DDB

Intern
Be Interested
Be Curious
Be Smart
Chronicling the Account Services Internship of a BCIT Marketing Communications student at
DDB Canada, Vancouver.
The Yellow Internship Papers
Volume 1 - 2014
1
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
MORE THAN AN INTERNSHIP
2
TRACKS TO SUCCESS
TIPS FOR THE INTERN
3
CEO PROFILE
FRANKLY ABOUT FRANK
4
LINE OF BUSINESS
BETWEEN FLOORS
6
ON THE JOB
BCIT TO INDUSTRY
8
10 QUESTIONS
ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR
10
AGENCY LIFE
FUN TIMES AT DDB
16
ADVICE FOR THE ROOKIE
SARA CAISSIE & ELISABETH SZABO
17
LESSONS
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS
18
SAFETY
WORK HAZARDS
19
GEAR
OWN IT
20
FROM THE ARCHIVES
IDEAS IN FLIGHT
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
LINDA NGUYEN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ACCOUNT SERVICES INTERN
MORE THAN
AN
INTERNSHIP
Starting mid-March was a nine week long Account Services internship at DDB Canada’s Vancouver
location. It was an enriching experience, working in an agency and learning from some of the best in
the industry. Now at the end, this issue of The Yellow Internship Papers is a reflection of an intern’s
journey at DDB.
Right when I received my internship
package from BCIT, I felt panicked
and not at all excited. Everyone
seemed eager to start applying and
seemed to know exactly which
positions they wanted. I stormed into
a teacher’s office with the intention of
figuring out which position would be
most suitable for me. After a series of
case studies, projects, and
presentations, I stepped back to ask
myself, “What IS Marketing?”
With much deliberation over each
job description in the internship
booklet and combing agency and
client websites, I remembered what
was said during the BCIT industry
tour at DDB Canada’s Vancouver
office. “Be interested. Be curious.
Be smart.” Everyone at the agency
reiterated how nice all their
colleagues were, Sara Caissie and
Elisabeth Szabo spoke of a
mentorship styled internship, but
most importantly, the campaigns and
description of ShareValue on the
DDB website excited me.
During my interview, I couldn’t
convey enough how much I wanted
the internship at DDB. I basically
regurgitated the company’s website.
My fan girl enthusiasm didn’t scare
off Sara and Elisabeth and I was in!
My first few weeks at DDB were
thrilling as I got to experience the
legendary Hot Dog Day and 45th
Anniversary of DDB Canada. It felt
like champagne and cake every day.
Reception was a little stressful, and
then the real work started in my
weakest areas – Excel and Finance
(on a Mac!). Some weeks were
better than others, but the one thing
which remained constant were the
friendly and helpful interactions I was
fortunate to engage in each day.
DDB really is full of nice and
smart people. I remember witnessing
the creative development process: a
team flushing out ideas under what
seemed like an impossible deadline,
only to see their clever deliverables
the next day. Everyone has an
incredible eye for detail and bits of
insights to share. You truly can learn
something every day from simply
being in the same room with the
people at DDB.
It has been a pleasure being an
intern at DDB, and The Yellow
Internship Papers is a chronicle of
that time.
The Yellow Internship Papers 1
LINE OF BUSINESS
KARACTERS DESIGN
GROUP
The design and strategic
branding group is a division
of DDB Canada. They work
closely with the creative group
at the Vancouver offices.
Some of their work includes
Canadian Pacific Magazine
for Canadian Pacific and The
Globe Newsletter for Ledcor.
This team has their own
creative & strategy
department, project managers,
designers, and studio artists.
CREATIVES
This group develops and
creates the art and copy which
accompany marketing
materials and campaigns.
Their work is usually the most
visually prominent in
advertising. Creative teams
consists of creative directors,
writers, art directors,
designers, illustrators, and
copywriters.
STRATEGY &
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT
Marketing requires research
and insights to better
understand consumer
behaviours for the
development of relevant
marketing strategies and
positioning. The innovative
thinkers of this group consists
of strategic planners, digital
strategists, and research &
insights.
16 Floor
th
BETWEEN
FLOORS
Welcome to 777 Hornby
Street, the location of DDB
Canada, Vancouver. This
office has produced
marketing materials and
campaigns for major
clients such as the
Canadian Tourism
Commission, Strategic Milk
Alliance, Subaru, Nordstrom,
BCAA, Canadian Pacific, and
Ledcor.
The 16th and 17th floors
house all the people who
keep the agency running dayin and day-out.
4 The Yellow Internship Papers
MANAGEMENT
There are only two people in
the top tier group of the
agency, Frank Palmer, the
Chairman and CEO of DDB
Canada, and Lance Saunders,
Executive VP Managing
Director of DDB Canada’s
Vancouver office.
PUBLIC
RELATIONS
The Corporate
Communications Director is in
charge of communicating key
DDB Canada and its
integrated business groups’
messaging across various
media internally, locally,
regionally, and nationwide.
LINE OF BUSINESS
PRODUCTION &
STUDIO
Brilliant ideas without
execution do not manifest to
anything. The production and
studio teams handle the
fulfillment, type, and assembly
of projects. This team consists
of directors of production,
producers, broadcast
producers, and assembly
teams.
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
When the printer jams or
computers programs are down,
the IT team comes to the
rescue. Always quick to follow
through, this department is
essential for accessing,
retrieving, storing, and sharing
information.
HUMAN
RESOURCES
Run by the Director of
Human Resources, this person
is responsible for managing
organizational policies and
procedures.
17 Floor
th
ACCOUNTING &
FINANCE
OFFICE & EXECUTIVE
MANAGEMENT
The gatekeepers to the office
who keep the office running
smoothly and stocked with
beer and coffee are the
operations manager, executive
assistant to the CEO & EVP,
and Receptionist & Office
Coordinator.
No one gets paid until it goes
through the accounting and
financing department. This
department manages the
financials for the agency such
as expense forms, timesheets,
opening and closing dockets,
approving purchase orders,
and going over estimate and
invoices.
BRAND INTEGRITY
GROUP
Also known as BIG, this group
plays an integral part in
keeping the client happy with
the agency. The BIG
communicates the needs of
the client to internal teams
and vendors during the
creative and production
process. The big consists
of the VP Director of Client
Services, VP Business
Director, managing director,
account directors, account
supervisors, account
executives, and account
coordinators.
The Yellow Internship Papers 5
ON THE JOB
BCIT
TO
INDUSTRY
The teachers at BCIT like to talk about equipping their
students with “toolkits” for the real world.
Before Linda Nguyen, a Marketing Communications
student from BCIT, left for her internship at DDB, she
crossed her fingers and hoped this magical toolkit
would materialize. Being organized, it was a nuisance
not being able to do a quick inventory list of which
items she possessed and which items to look for.
After nine weeks at DDB, the toolbox quest is over
and Linda is able to make her list.
The desk of Linda Nguyen, from which most days were a blur.
Client one
- Updated internal Tumblr
- Updated company contact information
- Miscellaneous research
client two
- Prepared estimates for CSR
initiative project
- Contacted vendors for quotes
- Couriered packages
Miscellaneous
- Attended full day commercial shoot
- Planned Superhero Hot Dog Day
- Assisted in planning ‘Retreat on the
Cheap’ for creative team
6 The Yellow Internship Papers
- Observed client meetings
- Helped ‘Prank Frank’ by stuffing his
office with balloons
- Filled in for reception
ON THE JOB
The majority of the internship was spent
working on the production of Client Three’s
magazine, under the Karacters Design Group.
Billings
- Placed docket requests
- Purchased orders
- Requested vendor quotes
- Prepared estimates
- Prepared invoices
- Updated budget control report
Project Management
- Prepared simple workback
- Updated status reports
- Organized creative assets and server folders
- Tracked and relayed project updates
between client and production teams
Miscellaneous
- Arranged internal status update meetings
with production team
- Attended photo shoot
- Couriered packages
Linda Nguyen, figuring out a BCR.
The Yellow Internship Papers 7
AGENCY LIFE
FUN TIMES AT DDB
When you work hard, you get to play hard. The benefits of working in an agency is that you get to
work on a lot of projects while having a blast.
10 The Yellow Internship Papers
AGENCY LIFE
My first glimpse of the marketing legend,
Frank Palmer.
DDB
Canada
45th
Anniversary
Testing out the Prank for Frank.
Prank by colleague on the same day,
April Fools.
The Yellow Internship Papers 11
AGENCY LIFE
Superhero
Hot Dog
Day
14 The Yellow Internship Papers
AGENCY LIFE
Caught “being an intern” by Lance Saunders
CAUGHT
(NOT) ON
THE JOB
The Yellow Internship Papers 15
ADVICE FOR THE ROOKIE
ADVICE FOR THE
ROOKIE
Sara Caissie and Elisabeth Szabo are two of DDB’s Account Executives in the BIG. With first-hand
experience as former DDB interns, they know what it is like to be new to DDB and have kept it close to
heart while shaping DDB Vancouver’s internship program. The two ladies are always smiling and have
made it a comfortable environment to ask, “Where is the print button?” and, “I was told this is a BCR,
what does that mean?” Together, they have handled intern crises from Tuesday to Thursday, making
the DDB internship program one of the most highly sought after at BCIT.
DDB PEOPLE ARE NICE PEOPLE
According to Sara and Elisabeth, it is all about the right attitude. DDB likes
to hire “nice people” to be a good fit for the company. Being friendly, genuine
and humble are all things which makes you a good fit. In addition, a friendly
demeanour and possessing a positive aura which draws people in, will make
you successful at DDB, and in the future.
SARA CAISSIE
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
During the internship program, you have a very short period of time to gain
trust. The ability to gain trust and develop good rapport quickly will lead to
increased responsibilities and more opportunities to be involved in projects.
The work is integrated and there is a lot of teamwork involved. “Displaying
hardwork and trustworthiness is essential,” says Sara.
LIFE AFTER A DDB INTERNSHIP
It is important to network and use your position as someone new to the
business to call up industry professionals for informational interviews. Make a
list of goals to accomplish everyday while seeking employment opportunities,
but do not let it take over your life. What is necessary is a strong work ethic,
positive attitude, and friendly demeanor. With these qualities, Elisabeth
believes, “You’ll land on your feet no matter what. I guarantee it.”
ELISABETH SZABO
16 The Yellow Internship Papers
SAFETY
WORK HAZARDS
Every work space environment has its hidden dangers. Do not be fooled by the absence of
hard hats and steel toed boots. Even the office environment contains its share of sharp
corners and pointy objects.
STAPLER
Beware of the automatic stapler, it never staples in the desired place. The staple may retaliate when being
removed from its new home, drawing blood from a finger, or two. You have been warned.
SWIPE CARD
The swipe card enables access to the 17th Floor, the floor storing all the creative minds and ideas of DDB.
Managing clearance to the Creative floor is essential, but entering the stairwell without it will leave you
stuck. In case of emergency, you are either faced with the walk of shame to the 14th Floor, or knock on the
16th Floor door in hopes that someone (an intern) will hear your desperate pleas.
PRINTER
All those strange beeping noises on the BIG are coming from the printer. Maybe it wants attention, maybe
it is hungry? The printer never says what it really wants. When it tells you that one tray is empty, it actually
means that all of its trays are empty. This occurrence usually happens when printing out documents right
before a meeting, or before going home.
CONFERENCE CALL PHONE
These customer relations management devices serve as critical communications tools to important clients.
They facilitate communication with people in other time zones, the reason why you are in the office early
for a morning meeting, Eastern Time. Other times, the devices can cut-out, causing silences and breaks in
communication. During a call with a client, these moments can be mortifying. And you thought first date
awkward silences were bad.
MAGNETS
Magnets cling to other magnets due to a magnet force. We have all used alphabet magnets to post works
of art on fridges. However, the magnets at DDB mean business, powerfully jumping to one another while
pinching fingers in the process. (That tower of chipped magnets on the creative floor may or may not have
been the interns’ doing).
18 The Yellow Internship Papers
FROM THE ARCHIVES
FROM THE
ARCHIVES
IDEAS IN FLIGHT
Paper origami planes hang over the creative minds at the DDB Canada, Vancouver
office. When the space went through its renovations, the designers of the office asked
the people of DDB to rip out a piece of paper from their notebooks. These papers held
ideas, sketches, and all agency related materials.
Today, the paper origami planes can still be seen soaring over the space used for
working, playing, and sharing.
20 The Yellow Internship Papers

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