Meet the Designers

"Knock, knock!"

We’ve introduced you to the interns and our bosses, now we want you to meet some other groupies! This week we talked to some of the creative force behind Price Group, the designers. This trio can create some crazy stuff, so we wanted you to get to know them a little better.

Meet Annalee, Kaci, and Rebecca!

Annalee

Q: How many years have you been at Price? 

A: Almost 2

Q: Position?

A: Art Director

Q: Favorite thing about working at Price?

A: The cohorts.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, which coworker would you bring and why? 

A: David could MacGyver his way outta there.

Q: What's your go-to lunch? 

A: Brown bag and youtube in the board room with the cohorts.

Q: If you weren't working in advertising what would be your dream job? 

A: Miscellaneous crafter.

Q: What are you binge watching right now? 

A: The Killing & Raising Hope (gotta have a balance)

Rebecca

Q: How many years have you been at Price?

A: A little over four years, including my internship.

Q: Position?

A: Senior Designer

Q: Favorite thing about working at Price?

A: It sounds cliché, but the people. I love working with people that know know what they’re doing, dream big, and (most importantly) look out for each other. I love learning from them as well. We work and play hard together. I also like having the opportunity to create and work on unique projects.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, which coworker would you bring and why? 

A: Ha ha! Entertainment-wise, I would take any of the groupies. If we’re speaking practically, I would take David. I believe the answer on my last survey was, "That guy could build a working helicopter out of a crate of coconut fibers and one banana peel.”

Q: What's your go-to lunch? 

A: Depends on the day. Usually somewhere close, if it’s a weekday. I visited the BackDoor Diner with some friends recently (had never been before), and really enjoyed it. So good.

Q: If you weren't working in advertising what would your dream job be?

A: As a kid, I had many career aspirations (actress, adventurer, singer, counselor, CIA agent (I liked being sneaky), Supergirl (I wanted to help people…and fly), girlfriend of Superman...).

Q: What are you binge watching right now? 

A: I’m not really binge watching any one show right now (not enough time). I’ve always liked Gilmore Girls, though. New Girl can be inappropriate, but is really funny, too. As far as new shows go, the Grinder is pretty great. Love Ben Savage’s character - bless his heart.

Kaci

Q: How many years have you been at Price?

A: .25

Q: Position?

A: Designer

Q: Favorite thing about working at Price?

A: We work as a team to get a final project to a customer and we aren’t in competition with each other. I also get to laugh a lot at work and that makes all my days better.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, which coworker would you bring and why? 

A: I’m pretty introverted so I would kind of like to just be by myself. I might take some of the Communication Arts annuals for some light reading material though. (I also hate hurting peoples’ feelings and this question really stresses me out.)

Q: What’s your go-to lunch? 

A: My mood greatly affects my appetite so it changes daily. I can almost always go for a gyro and baklava though.

Q: If you weren’t working in advertising what would be your dream job? 

A: I would travel the world and take photos of cool places, so kind of like a national geographic photographer but with FAR less pressure. Or be a racecar driver.

Q: What are you binge watching right now? 

A: Parenthood. I just finished season 3 and they played my all time favorite song in a really sad part and I’m still not ready to talk about it yet.

Meet Our New Interns

It’s springtime and you know what that means; we’ve added some new faces to the group! We have an awesome bunch of interns this semester who are eager to learn about the industry. You met Jeff & Sarah last semester, so let's meet the new Groupies!

Jeff Martinez, Sarah Bohannon, Gwen Wright, Bethany Alexander, and Kristine Jones

Gwen Wright

Hometown: I grew up in a military family so I actually have like 10 hometowns. My favorite hometown has definitely been Hawaii.

Major: Advertising

Plans after graduation: Get a job! I would love to go into copywriting or account services. I’m not really picky about where I live, I just want to enjoy what I do.

What you like about TPG: I love the atmosphere here. Everyone is so helpful and relaxed and it makes for such a great learning environment. I’m excited to have an agency play day so I can spend time getting to know the employees better.

Fun Fact: I’m an expert hula hooper.

Favorite Class: Ad Team, I’ve learned so much and it’s really helped me put myself out there and get involved in the world of advertising.

What are you currently watching on Netflix? I’m currently binge-watching friends while I wait for the new season of OITNB to come on.

Waffles or Pancakes? Pancakes. Everytime.

Bethany Ann Alexander

Hometown: Cowtown (aka Fort Worth, Texas)

Major: Public Relations

Plans after graduation: Get a "big girl job" in Lubbock and pursue my Master's Degree online

What you like about TPG: The atmosphere, employees and clients. For me, those are the most important things in the workplace. 

Fun Fact: I don't know how, but I've never broken a bone 

Favorite Class: Ever? Intimate Relationships my Sophomore year

What are you currently watching on Netflix? Currently, nothing. I typically just stick to my Friends and Sex and the City re-runs, but I've been meaning to watch Making a Murderer after all this Steve Avery-talk

Waffles or Pancakes? That's a tough one. I'm going to have to go with both. My Aunt Jolene's famous homemade waffles and the sweet potato pancakes from the Pancake Pantry in Nashville. Neither are on my diet...

Kristine Jones 

Hometown: Rockwall, Texas 

Major: Advertising 

Plans after graduation: My goal is to go to graduate school to get my MBA, and then eventually work at large ad agency in a big city as an account manager. 

What you like about TPG: Other then the fact that their logo is a dog, I love the fun filled environment. I have met some of the most friendly people, who are encouraging and motivating to each others success. 

Fun Fact: I am obsessed with criminal investigation shows. I am convinced I was actually born to be Olivia Benson from Law & Order.  

Favorite Class: Mass Communication Law & Advertising and Society     

What are you currently watching on Netflix? Criminal Minds, of course.
Waffles or Pancakes? Pancakes, because they have the best gluten free option 

Meet the Interns (Part 2)

Last week you got a chance to meet our Account Service Interns, so this week we want to introduce you to our two stellar design interns!

Tj Vining, Senior Advertising Major from Allen, TX

After Graduation:

After graduation, I hope to become an Art Director at one of those big, hip advertising agencies with beer carts and bean-bag chairs. If that doesn't work out, I think I would make a pretty awesome Uber driver.

What I like about TPG:

​The culture of the agency is what makes TPG a fun place to work at. Sure, there are days when work is piling up and we are cramming to finish pieces before a deadline, but it is all overshadowed by good people, great discussion, and killer work. Also, how many times have you had the chance to have a Nerf gun war in the office with you coworkers? 

The work experience is nice too.

Favorite Campaign: 

​My all-time favorite spot is Audi's 2013 Superbowl ad. VB&P had viewers vote on their favorite version of 3 spots in the week leading up to the Superbowl. Check out the spot (it's dope)

Another ad that I absolutely love (strangely enough, it's also a car ad) is Honda's "The Other Side." 

Fun Fact:

​Outside of school, I like to play the guitar, piano, and drums - but I mostly just sit alone in my room and play Wonderwall. I'm also big into snow-skiing and scuba diving, however there is rarely enough snow and not nearly enough water in Lubbock to do those things.

Breanna Velasquez, Sophomore Disgn Communications Major from the city with horrible weather also known as Lubbock, TX

After Graduation:
I’ve delved a little into various fields in the graphic design world, and I can say that I honestly don’t know where I’ll end up, but I do know that I want to be some place where things happen on a grander scale for my career. Small places kill me, so I’ll most likely end up somewhere like New York or Washington, perhaps even California. I’d like to work in an environment where there’s a ton of creativity and other individuals that understand my struggle with fonts and other graphic design problems.
What I like about TPG:
Oh man, I love everything about this place! Being around other people in this industry means that they understand a lot about what you do, so we can sit around and talk about how amazing some design is, how aesthetically pleasing one font is, or even how awesome a certain paper is (I realize how bizarre that might sound.) It’s great getting to be around people who care about kerning and other designer related things. I also love how creativity is everywhere, and how something so simple can evolve into something amazing when a bunch of imaginative people get together to brainstorm. Everyone is passionate here, and it’s something that I find enticing to witness. They inspire me, and have really helped me grow as a designer, which is what I set out to do when I first started working here.
Favorite Campaign:
How could I possibly decide on one? I usually love the ones that integrate 2 images together, because they’re usually incredibly clever, but I have one that resonates with me: The Duracell lightsaber ad that shows Darth Vader trying to power his lightsaber with the battery and it’s the, “Most powerful battery in the universe."
Fun Fact:
I once was trapped in a caffeine cocoon and emerged as a high strung sleep deprived espresso addicted butterfly. What I’m trying to say is that I love coffee.

Superpower: Witty/ridiculous answers to questions that I’m asked.

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Our interns, they keep us young. Interested in becoming a Price Group Intern? Send a resume and cover letter to brooke.blackwell@pricegroupinc.com

Meet the Interns

What's an agency without interns? Young minds keep us on our toes, we're learning just as much from them as they're learning from us. Our mix of 7 diverse and quick minds keep the day-to-day going in this agency and we always see the best from them.

So if you were to ask, yes, ours are the best.

Let's start with introductions, time to meet the Price Group Account Interns.

Audra Becker, Senior Public Relations Major from Lubbock, TX

After Graduation:

I would like to work in a PR agency in Dallas. My top three places I would like to move would be Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Chicago, IL. I am open to any new job that will take me to one of those places. I am ready to graduate and start my life in a new city.

What I like about TPG:

The first person I met at the Price Group was Brooke Blackwell. She is always very nice and if I don’t understand something she is quick to show me how it is done. So, I would say that I like how helpful everyone is here. I never hesitate to ask questions. Being the only intern that isn’t advertising, made me nervous at first, but everyone is so welcoming and helpful.

Favorite Campaign: 

I am a PR major, so one of my favorite PR campaigns would be the “Like a Girl” Always campaign. The message that the phrase “like a girl” doesn’t have to be a negative thing is very inspiring. It gives little girls coming into their teen’s confidence to be themselves.

Hobby:

My two favorite hobbies are running and snowboarding. I ran a half marathon my senior year of high school, and I fell in love with running. It is a great way for me to clear my mind and stay in shape. I started skiing when I was four years old. Then when I turned 15 I learned how to snowboard. My family and I go skiing and snowboarding every year. It is a big part of my life. That is one of the reasons that I would like to live in Colorado.

Fun Fact:

I love the holidays! October through December is my favorite time of year. Getting to spend time with family and friends is why I love it so much. I enjoy the winter more than summer. I would play Christmas music all year if it was socially acceptable!

Marcos Palacios, Junior Advertising major & Business minor from Lubbock, TX

After Graduation: 

Aside from diving into the advertising world, after graduation I want to TRAVEL. I need to see more of the world!

What I like about TPG: 

I like that the Price Group offers you a chance to dig into everything. Do you wanna work on a project with creative? Cool. Wanna dive into accounts? Jump right in. I don’t think that’s something most agencies can offer their interns.

Favorite Campaign: 

One of my favorite ad campaigns is for Hefty Cups. The ads are full of ridiculous, slang-speaking moms. You should give them a peek.

Hobby: 

Outside of school, I really enjoy being outdoors. Camping, backpacking, hiking, you name it. I worked for the Boy Scouts of America this summer, and that’s about as outdoors as you get! 

Fun Fact: 

If I have free time, you’ll probably find me watching Grey’s Anatomy…

Sarah Bohannon, Senior Advertising major & Business minor from Houston(ish), TX

After Graduation:

Well, the hope is some sort of employment. I want to go into copywriting or social media work at an agency out of state or in Austin. I love the work environment at the Price Group and am hoping to be at an agency with the same values. Basically, just a girl looking for her next big adventure.

What I like about TPG:

The environment, this is my first internship and I wouldn’t have it anywhere else. Everyone is super welcoming and there was a Nerf gun war my first week, that’s really something you can’t beat. 

Favorite Campaign:

The Google Stories campaign is one of my all time favorites. The Parisian Love spot is one of those commercials that has stuck with me since I saw it. It’s one of those great commercials that people don’t think of as commercials, you can’t really hate it. 

Hobby:

I’ve really gotten into hiking since college so I try to get to Palo Duro or CapRock whenever I can!

Fun Fact:

In high school, my family had a pet zebra and four ostriches (I’m not even kidding) so I guess that’s pretty cool. 

Alex Mason, Senior Advertising major from McKinney, TX

After Graduation:

I want to work at an agency in Dallas for a few years then move to the Portland area! My goal is to get a job on the account side of a big agency to start, and then move to a smaller agency after I have some expirence!

What I like about TPG:

The staff is super friendly; there is always something to do, and the free food!

Favorite Campaign:

My favorite campaign would have to be the Madden video game viral videos. I think they are funny, creative, and are totally relevant to the target audience of the game.

Hobby:

Outside of school I enjoy riding my motorcycle, fishing, and playing soccer.

Fun Fact:

My favorite TV show is Sons of Anarchy!

Jeff Martinez, Senior Advertising major from the great city of Lubbock, TX

After Graduation:

I want to travel abroad for a month (specifically Spain). However, I’m not too picky as to where I would visit. After my travels, I would love to work for one of those big agencies on the west coast! I am interested in branding and strategy.

What I like about TPG:

Everyone is very nice and helpful here. Our awesome account managers always keep us busy. One Friday afternoon, I got to jam out on David’s mandolin and guitar! What other kind of office would let you do that?

Favorite Campaign:

My favorite commercial is Gatorade’s tribute to Derek Jeter. The spot was created by TBWA\Chiat\Day. Who doesn’t love a good Frank Sinatra tune?

Hobby:

I’m a huge music fan. I like to play the guitar, mandolin, and ukulele as much as I can. When I’m not putting on a concert in my living room, I can be found outside play fetch with my dog!

Fun Fact:

Aside from interning at The Price Group, I am also the social chair of the Tech Ad Federation and the Media Director for the Tech Bullet Ad Team.

***Make sure to check out next weeks post about our amazingly creative design interns!

We're Hiring!

The Price Group is looking to hire a full-time designer! Are you the next great Price Groupie? Contact Annalee MacFie at annalee.macfie@pricegroupinc.com or visit  http://www.pricegroupinc.com/ for more details!

Job Description: Designer

• Responsible for development, design, and production of assigned projects
• On large accounts, work closely with the art director in development, design, and production of assigned projects
• Direct production and monitor quality of assigned projects
• Maintain and update TPG portfolios
• Responsible for researching and reading materials about current design trends and techniques and reporting to design department
• Responsible for cost estimating, quality control, and tracking of assigned projects
• Provide printing estimates to the art director on assigned projects
• Responsible for inspection and approval of separations, bluelines, color keys, and press checks on assigned projects
• Hire and supervise activities of photographers, freelance artists, and other outside creative services on assigned projects
• Participate in creative meetings
• Meet with clients and account executives to discuss, analyze, and assist with design/art requirements

National Boss' Day

It's National Boss' day! Today is a day to celebrate the ones who make the world go round. This special day started back in 1958 when a State Farm Insurance employee, Patricia Bays Haroski, designated October 16th as National Boss’ day. She wanted to show appreciation for her father who was also her boss. She hoped that it would improve the relationships between employees and their superiors. 

We (the Groupies) want to give a special thanks to our fearless leaders, Mike Meister and Pam Sharpe, for all that they do.

The CEO of The Price Group, Mike, is a great leader and is always there to answer questions. He has been with The Price Group for 28 years, and loves helping clients solve problems. The rush of having a great idea and then putting it into action for the client to see, is one of his favorite things. Mike has his toes in a little bit of everything, including: design, brand management, and creative direction. He works with clients as well as on The Price Group’s own website and design. The employees appreciate that he is so versatile, and when anything needs to get done he doesn’t hesitate to take action.

The COO and Director of Media, Pam, is always optimistic and upbeat. She has been with The Price Group for 25 years. She loves how the people at The Price Group find a strategy and then execute it. Pam works with all media platforms such as radio, television and newspaper. She is the primary communicator between The Price Group and the media pertaining to anything about planning and budgeting. Everyone admires that she is so kind and family oriented. She is amazing at what she does, but is a down to earth and loving individual.

Do a selfless act today and make your boss’ life a little easier. Make sure to tell your boss that you appreciate all they do for you, because they deserve it. 

-Audra Becker

The Price Group Playlist

Can you think of a better way to get to know someone other than asking about their taste in music? 

Well, there are probably better ways - but we think this is more fun. 

So this week, the Groupies were challenged to pick a song to contribute to an "office playlist". The prompt was vague but the outcome was pretty great. However, they did insist on giving us their rationale.

So we'd like to present to you...

The Price Group Playlist 

Natalia

Hello Say 

You Say Me

Ballerina Girl - Lionel Richie
"Choosing just one Lionel Richie song was tough, but the one I'm listening to the most these days is Ballerina Girl. I sing it to my daughter".

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8yg9MYf8Q)

David

Layla - Eric Clapton
"Layla was the coolest song when I was a teenager...I always wanted to play it and never did - but I still loved listening to it. Eric Clapton is out of this world!!!" 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n92zksrhbc)

Rebecca

Dark Horses - Switchfoot
"I just love Switchfoot - the sound and the message. I chose this song because the sound matched how I felt in the moment - kinda sassy. Plus who doesn't like a song about the underdog stretching their wings?"

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_5oE0ijhKg)

Crystal

This Year’s Love - David Gray
"I am a huge fan of David Gray and the song has personal meaning to me".

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zN4_7hq77g)

Jared

I have been a Fire - Luke Sital-Singh 

"song of the week"

(http://youtu.be/iNhVdIZiSrU)

Brooke

Stand by Me - Ben E. King
"It's a classic. Plus I know all of the words - which is a rarity". 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE)

Melissa

Shatter Me - Lindsey Stirling ft. Izzy Hale
"I like how classical meets rock". 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tpIMDy9BE)

Mike

Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy
"For as long as I've known about the piece, I always thought it was beautiful. It's soothing, richly orchestrated (although originally written for piano, I prefer the orchestral arrangements) and I think a perfect example of turn of the 20th century music - which also happens to one of my favorite periods of art. It keeps me mellow when things get crazy".

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mt5b6ysj4)

Amanda

End of Summer - Theory of a Deadman
"I like what the lyrics stood for (what they represent)". 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etzjcM3igR0)

Annalee

Black Cadillacs - Modest Mouse 

"…yep".

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmqlI5rSuws)

Pam

“I love to listen to Christian music on K-LOVE!!”

(http://www.klove.com/listen/player.aspx)

Scott

Kick out the Jams - MC5
"If you need to get the excitement level up, this is the song you listen to. It's raw, sloppy, and full of electricity. It's what rock n roll is supposed to be". 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo35O1AJOfg)

Please enjoy some tunes (on us) and keep rollin’ through your week!

-The Price Group