Our next School Spotlight feature hails from the home of the ADC Festival of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design, Miami. But Miami Ad School also has locations in Minneapolis, San Francisco, New York (USA), Berlin, Hamburg (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Mumbai (India), Sydney (Australia), Mexico City (Mexico), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Sao Paulo, Rio (Brazil) and Istanbul (Turkey).

Founded by Ron and Pippa Seichrist in 1993, they say they’re not just a portfolio school. Miami Ad School teaches its students the biz through ‘hands-on, real life-like assignments.’

ADC: What is the concept behind Miami Ad School?

Pippa Seichrist, Cofounder/Codirector, Head of Innovation & Development: Miami Ad School is a school for misfits. Our students are former assistants, teachers, PR agents, waiters, athletes, lawyers, producers and even some communication and design majors who knew they needed a terrific portfolio and some experience to land their dream job in social media, art direction, copywriting, photography, branding or design. The school started 21 years ago with a single location in Miami and has grown into a global network of opportunities with 14 different locations. Students start in one of our four US locations in Miami, Minneapolis, New York or San Francisco then have the option to study and intern in up to four more locations including London, Tokyo, Paris and more. Students gain a global perspective while being taught by some of the top industry professionals on the planet who mentor them on their portfolios, submissions to award shows and share plenty of career advice.

Miami Ad School is a school for misfits.

ADC: Who are the top industry professionals on the planet that are mentoring your students?

The faculty at Miami Ad School are all industry professionals who teach the students the latest trends and techniques they use everyday at their jobs. Our instructors are from worldwide networks like Ogilvy, Sapient, Digitas and R/GA, slightly smaller agencies like Droga5, Cutwater and 360i, global companies like Google and Twitter, and start-ups you’ll hear about soon. They are focused on creating great work for their clients but one day a week they turn their attention to shaping our students into the next generation of creative thinkers and inventors.

The faculty at Miami Ad School are all industry professionals who teach the students the latest trends and techniques they use everyday at their jobs.

ADC: What do your students think of Miami Ad School?

Well, student Soham Chatterjee told us, “When you decide to go to Miami Ad School, simply pack your bag with the passion to learn. The rest is taken care of. Miami Ad School provides a pedestal for every budding creative who wants to make it big in advertising. Read “big” in bold. Because when you are a part of Miami Ad School you lose the chance to be mediocre. Miami Ad School isn’t just a school. It’s a lifestyle. I’m living it. What about you? #maslife”

ADC: Is there something about Miami Ad School that sets you apart from the rest?

At Miami Ad School, the real world is the classroom. Our Quarter Away program allows each student to participate in multiple internships where they learn the latest skills, get hands-on experience and build an extensive network of industry contacts. Through partnerships with agencies and brands all over the world (Ogilvy, Visa, Y&R, Starbucks, Droga5, UNICEF, 360i…) students work on real-world projects through the SWAT Team (this year they created a Super Bowl commercial that actually aired) and select from over 75 year-round internship options. Our students are prepared to work the day they graduate.

ADC: Thinking back, what is the most original application you’ve received?

There have been so many extremely original applications. How can we pick just one? One applicant shared his biology textbook, which he had turned into a Michelangelo-style sketchbook using gesso, a deflated basketball and paint. This hand-made journal of drawings was so inventive and gorgeous, he could have sold it for thousands of dollars. Another student performed a stand-up comedy routine that made us laugh until we cried. Other students have created amazing stop-motion animations that you can Google and find online.

This hand-made journal of drawings was so inventive and gorgeous, he could have sold it for thousands of dollars.

ADC: Of those who have made it through to the other side, name a few alumni of whom you’re especially proud.

Menno Kluin, Executive Creative Director, Deustch

In addition to having topped Creativity’s list of the most awarded art directors Menno is an outstanding leader. Prior to joining Deustch Menno was also ECD at DDB. He spent his early career at Saatchi and Y&R where he won his weight in Clios, Lions and One Show pencils.

Mark Andeer, VP of Creative, Kmart Corporation

A little over two years ago Mark took over the creative leadership at Kmart. He is behind the retailer’s recent creative successes including the much talked about Cannes Lion winner, Ship My Pants. Before that Mark, was at OfficeMax and was instrumental in Elf Yourself, one of Forbes top 10 viral spots ever created.

Neal Arthur, Managing Director, Wieden + Kennedy, NY

Neal leads one of the most beloved agencies in the world where many Miami Ad School graduates work including the AD/CW team (Will Binder, Jared White) that created the social media campaign Departure Roulette for Heineken. The campaign won a gold Lion this year.

ADC: We know Menno well! He has worked on a number of things with us including the 91st Annual Awards and YG12 campaigns, in addition to chairing the YG12 committee. What kind of industry organizations do your students participate in?

The Ad Club and AIGA and other industry organizations regularly hold events at Miami Ad School. ADC’s Executive Director Ignacio Oreamuno has spoken at Miami Ad School many times, and also taught a course at its Miami location in January 2014.

ADC: Can we get the bill?

Tuition at Miami Ad School costs between $5,500-$17,400.

Learn more about Miami Ad School at miamiadschool.com, on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube and stay tuned for the next School Spotlight, as the series wraps up this week.