AEJMC Advertising Division 2022 Teaching Pre-Conference Review: Leading Our Students Into the Future: Minding the Gap Between the Industry and Academia

The Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication held its 25th annual Teaching Pre-Conference on the topic of bridging the skill gap between the industry and academia. Fifteen notable speakers shared with advertising educators what is changing and what is needed from young professionals entering the field. Professionals from 13 top ad agencies/organizations representing a variety of roles in advertising discuss their jobs and what advertising educators should know in the current environment. Five dominant themes that emerged from the presentations are culture, inquisitiveness, soft skills, storytelling, and connection. Implications and teaching advice for ad educators are further discussed in the report.