BYU Adlab
{{Infobox company
| name = BYU AdLab
| type = Private
| logo =
| foundation = 2003
| founder = Jeff Sheets
Doug McKinlay
| location = Provo, UT, USA
| industry = Advertising & Marketing
| owner = Brigham Young University
| homepage = [http://byuadlab.com/ byuadlab.com]
}}
The BYU AdLab is an American advertising agency housed within the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. Founded by Jeff Sheets and Doug McKinlay, it is one of only a few university-sponsored advertising agencies in the world.{{cite web |accessdate=2011-03-07 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700047397/Pro-quality-ad-campaigns-flowing-out-of-BYUs-AdLab.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713174543/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700047397/Pro-quality-ad-campaigns-flowing-out-of-BYUs-AdLab.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2010 |title=Pro-quality ad campaigns flowing out of BYU's AdLab |work=Deseret News |date=2010-07-12}} The AdLab exists as a student run, professionally mentored ad agency, bridging the gap between student and professional work.
The BYU AdLab is the only student agency to win a Professional One Show Pencil and is the only student agency of record for The Ad Council, producing over 40 national public service campaigns.{{Cite web |title=Comms Home |url=https://comms.byu.edu/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=School of Communications |language=en}} The program has won hundreds of awards and was recognized as the One Show’s School of the Year in 2021 and 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=BYU AdLab Recognized Internationally for its Exemplary Students and Faculty |url=https://cfac.byu.edu/articles/school-of-communications/byu-adlab-recognized-internationally-for-its-exemplary-students-and-faculty |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) |language=en}}
History
Founded in 2003, the BYU AdLab first gained prominence with a campaign for the Office of the National Drug Control Policy portraying pictures of teenagers who made the choice themselves to say no to drugs.{{Cite web |date=2004-03-30 |title=BYU ad campaign chosen for project |url=https://universe.byu.edu/2004/03/30/byu-ad-campaign-chosen-for-project/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=BYU Daily Universe |language=en}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ksl.com/article/13921911/byu-adlab-program-giving-students-real-world-experience | title= BYU Adlab program giving students real-world experience | first=Amanda | last=Butterfield | website=KSL | access-date=2019-07-28}} Jeff Sheets and Doug McKinlay realized that students didn't need fake assignments, but that work in the real world would be even more effective.Walker, Michael L. [https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-byu-launchpad/ "The BYU Launchpad"], BYU Magazine, Utah, 1 June 2019. Retrieved on 5 August 2019. “If we want to produce the best ad graduates in the nation, we have to provide the best educational experience in the nation.”{{Cite web |title=About – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?page_id=5 |access-date=2025-02-23 |language=en-US}} Since them the AdLab has collaborated with dozens of advertising agencies nationwide to produce numerous national clients, including Airbnb, Gatorade, Old Spice, Nike, Taco Bell, Volkswagen, Burger King, L'Oreal, EA Sports, the UNICEF Tap Project, Doritos, Haagen Dazs, Holiday Inn, Nestle, Ford, Verizon, General Mills, Taco Bell, Levi's, Spotify, Amazon, and more.{{cite web |accessdate=2011-03-07 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700113709/BYUs-Ad-Lab-winning-pro-level-recognition.html?pg=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191315/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700113709/BYUs-Ad-Lab-winning-pro-level-recognition.html?pg=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |title=BYU's Ad Lab winning pro-level recognition |work=Deseret News |date=2011-02-26}}{{Cite web |title=AdLab |url=https://comms.byu.edu/adlab |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=School of Communications |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Merrill |first=Olivia Serafin |title=BYU's "Addy" Lab |url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/byus-addy-lab/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Y Magazine |language=en-US}}
As a volunteer agency with the Ad Council, the AdLab has produced projects for the Library of Congress, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Coalition for Healthy Children, the American Cancer Society, and the United States Forest Service.{{Cite web |last=Hollingshead |first=Media Contact: Todd |date=2010-06-14 |title=BYU Ad Lab turns Doritos into Gold by winning national ADDY |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-ad-lab-turns-doritos-gold-winning-national-addy |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hollingshead |first=Media Contact: Todd |date=2010-06-30 |title=BYU Ad Lab behind new Smokey Bear DVD |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-ad-lab-behind-new-smokey-bear-dvd |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}}
In 2011, the BYU AdLab became the first student-run ad agency to win a professional Pencil from the One Show.{{Cite web |last=Hollingshead |first=Media Contact: Todd |date=2011-02-18 |title=BYU Ad Lab first student agency to win top professional award |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-ad-lab-first-student-agency-win-top-professional-award |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}} The program partnered with ad agency McCann Erickson to create a music video for Kyle Andrews, which received a Bronze Pencil in the music category. The music video featured an attempt at setting a Guinness World Record for the world's largest water balloon fight with 3927 participants and 120,021 water balloons.{{Cite web |date=2010-07-24 |title="Cougar Cooldown" breaks water balloon fight record |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/cougar-cooldown-breaks-water-balloon-fight-record |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}}
The AdLab receives no funding from BYU, but generates all money from client projects. BYU Adlab graduates have gone on to work for notable ad agencies across the country, including Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Wieden+Kennedy, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, McCann Erickson, BBDO, Deutsch LA, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Innocean, and more.{{cite web|url= https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/04/01/hot-hot-dogs-byu/| title= Hot for hot dogs — BYU students relish the chance to promote wieners as winners | first=Kathy | last=Stephenson | website=The Salt Lake Tribune | access-date=2019-07-28}}{{Cite web |last=Hollingshead |first=Media Contact: Todd |date=2010-06-14 |title=BYU Ad Lab turns Doritos into Gold by winning national ADDY |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-ad-lab-turns-doritos-gold-winning-national-addy |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Christensen |first=Media Contact: Andrea |date=2017-06-12 |title=BYU ad students sweeping national and international awards shows |url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-ad-students-sweeping-national-and-international-awards-shows |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=News |language=en}} AdLab alumni have gone on to create notable ad campaigns including Allstate's "Mayhem", Apple's "Welcome Home," Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Can Smell Like," and Gatorade's "Be Like Mike" remix.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Michael R. |title=Making Mayhem and Old Spice Manly Men |url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-byu-launchpad/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Y Magazine |language=en-US}} Notable alumni who have had a significant impact in the advertising industry include Brent Anderson, Matt Miller, and Pierce Thiot.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Michael R. |title=Making Mayhem and Old Spice Manly Men |url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-byu-launchpad/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Y Magazine |language=en-US}}
Awards and Recognition
The BYU AdLab has collected numerous awards and press mentions since being established.{{cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/see-the-charming-student-made-vespa-ad-that-won-best-of-show-at-the-national-addys/|title=This Charming Vespa Ad Won the Top Student Award at the National Addys |first=Tim|last=Nudd|website=AdWeek|date=15 June 2017 |access-date=2019-07-28}}
= 2018 =
- Students from the AdLab won the top student award at the ANDYs for their commercial "Pests Do Not Mess With the Orkin Man," which was subsequently featured in Adweek.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-20 |title=Adweek features BYU AdLab’s winning video from ANDY Awards |url=https://www.deseret.com/2018/3/20/20641991/adweek-features-byu-adlab-s-winning-video-from-andy-awards/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2018 Winners |url=https://www.andyawards.com/2018-winners/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=ANDY Awards |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Beltrone |first=Gabriel |date=2018-03-20 |title=See the Amusing Orkin Mini-Musical That Just Won the Top Student Award at the Andys |url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/see-the-amusing-orkin-mini-musical-that-just-won-the-top-student-award-at-the-andys/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |language=en-US}}
= 2019 =
- In 2019 the AdLab was named the top college advertising program in the country by College Magazine.{{cite web|url=https://universe.byu.edu/2019/02/21/byu-advertising-program-ranks-no-1-in-nation-1/ |title=BYU advertising program ranks No. 1 in nation | first=Kristen | last=Hollingshaus | website=Daily Universe |date=21 February 2019 | access-date=2019-07-28}}
- The BYU AdLab won the Student Gold ADDY Award for the Dorito's Nemesis campaign, one of only eight gold awards awarded by the American Advertising Federation from more than 60,000 applicants.{{cite web |accessdate=2011-03-08 |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/49762005-79/byu-students-advertising-koelling.html.csp |title=BYU students' commercial wins top honor |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=2011-09-17}}
= 2022 =
- In 2022, BYU students claimed the Best Commercial award at the student Emmys with their commercial "Life's Journey," created by Tyler Richardson, Asher Huskinson, Rebekah Baker, and Campell George.{{Cite web |title=AdLab Wins Student Emmy Award |url=https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/byu/news-features/adlab-wins-student-emmy-award/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}
= 2023 =
- In 2023, the BYU AdLab won 28 Gold awards at the annual AAF American Advertising Awards competition.{{Cite web |title=AAF American Advertising Awards & Big Adlab Wins – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?p=2047 |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}}
- The AdLab won 11 Clio awards, 4 D&AD awards, 3 International ANDYs, Communication Arts Advertising Award of Excellence, and National Best of Show for the AAF ADDYs.{{Cite web |last=Stahle |first=Media Contact: Tyler |date=2023-05-09 |title=Awards season 2023: BYU students honored with prestigious scholarships, first-place finishes |url=https://news.byu.edu/intellect/awards-season-2023-byu-students-honored-with-prestigious-scholarships-first-place-finishes |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=News |language=en}}
- The program was ranked second in the world for the One Club's Best Global Creative College{{Cite web |title=Award Rankings - Top Students in Design and Advertising {{!}} The One ClubCollege Rankings {{!}} 2023 |url=https://www.oneclub.org/awards/rankings/students/-archive/agency/2023/all/all/all/all |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.oneclub.org |language=en}}
- The AdLab swept the annual Student Emmy awards competition for best Student Commercial with Andrew Rhee and Madi Hill’s commercial “Dear Vanessa”.{{Cite web |title=Big Emmy Win – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?p=2309 |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}}
= 2024 =
- In 2024, the BYU AdLab was named School of the Year by the One Club Young Ones student competition.{{Cite web |title=School of the Year! – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?p=2642 |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Young Ones Student Awards - Archive of Winners {{!}} The One ClubYoung Ones {{!}} College Rankings {{!}} 2024 |url=https://www.oneclub.org/awards/youngones/-archive/agency/2024/all/all/all/all |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.oneclub.org |language=en}}
- Students won 51 awards during the One Club’s Creative Week in New York.
- Professor Jeff Sheets was named the 2024 Distinguished Advertising Educator of the Year by the American Advertising Federation.{{Cite web |title=Distinguished Advertising Educator Award Home {{!}} AAF |url=https://www.aaf.org/Public/Public/Events/Awards/DAE.aspx#:~:text=2024%20Recipient&text=He%20and%20his%20students%20have,,%20Microsoft,%20and%20many%20others. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231204115547/https://www.aaf.org/Public/Public/Events/Awards/DAE.aspx |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.aaf.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=BYU AdLab Recognized Internationally for its Exemplary Students and Faculty |url=https://cfac.byu.edu/articles/school-of-communications/byu-adlab-recognized-internationally-for-its-exemplary-students-and-faculty |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) |language=en}}
- The BYU AdLab was named the winner of the 2024 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program.{{Cite web |last=Stahle |first=Media Contact: Tyler |date=2024-04-17 |title=From campus to cinema: BYU students win Coca-Cola Refreshing Films contest |url=https://news.byu.edu/intellect/from-campus-to-cinema-byu-students-win-coca-cola-refreshing-films-contest |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=News |language=en}} Students Adam Sheets and Destinee Neville won both the competition’s Grand Prize and the Cinemark Fan Favorite Award for their commercial “Signs of Friendship.”{{Cite web |last=Pack |first=Ethan L. |title=AdLab Accolades |url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/adlab-accolades/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Y Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=2024 Finalists |url=https://www.coca-cola.com/us/en/offerings/refreshing-films/2024-finalists |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.coca-cola.com}}
- For the fifth year in a row, the BYU AdLab swept the Student Emmy nominations for Best Student TVCommercial/PSA in the annual College Television Awards.{{Cite web |title=Adlab Students Sweep TV Commercial Awards Category in the Student Emmy Competition – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?p=2403 |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}} Students Remington Butler, Alex McBride, and Tanner Jackson won the school’s fifth straight award for their commercial “No One is Alone.”{{Cite web |date=2024-04-18 |title=BYU animation, AdLab students win Student Emmys |url=https://news.byu.edu/intellect/byu-animation-adlab-students-win-student-emmys |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=News |language=en}}
- Students Abby Jensen and Shelby Moore won the 15th Annual Washington Media Scholars Foundation Competition for their work on the Media Plan Case Competition.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Washington Media Scholars Foundation Announces 2024 Competition Winners - Washington Media Scholars |url=https://www.mediascholars.org/washington-media-scholars-foundation-announces-2024-competition-winners/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}}
- The program took third place in the annual National Student Advertising Competition.{{Cite web |title=National Student Advertising Competition Home {{!}} AAF |url=https://www.aaf.org/Public/Public/Events/National-Student-Advertising-Competition/NSAC_Home.aspx |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240617182044/https://www.aaf.org/Public/Public/Events/National-Student-Advertising-Competition/NSAC_Home.aspx |archive-date=2024-06-17 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.aaf.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=BYU Adlab takes 3rd Place Nationally in the NSAC Tide Competition – BYU AdLab |url=https://www.byuadlab.com/?p=2648 |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}}
AAF Most Promising Multicultural Student Award Winners
The BYU AdLab has a long history of students being recognized as Most Promising Multicultural Students by the American Advertising Federation. Since 2019, 25 program graduates have received this recognition.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.byuadlab.com/ Official Website]
{{Brigham Young University}}
Category:Advertising agencies of the United States
Category:2003 establishments in Utah
Category:Mass media companies established in 2003