Baby"

Maria Stuckel

VP New Initiatives

Hi, I’m Maria, but I also respond to Stuckel, Stucks, or Stuckie (unfortunately). Born and raised in Chicago, I am currently a senior Advertising major with a double minor in Communications and Italian. After being a loyal member of AAF for three years now, I am ready to take on my position as VP Initiatives for the 2011-2012 school year. The Illinois chapter of AAF is currently the largest chapter nation wide, and I may be biased, but I think we are also the BEST chapter. My job is to keep it this way by not only bringing new ideas and new opportunities to the table, but by making them happen. I did not have an internship this past summer, but I did study abroad in Rome through the ADV 399 program and would highly recommend students to look into that! The experience sparked my interest in international advertising, and I plan to go that direction after graduation. Oh god, the thought of venturing out into the real world depresses me. So, I plan to cater to my “senioritis” and have as much fun as possible this last year! AAF barndance anyone?

Favorite Commercial: Snickers - "Get Dunked On by Patrick Chewing"

Wen Deng

OTH Agency Coordinator

Hi everyone! I'm Wen Deng and I'm a senior studying Advertising and Psychology.

Current Position: Agency Coordinator of On the House. I am responsible for the communication between On the House team leaders and the clients. The past one-year experience in On the House can better help me to assist the team leaders and create new bonding events within the committee.

Past Experience with AAF: On the House Team Leader, Professional Development Committee Member

Internships: I interned at Ogilvy Beijing after my sophomore year in Account Planning department. And this summer I interned at the Media Planning department in Mullen, Boston. Those two internships allow me to compare different working culture in ad agencies between China and America and between media and account planning department. I am currently working as a marketing intern at CU Asian Times, a local newspaper targeting Asian audience in Champaign Urbana.

Personal Interests: I love watching horror movie, dancing and just playing with animals :P

Favorite Commercial: Motorola Xoom - "Empower the People"

Kyle Goethals

President

I'm Kyle Goethals, a senior majoring in Advertising and minoring in Business. Last year, I was the VP of Recruitment and heavily involved in NSAC. This year I'm the President of AAF and responsible for making sure all parts of the organization run smoothly. I also deal with a lot of emails, which is great, because I love emails. Got a question about AAF? Send me an email, I'll love it.

But there is more to me than AAF. I'm from La Grange, IL (Lyons Township High School), and this past summer I interned at Mindshare in Chicago. On campus, I work part-time at Ikenberry Dining Hall and FlatTop Grill as a server. I also am on Illinois Club Baseball team, play piano, and am notoriously self conscious about how my hair looks a majority of the time.

If you ever see me around campus, stop me and say hi...I can promise you a free high-five if you do.

Favorite Commercial: Cheetos - "Fort"

Lauren Feingold

Philanthropy Coordinator

HELLO AAF-ers! My name is Lauren Feingold and I’m the Philanthropy Coordinator for Community Outreach this year. I can’t wait for you to get involved in the committee so we can put the fun in fundraising : ) and come up with the best volunteering events our chapter has ever seen!

In case you’re curious – I am a sophomore studying the wonderful field of advertising. Chicago is my hometown (Wrigleyville area – Go Cubs!), and I went to Walter Payton College Prep High School. AAF is THE COOLEST club on campus, and provides so many opportunities for students. Last year, I spent my time working on an On The House team but also attended every AAF event possible – from coffee hours to guest lecturer events to social events. Other than being in AAF, I’m a College of Media Peer Mentor and am a member of Illini Media Street Team. I am also on Hillel Leadership Board as Philanthropy Chair and am involved in Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority.

Fun facts: I enjoy trying new or fancy foods, juggling, watching funny commercials, playing piano, camping (despite my arachnophobia) and conversing in Ubbi-Dubbi. I am obsessed with the show Cake Boss and also love reliving my childhood by watching Boy Meets World episodes. On a more serious note, I like to chat with anyone about anything, so if you ever have any questions about AAF (or life) feel free to ask me. Thubank yubou!

Favorite Commercial: Samsung Infuse 4G - "Spider"