{"id":104275,"date":"2025-02-03T13:10:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T18:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adpr.utk.edu\/?p=104275"},"modified":"2025-02-03T13:10:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T18:10:31","slug":"tombras-school-celebrates-30-years-of-networking-trips-to-new-york-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/adpr\/2025\/02\/03\/tombras-school-celebrates-30-years-of-networking-trips-to-new-york-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Tombras School Celebrates 30 Years of Networking Trips to New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"
For 30 years, the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations has provided students with invaluable networking trips to New York City. These experiences offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals and include tours of various agencies and departments.<\/p>\n
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This year, 40 students\u201420 each from advertising and public relations\u2014visited notable companies including Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, CashApp, IBM, Edelman NYC, Omnicom, and Tombras NYC. During the trip, students had the chance to connect with industry leaders and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumni living in the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Students and Alumni in Public Relations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Students following the public relations track visited the Museum of Public Relations, CashApp (Block, Inc.), IBM, Edelman NYC, Tombras, and Omnicom.<\/p>\n
Marin Snead, a public relations senior, is in her third year at UT. She previously participated in the Tombras School\u2019s networking trip to Atlanta and also wanted to experience the New York trip so she could compare the two cities\u2019 professional environments.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI thought the work being done in Atlanta was much more in-depth,\u201d she explained. \u201cIn Atlanta, we got a lot more case studies, while in New York the focus was on what it\u2019s like to work in the city. Living in New York adds a unique layer to the experience, whereas Atlanta was centered around specific PR campaigns.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Snead\u2019s favorite visit during the trip was to Omnicom, which provided extensive insights into the companies the global marketing communications firm works with, such as MMC, FleischmanHillard, and Porter Novelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved hearing from FleischmanHillard and Porter Novelli. They represent the track I want to pursue, focusing on big business PR. I found the case study they did for The Almond Board of California particularly fascinating,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Snead aspires to work in New York someday and is drawn to its vibrant arts scene and public relations opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be in New York because I love theater and am obsessed with the arts. It\u2019s the arts capital of the world, and it\u2019s where the best PR opportunities are. It may be expensive, but it\u2019s an incredible place to live,\u201d she said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
Christie Sithiphone, who graduated from UT in 2009 with a public relations degree, is currently the vice president of inclusion and engagement at MMC. She was excited to bring students to Omnicom\u2019s corporate office.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s an honor and a privilege to have the students visit Omnicom, one of the world\u2019s largest marketing communications holding companies. We have the opportunity to showcase our firm, work, and culture, which is incredibly exciting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Sithiphone, who is based in Atlanta, believes it\u2019s important for students to visit such significant places as they explore their career options.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI think it\u2019s wonderful, especially for students to come to a city like New York where there are numerous opportunities. They can meet executives from various companies. The industry is so vast and being able to learn about the differences between in-house and agency work, particularly in New York \u2014the hub of everything\u2014is a fantastic opportunity,\u201d Sithiphone added.<\/p>\n
Madison Foshie is a junior studying public relations. Although she has visited the Tombras Agency in Knoxville, she hasn\u2019t had much exposure to other public relations agencies. Foshie believes that comparing the various types of agencies will be beneficial in her search for a job after graduation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSeeing a PR agency in action helped me reflect on whether this is truly the career path I want to pursue. I enjoy public relations, but I think many students go through a sort of midlife crisis before graduating, questioning if this is really what they want to do. This visit opened my eyes and reassured me that this is a field I can see myself in,\u201d Foshie said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Foshie said she connected with some of the work IBM is doing and enjoyed learning about the company\u2019s partnerships. She said the iconic technology company has an atmosphere where she could envision herself working.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved meeting with Brandi Boatner, the manager of digital and advocacy communications at IBM. She was so funny and genuine,\u201d Foshie stated.<\/p>\n
Foshie loved seeing the differences between Tennessee and New York and the trip allowed her to imagine what living in the bigger city might be like. After visiting various agencies each day, Foshie made a point to visit landmarks and see some shows.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in Knoxville, so it\u2019s just very different here, and I enjoyed that. I loved navigating through the city, exploring all the historical sites, and attending Broadway shows,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Students and Alumni in Advertising<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Students in advertising visited Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, VaynerMedia, McCann, Orchard, Tombras-NYC, and Publicis Groupe.<\/p>\n
Alumna Hayley Howell (\u201916) is an account director at GS&P, where she has worked on numerous nationally recognized projects. Currently, she manages the account for Zaxby\u2019s, one of several national brands that collaborate with GS&P. Howell has been based in New York for several years and was grateful to have the opportunity to meet with students.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to have my alma mater come to visit,\u201d she expressed. \u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve had the chance to host, so it\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s fun to see the students arrive so eager and enthusiastic to learn and explore the industry. As someone who moved from the South to New York\u2014not immediately after graduating, but a couple of years later\u2014I\u2019m proud of my journey, and I\u2019m thrilled to be a part of this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Howell encourages students who go on these types of networking trips to ask questions and figure out not only what kind of work they wish to pursue, but also what companies they can see themselves working at.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope they recognize that, as we discussed, each agency is unique yet we share many similarities. It\u2019s important to find a culture that aligns with your needs and what you\u2019re looking for. Advertising can be fun and challenging, and no two days are the same,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Connor Durso is a junior at UT majoring in advertising with minors in graphic design and business administration. Originally from Westchester, NY, Durso saw the trip as the perfect opportunity to experience New York City through a professional lens.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOne of the most eye-opening parts of the trip was visiting agencies of all sizes and learning about the key differences between them. It helped me understand the fast-paced, creative environment of the industry in a whole new way,\u201d he stated. \u201cMy favorite visit was to VaynerMedia, where I was impressed by the agency\u2019s culture. From the moment we walked in, the energy was palpable. What stood out to me was how VaynerMedia fosters creativity and collaboration while producing high-quality work. Their emphasis on innovation and a positive work culture left a lasting impression, and it made me realize how important it is to find a workplace that values both professional growth and personal well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As someone passionate about advertising, Durso knew the trip would offer invaluable insights into the industry and give him the chance to make real-world connections. The trip also taught him how to be adaptable and network effectively in the fast-paced advertising world. Navigating challenges and building genuine relationships proved to be just as crucial as the technical skills learned in school.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cLooking ahead, I plan to move back to New York after graduation and pursue a job with a large agency. I\u2019m eager to leverage the experiences and connections I\u2019ve made at UT to find opportunities in advertising that align with my passion. My advice to anyone hesitant to apply for this trip would be to take the leap; it\u2019s a hands-on experience that can\u2019t be replicated in the classroom. Be open to every moment, whether it\u2019s exploring new places, meeting industry professionals, or simply soaking in the city. You\u2019ll get so much more out of it if you stay engaged and curious,\u201d Durso said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Overall the trip was an incredible experience that Durso will carry with him throughout his career. He is grateful for everything he learned and excited to bring those insights back to his studies and future work in the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy time in Tennessee has been a rewarding journey, and the NYC trip was certainly a highlight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
30 Years of Making the Real World Into Your Classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The faculty and staff of the Tombras School are grateful to the alumni and friends who helped make this experience the best possible for the students. This trip would not have been possible without the connections established by the College of Communication and Information, as well as the faculty and staff of the Tombras School, over the past 32 years (Note: the Tombras School missing the opportunity for the trip in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic). If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Tombras School\u2019s networking trips, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![\"Public](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/adpr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/PR-students-at-IBM-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Marin](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Marin-Snead-at-Edelman-NYC-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Christie](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Christie-Sithiphone-and-PR-students-at-Omnicom-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Madison](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Madison-Foshie-at-Omnicom-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Alumna](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alumna-Hayley-Howell-with-studenrs-at-Alumni-Reception-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Connor](\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Connor-Durso-and-other-ad-students-at-GSP-1024x683.jpg\")
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