Innovation Challenge

I was told to brace myself these next few weeks for Innovation Challenge. Two weeks of pure torture. Graded, of course.

Teams of four people--comprising of a creative strategist (CS), a creative brand manager (CBM), a copywriter (CW) and an art director (AD)--will go up and be expected to hold ground against MBA candidates from the likes of Harvard and Darden (UVA).

Problem 1: What arsenal does an AD have to counter an MBA in an MBA's territory?

Problem 2: Competing against UVA, especially when their Commerce grad. program is so highly ranked.

**Problem 3: I miss SLEEPING even more.

The Countdown

The 100+ days have now dwindled to mere a mere fourteen as another summer comes to a close. The countdown began mid-April, when a pert envelope arrived at my doorstep boldly stamped "AdCenter."

Also known as Mass Communications branch of VCU's graduate program in Richmond, Ad Center provides 60 weeks of intensive, real-world education for future advertising professionals (http://adcenter.vcu.edu). Incidentally, it was rated #1 ad school in Creative Magazine, and also the only program that I had applied for--completion of the application cost worthwhile 4 months of forsaking all but 3 hours of sleep each day.

In exchange for going broke, I will:

• have an irresistible portfolio
• be better educated to succeed in the competitive world of advertising
• have extensive industry contacts
  
• have had the guidance of amazing instructors
• have befriended equally talented and passionate classmates
• have known why sleep-deprivation is an effective method of torture