American Advertising Federation Increases Honorees For Most Promising Minority Students Program - www.aaf.org ; The Premier Student Minority Recruiting Program Increases by 28 Percent

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) Most Promising Minority Students program is boldly increasing its honorees list by 28 percent, providing even more hiring solutions for corporations eager to broaden the diversity of their workforce. Despite the caution toward increased hiring expressed by corporate leaders in recent polls, more and more companies are calling for viable minority talent. The AAF is responding by sending 32 of the best and brightest minority advertising students, an increase from its previous 25, to New York City, February 12-13, 2004 to benefit from this unique program.

WASHINGTON, DC (PRWEB) February 2, 2004 --The American Advertising Federation (AAF) Most Promising Minority Students program is boldly increasing its honorees list by 28 percent, providing even more hiring solutions for corporations eager to broaden the diversity of their workforce. Despite the caution toward increased hiring expressed by corporate leaders in recent polls, more and more companies are calling for viable minority talent. The AAF is responding by sending 32 of the best and brightest minority advertising students, an increase from its previous 25, to New York City, February 12-13, 2004 to benefit from this unique program.

"We've increased the student honorees not only because of the wealth of talent among upcoming graduates, but to assist our members in meeting their recruitment needs," said AAF president and CEO Wally Snyder.

According to a 2003 study by the AAF, an overwhelming majority of industry leaders acknowledge that multiculturalism and diversity have become more important with recent shifts in U.S. demographics. The Most Promising Minority Students program, managed by the AAF Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism and now in its eighth year, builds a multicultural advertising workforce by connecting recruiters with advertising students that demonstrate excellence. Finalists travel to Madison Avenue to gain valuable insight from executives from leading agencies, advertisers and media companies, in addition to interviewing with top advertising industry companies. These graduating college seniors represent 25 colleges (see full list attached).

This year will also feature an industry immersion program, in which students will experience firsthand the corporate environments of participating sponsors such as ESPN/ABC Sports and the Interpublic Group of Companies. This will provide the students with the most comprehensive learning experience possible and will provide a practical perspective on the industry.

This year's presiding luncheon chair is Frank Cooper, vice president-multicultural marketing & development, Pepsi-Cola North America. The luncheon co-chair is Elicia Greenberg, director of marketing, The Ad Age Group. Pepsi Cola Company is the principal underwriter and American Airlines is the official airline. Other sponsors (to date) include ABC-Television Network, Advertising Age, Campbell Ewald, Knight Ridder, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Verizon Communications, BBDO, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., Meredith Corporation, The New York Times, Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, Cleveland Advertising Association Education Foundation, USA TODAY and ESPN ABC Sports.

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As the "Unifying Voice for Advertising" the American Advertising Federation (AAF) headquartered in Washington, DC, with a Western Region office in Newport Beach, California, is the trade association that represents 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. AAF's 130 corporate members are advertisers, agencies and media companies that comprise the nation's leading brands and corporations. AAF has a national network of 210 ad clubs and connects the industry with an academic base through its 210 college chapters. For more information, visit the AAF's award-winning web site at www.aaf.org.

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AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION'S
MOST PROMISING MINORITY STUDENTS
2004 FINALISTS - 32 STUDENTS FROM 25 UNIVERSITIES

Student, School, Hometown

Anthony Alvarez, Syracuse University, Rockaway, NJ

Jessica R. Andelora, George Washington University, Hamburg, NY

Colie Blake, IV, Marquette University, Chicago, Ill.

Alexander Brown, Georgia College & State University, Warner Robins, Ga.

Stephanie Clark, Creighton University, La Vista, Neb.

Elene Flores Davidson, Washington State University, Mill Creek, Wash.

Leila M. Fernandes, George Washington University, So. Charleston, W. Va.

Erika Lindsey Goodrich, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

Kimberly M. Greuel, University of Oklahoma, Muskegee, Okla.

Ana Gutierrez, Pepperdine University, Littlerock, Calif.

Joseph Herndon III, Johnson & Wales University, Lexington, SC

Andrew Horng, University of Illinois, Glenview, Ill.

Anne Hwang, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Vanessa Katz, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii

Dennise J. Lopez, Baruch College, Corona, NY

Sarah C. McGriff, Loyola University-New Orleans, Dallas, Texas

Tiffany H. Mitsui , Syracuse University, Honolulu, Hawaii

Jessica Moreland, University of Maryland, Mitchelville, Md.

Lauren R. O'Neal, Howard University, Tinton Falls, NJ

Akanyetsang Panzo, Paine College, Augusta, Ga.

Dwenya Peorini Pouncy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.

Laura Kathleen Rackley, Howard University, Kansas City, Mo.

Maria Real, University of Oklahoma, Moore, Okla.

Tatiana C. Rios, Baruch College, Brooklyn, NY

Joseph A. Rockhill, Jr., Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

Stephanie Santoso, University of Virgina, Wexford, Pa.

Cieja Shea Springer, Howard University, New York, NY

LaToya A. Stirrup, Florida State University, Miami, Fla.

Tanya M. Sweetie, Long Island University, St. Albans, NY

Arundhati Tankhiwale, University of Florida, Orlando, Fla.

Toni Thompson, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Alicia Worthy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

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Contact:
Lynne Scott Jackson, Millynneum, Inc.
212.560.9300 or millynneum@aol.com

Mary Hilton, American Advertising Federation (AAF)
202.371.2306 or mhilton@aaf.org

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