The Power of An Exchange

We often go with the wrong notion that when we come up with ideas that aren’t good enough, we just, shun them away. But as the ITM Cracked team progressed from cluelessness to organization, I now realize the power of the usually suppressed ideas. 

The first ever ITM Cracked team meeting, I was quite overwhelmed with the tasks I was about to be responsible with in the very near future of mine. I would like to believe though, that this is how it’s going to be out in the professional field. 
I’ve realized I felt taken aback because I felt like my ideas may not be good enough for contribution. But let me tell you about 2 things I’ve learned for the past meetings I’ve had with ITM. First, it’s that it could be curiously dangerous if your idea is the only thing you have and the only thing you know about. Trust me. 

Another awesome thing about it is that when you exchange an idea with the person next to you, you don’t lose it and neither does he/she lose her own too. Its collaboration could only improve each other. It’s just amazing how even (let’s say) my lamest idea could ignite the best idea of someone else! 
Thus the joint team of CFAD and AB in this project thrilled me. I’ve been very looking forward to the biggest idea we could come up with as we share our knowledge, time and effort for the success of the 2012’s Cracking The Big idea.

I guess in the end we could say, a powerful idea is never born at once. It takes several exchanges and probably a good reminder to oneself, that your ideas matter.

-Valerie Angeles

Make Your Ideas Matter

Get ready for a unique experience! With the combined efforts of CFAD and AB students of the University of Santo Tomas, we bring you Ideas That Matter. As the event draws nearer, we work harder to bring you a unique experience for you to remember. Five weeks left before the awaited 3-day event and we are preparing fun activities for everyone to enjoy. I won’t reveal the activities yet of course, it’s a surprise!

I joined ITM thinking it will give a learning opportunity to the organizing committee. I was wrong. It does not just give the coordinating teams the opportunity to learn – the opportunity is for everyone! Ideas That Matter is a fun way to learn. With the workshops, seminars and IMC competition, we help make your ideas matter! See you September 27, 28 and 29!  

- MM Adea

The Team Behind ITM

Find out why CFAD and AB students chose to participate in this year’s Ideas That Matter, how they cope with deadlines, and why they think the risks are totally worth it.

What was your first impression on the CFAD-CA collaboration? How was the first meeting for you?

My first impression on CFAD-CA collaboration was that this project is going to be one creative outlet for all of us, with CA’s expertise lying on research while CFAD takes the lead with the execution. Also, during the initial meeting, I noticed how everyone was able to get along well easily. Every member was gracious in offering a seat to a newcomer and was responsive to questions. I am very fortunate to be working with our mind-blowing professor, Sir Gil Velez, and the whole Organizing Team - being in their presence certainly made me feel that if I listen to them, it would help me become smarter."

What are your personal expectations from Ideas That Matter?

I actually have a lot of expectations from this year’s Ideas That Matter since it is a well-established IMC (Integrated Marketing Communication) campaign and also because it bears the name of my major. I think it would only be normal to expect it to be a personal favorite. My basis on this is that personally for me, I describe IMC as an "eclectic mix" that is also something practical. It is practical in the sense that it is diverse enough to cater to a lot of interests while allowing practitioners to integrate skills in serving different fields.

How does the Organizing Team deal with pressures and deadlines?

Since we are fully aware of the pressures and deadlines that come with this competition, we already prepared ourselves ahead in order to excel in our chosen fields. I think it all boils down to knowing our responsibilities and being one another’s support system. Trusting in our capabilities, striving our hardest – these are ways for us to not settle for mediocrity.

For we are set on discovering, learning what we are truly capable of, and exploring everything IDEAS THAT MATTER has to offer.

-Glenda Dela Pena 

My First JanSport Backpack

I’ve been a backpack person, save for a few years in grade school, for as long as I can remember. Backpacks are compact and, unlike, let’s say a duffle bag, they don’t make you look like you brought along the contents of your entire house. As to why the backpack became my bag of choice, it all started with my first JanSport Backpack. I still remember that I got it from my aunt during one Christmas in the early 2000’s; it was a classic black bag with a brown leather base. So simple, yet elegant; it never looked too flashy or too rugged for any occasion. It instantly became a favorite of mine; I used to bring it with me 5 to 6 times a week. I wore it so much that it came to a point when my friends can tell if it’s me from a distance just by seeing the backpack.

 I basically grew up with it. It also seemingly never ran out of space. I used to just stuff all my school supplies in there, together with a jacket, and it always had a little space left. It’s also incredibly durable; I abused and washed it through the years, but its form stayed the same and the color hardly faded. In fact, when I finally gave it away in a relief operation before I became a freshman in UST, it was still in very good shape.

So thank you, JanSport, for giving me a reliable buddy that never left my side (or shall I say, shoulders) throughout my early teen years until the end of my adolescence. Ideas That Matter is proud to have been sponsored by a brand that is synonymous with great value for money, style and durability.

- Jed Mutuc

Who will crack the big idea?

Will it be Headgear, DEM or Maven? Which of the three groups with the brightest 3rd year College of Fine Arts Students and 4th year Communication Arts Student will crack the big idea? Find out as we invite you to come and discover who will reign supreme this September 27-29, 2012 at Beato Angelico AVR, UST.

See you there J

-Nicole Alejandro

The Basics of Fun

The sun is out! And so is our team to bring you the best of our 3-day event! Save the date: September 27, 28 and 29 because you’re in for a treat! Literally!

We all know Ideas That Matter as an event with creative exhibit, workshops, seminars and an IMC competition. For those of you who are following our blog and Facebook page wondering what “IMC” is, particularly those who have never encountered it, here are the things you should know about IMC!

IMC stands for Integrated Marketing Communication. It involves coordination of various promotional elements and other marketing activities that communicate with a firm’s customers. It is a concept that directs the planning, executing and monitoring the brand message that create brand-customer relationships. It includes media advertisements, price, package design, direct marketing efforts, publicity, sales promotion and even the type of store where the product or service is sold.

During our IMC class, we do not only absorb these terms, we also apply them in real life. We have developed some key values in time, like creativity, critical thinking and communication. It’s always a fun time because while we learn, we still crave for more! This perfectly justifies the cliché “learning is fun”, no kidding! It really is!

I want to wrap up this post with my personal favourite quote that I often associate to school or work: “If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.” (Bob Basso)

So if you want to join in the fun, stay tuned for more updates about ITM’s event! J

- Kat Magsino

Details That Matter

Before moving on to some more details about Ideas That Matter- Cracking The Big Idea, let us start with a simple introduction about it.

Well, here are the basics: Ideas That Matter is an event organized by 3^rd year Advertising students from the College of Fine Arts and Design; these creative people are helped by selected 4^th year CA students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters. This collaborative effort made by two of the most prolific group of students from UST gives creative thinking and thinking outside the box their best definitions.

Btw, If you want more details about Ideas That Matter 2012, check our Twitter and Facebook accounts!

What happens during this event? It’s a 3-day event; it includes an IMC campaign competition, creative exhibit and creative workshops and seminars. This event takes place in the Audio-Visual Room of Beato Angelico Building, UST. Our competition includes three (3) agencies from participating CA and CFAD classes. Every sem, the ITM committee has different accounts; last semester’s account was Jansport, today, it’s Chuckie, Chocolate Drink! Details about this semester’s account will be further explained in the following blog entries. 

Moreover, to add further excitement to participants, we are planning to have a game someplace else (like the Quadricentennial Park or Tan Yan Kee Students Center Lobby); these games are of course related to the main objectives of the event, made to crack each student’s idea. (good news is, the game is open  to everyone!)

And When is this event? Hmm. Mark your calendars friends! September 27, 28 and 29, 2012. Goodluck to the three competing agencies!  (DEM, Maven and Headgear).

Watch out for our next post! J

- Danae Singson

Not your typical nut

I became a part of the ITM team and knew that I am in for a wild ride. I will be able to meet new people and get to know how to prepare an event. One thing that has been a part of my life as a college student is the sleepover. I don’t know if I will be able to experience this with ITM but if ever it happens, I am ready for it.

One cool thing that happened during an overnight just recently was that I was having dinner with the family who hosted our sleepover and of course, we got into telling stories, and the one we were talking about was ITM because their daughter was also a part of the event but as a member of a competing team. 

Then, Tobi’s House of Nuts was brought up as topic and the family members said that their nuts were really good and their daughter even agreed. So I wondered, were they really that good? This family is one of those families who are a bit particular with the food they eat because their mom is a really good cook. So if they say that Tobi’s House of Nuts is delicious, then I have to try them for myself.

I have to find where they are and I shall conquer—er, eat them, yes, eat them until my tummy can’t take anymore. Thanks to the people of ITM for opening my eyes to such good food.

- James De Castro