KNOXVILLE — Lorrie Brooks has toured New York City’s Madison Avenue, seen her face in USA Today and Advertising Age, and met with recruiters from the nation’s top advertising agencies.
And the Antioch, Tenn., native hasn’t even graduated from college.
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Lorrie Brooks
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Brooks, 21, a senior in advertising at the University of Tennessee, was selected as one of 51 finalists in the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Minority Students Program. She was honored by the AAF on Feb. 8 at a luncheon at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
“This is a major honor for Lorrie, the advertising program, and UT,” said Eric Haley, the advertising/public relations professor who nominated Brooks for the award. “It’s great to see national organizations like the AAF recognize the tremendous talent we have among our students.”
Brooks also participated in a three-day conference at the athletic club. The group heard from leaders in the advertising field and met with recruiters from leading advertising agencies.
“I think that it was an absolute honor, not only to get nominated, but also to be chosen as a finalist,” Brooks said. “From meeting with individual companies, interviewing for entry-level job positions and being in New York for the first time, this is one experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.-
The Most Promising Minority Student Program began in 1997 as a way for AAF corporate members to find qualified minority candidates for jobs in advertising. This year’s 51 finalists represent 35 colleges and make up the largest class of honorees to date.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Advertising Federation is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. Through its 215 college chapters, the AAF provides 6,500 advertising students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has 130 blue-chip corporate members, including advertisers, agencies and media companies.
The AAF also named UT senior Erica Collier, of Brentwood, Tenn., to this year’s honor roll.
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Contact:
April Moore, (865)974-0463, amoore9@utk.edu
Amy Blakely, (865) 974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu
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