Member Profile: Nicole Steier 

Employer: Crossroads of Western Iowa

Job Position: Development Coordinator

How long have you been a member of AAF Omaha? About 10 months.

Who got you involved and how has involvement benefitted you? Katie Godbout, Public Relations Director at Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, got me involved while I was interning for her. Now I am serving as Communication Chair on the Board of Directors and am excited to be involved with an organization that strives to make advertising a positive force in our community. Not to mention the opportunity to work with professionals in the advertising business - there is so much I can learn from them.

Type of music you like most? Folk and rock. I should have grown up in the 60's because my all time favorite artists are Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and The Beatles.

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Should I have Hazelnut or Breakfast blend coffee?

What's your favorite sport? Wake-boarding - there is nothing better than exploding off the wake and getting that momentary feeling of flight.

What is the last film you saw? Despicable Me in 3D. There's something unique about the mix of dark humor and lovable characters that gives the movie its edge, I recommend it to all.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? I would live in the South of France. After studying abroad for a photography class; I can think of nothing more beautiful than France's countryside.

What is your favorite quote? "Learn to love the journey because life is much more about journey than it is about destination." - My Dad or "I define nothing. Not beauty, not patriotism. I take each thing as it is, without prior rules about what it should be." - Bob Dylan

2010 Fall Television Preview
A Fall For? Or a Fall Flat?

When: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
11:30 Networking - 12 Noon Luncheon

Where: Regency Park Lodge 909 S. 107th Avenue Omaha, NE 68144

Cost: AAF Omaha Members $25, General Public $30

What's better than watching TV's Fall programming from your sofa at home? Joining your media pals of course, over lunch, popcorn and sneak previews at the AAF Omaha August Luncheon.

Will we fall for or will they just fall flat? Is any single show arriving on the heels of loud buzz? Or is fall's problem one of too many high-grade averages? After weeks of slogging through almost every new series, AAF Omaha unveils definitive picks on the new additions to "Television You Can't Live Without".

If you have any interest in ratings, program information, episode guides, spoilers and trivia, or if you just like TV - you won't want to miss this program.

For more information and to register for this luncheon visit www.aafomaha.org

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The American Advertising Federation Omaha (AAF Omaha) is driven by the volunteer efforts of its membership. Through the work of board members and committees AAF Omaha remains a strong voice in your industry. Most efforts require just an hour or two of your time per month. Please consider joining a committee today!

Thanks to members like you, AAF Omaha will continue to grow stronger. As we move forward to make our club and industry even better, we need your active involvement to achieve another successful year for the club.

Please email teri@novia.net with your committee selections. Or update your Membership Profile and tell us what activities you would like to be involved with. You may select more than one committee listed below. You will be contacted by an AAF Omaha Board Member to provide you with committee information and meeting dates. Your active participation in the American Advertising Federation Omaha is very much appreciated!

• Education/Scholarship/Speakers Bureau
• Meet the Pros
• AdBites Professional Development over Lunch
• AdNight After Hours Networking
• Fundraisers
• Holiday Party
• Bowl-O-Rama
• AdWars
• Nebraska Advertising Awards, ADDYs
• Newsletter, AdMuse and Public Relations
• Public Service
• Membership
• Legislative Issues
• Diversity
• Movie Series

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            Stack Creative unConference

Belong. Network. SAVE.

The American Advertising Federation Omaha (AAF Omaha), is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for its members.

The 2010 Stack Creative unConference is right around the corner, and AAF Omaha is able to offer its members a discounted registration rate-AAF

OMAHA MEMBERS WILL SAVE $50!

What is an unConference?

An unConference is an interactive alternative to the usual conference. Because of the constantly changing nature of digital media, presentations that are prepared six months in advance are sometimes no longer relevant by the time they are given. At an unConference, the agenda is created live by its attendees, providing exchanges for participants that are up to the minute and always relevant. Most of the sessions are not
presentations but rather dialogues and conversations about emerging trends, issues
and industry projects.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Build new collaborative networks and partnerships across disciplines.
• Learn something new from others in the field.
• Find answers to the questions that matter to them.
• Consider business issues related to the advertising industry.
• Be exposed to new ideas for making and keeping advertising relevant.

Who's Attending?

Participants for The Stack Creative unConference include many of the top creative minds in the MidWest.  Including leaders from:

• Traditional agencies
• Interactive agencies
• Clients from a broad range of industries
• Production companies
• Internet media properties
• And people in diverse roles including creative directors, digital artists, CMOs, media planners, copywriters, art directors, futurists, geeks and technical people.

What will be talked about?

• We expect questions like these to be addressed:
  • What shifts are happening in the media landscape, and how are they changing the creative process?
  • What are the shifts in business models?
  • How are new technologies like smartphones, netbooks and GPS devices going to change advertising in the near term?
  • Will online publications kill print? And if so, what then?
  • As a traditional creative, what are effective strategies for expanding into the digital media ecology?
  • As a digital native, how can I work more effectively with traditional creatives and weave our different skills/life experiences together?

All the sessions will have notes taken at them and a book of proceedings will be compiled-so those sessions you can't make, you won't completely miss. The following week, a summary of the events will be sent out via e-mail so that you can read up on all the other interesting topics discussed.

When and where does it all happen?

• Tuesday, September 7
• Nomad-1013 Jones Street, Omaha, NE 68102

How much is registration (for an AAF Omaha Member)?

• Typically, registration for the event is $100. However, AAF Omaha members are able to receive a $50 discount by entering the organization's promo code. Simply contact Teri Hamburger at 402.561.6625 or teri@novia.net and let her know that you're registering for the event. She'll then provide you with the promo code.
• 
  EVEN BETTER NEWS!! . all AAF Omaha members who register for the 2010 Stack Creative unConference will be entered into a drawing to have their unConference registration PAID FOR IN FULL. That's right . members have the opportunity to attend the unConference for FREE!
• And if you're not currently an AAF Omaha member?? Become one! Check out our website at www.aafomaha.org or contact Teri Hamburger at 402.561.6625 or teri@novia.net and find out how you can become a member. Once you're signed up, you can also receive the discounted 2010 Stack Creative unConference registration rate (you'll save more than 25% on membership and unConference registration combined!). Plus, you'll be entered into the drawing for the FREE unConference registration.

There's More!!

• When you become an AAF Omaha member, you'll begin receiving other great AAF Omaha benefits including:
  
  • Networking opportunities with local industry leaders
  • Discounted rates for professional development
  • Discounted ADDY® Awards entries
  • Timely information on local and national advertising issues and more!!

Check out the 2010 Stack Creative unConference website for more details and to see who's attending: http://www.stack2010.com/

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Ashee Purcell Account Executive with Redstone
to Lead AAF Omaha Board

2010-2011 AAF Omaha Board of Directors

Officers:
President Ashlee Purcell, Redstone
1st Vice President - Treasurer Michael Goldsmith, Lincoln Financial Group
2nd Vice President - Membership Teresa Lauver, C & A Industries, Inc.
Chairman & Legislative Affairs Jane Shinn, JES Design & Domestic Violence Coordinating Council

Directors:
Sarah Childers, Coldwell Banker Commercial World Group
Patrick Stibbs, On the Spot Productions & Journal Broadcast Group
Jenny Dillingham, SKAR Advertising
Morgan Havermann, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Kathleen Overholt, Thought District
Jeffrey Maciejewski, Creighton University
Nicole Steier, Crossroads of Western Iowa
Bryan Mohr, Bozell
Michael Johnson, Swanson Russell
Rhonda Richardson, A & K Marketing, Inc.
Nikki Huffman, Qwest Center Omaha
Brenda Stewart, WOWT
Lori Shields, Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce

Board Advisor:
Greg Ahrens, SKAR Advertising

American Advertising Federation Omaha, www.aafomaha.org

Founded in 1906, the American Advertising Federation Omaha (AAF Omaha) is considered the unifying voice of advertising in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. The professional association is made up of and represents corporate advertising, agencies, marketing, media, printing, suppliers, academia and other advertising and public relations professionals. As advocates for the rights of advertisers, we educate policy makers, the media and the general public on the value advertising brings to the well-being of our community and the economy.

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Swanson Russell Promotes Peterson, Levic in Media Department

Swanson Russell announces the promotions of two media department staff, Jon Peterson and Almir Levic.

With his promotion to vice president-associate media director, Peterson serves on the agency's officer's council, assists with the leadership and administration of the media department and provides strategic direction for client advertising programs.

Previously a media services manager, Peterson oversees media planning and buying for clients in the agriculture and healthcare industries. A native of Papillion, Neb., he joined Swanson Russell in 1996. He previously held a position at Tracy Locke in Dallas. Peterson graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in journalism. He is an active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Promoted to media strategist, Levic is responsible for the development, presentation and execution of client advertising programs. Previously a media planner, he works with a number of clients in the outdoor and green industries. Levic's particular interest and expertise in digital media have helped lead clients such as MinnKota, Humminbird and Scotts into this mode of advertising.

A native of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Levic joined Swanson Russell in 2007. He previously held a marketing program manager position with The Stanley Works in Lincoln. Levic graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business administration and also completed his MBA in marketing from Regis University in Denver.

Founded in 1962, Swanson Russell is Nebraska's largest marketing communications firm, with offices in Lincoln and Omaha. In addition to working with local and regional clients, the full-service agency is nationally recognized for expertise in agriculture, healthcare, outdoor recreation and the green industry. For more information about Swanson Russell's "Real Connection" approach to advertising, public relations, interactive and branding services, visit www.swansonrussell.com.

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Swanson Russell Tops Recent Agency Rankings

No. 1 in Nebraska, a National Leader in the Ag and Green Industries

Recent industry publication rankings show Swanson Russell continues as the largest Nebraska-based marketing communications agency in terms of revenue, and remains among the leading U.S. ag agencies in several categories.

In the annual agency ranking by Advertising Age magazine, Swanson Russell maintains its long-held position as Nebraska's largest marketing communications agency, with annual capitalized billings of almost $85 million. A survey by Agri Marketing magazine in its May issue ranks Swanson Russell first among U.S. ag agencies in 2009 income from "professional products," which include those for companion animal and green industry markets. In addition, Swanson Russell is ranked as the nation's second largest agency in the rural lifestyle market category.

Agri Marketing, the official magazine of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), annually ranks the largest U.S. communications agencies serving the professional products, rural lifestyle, agribusiness and producer-funded markets. A perennial leader among the U.S. ag agencies surveyed, Swanson Russell is ranked second in 2009 income from sales promotion, third in 2009 income from Web marketing and fourth in 2009 income from direct marketing.

Swanson Russell's ag clients include Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, AGCO Corp., AGP, Land O' Lakes Purina Feed LLC, and Reinke Manufacturing Co. In addition, Swanson Russell is widely recognized as one of the world's leading agencies in the green/turf industry, with clients including Briggs & Stratton, E-Z-GO, Rain Bird and Scotts Professional Business Group.

"Our deep roots in Nebraska and the Midwest have allowed us to sustain a successful business while producing work that has attracted and retained clients locally as well as in the agriculture, green and other industries nationwide," said Dave Hansen, Swanson Russell partner and chief executive officer. "Our many years of experience and expertise in these markets have worked to make real connections between our clients and their customers."

Founded in 1962, Swanson Russell has offices in Lincoln and Omaha. In addition to working with local and regional clients, the full-service agency is nationally recognized for expertise in agriculture, healthcare, outdoor recreation and the green industry. For more information about Swanson Russell's "Real Connection" approach to advertising, public relations, interactive and branding services, visit www.swansonrussell.com.
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