Tiffany Chung appreciates the value of creative ideas. As an advertising copywriter and rising talent in the industry, the University of Toronto Mississauga alumna knows that generating new ideas is a part of the creative process that can’t necessarily be learned or taught.
“If you don’t naturally have that conceptual thinking ability, it can be tough in this field,” she says. But, she notes, having those talents isn't enough. It's equally important to nurture those innate skills through practice and education. Chung credits UTM with giving her the knowledge to help her creativity grow. Chung graduated from UTM's art and art history program in 2007, earning a concurrent diploma from Sheridan College. She has since completed a one-year advertising copywriting program. “UTM gave me a good foundation,” she says.
Chung currently works at London-based digital marketing agency AKQA where she writes copy for apps and social media. Among her projects is the Nike Women Training Club app, a digital product that provides hundreds of workouts designed to cater to the different goals and fitness levels of users.
“Copywriters and art directors work as a team to come up with advertising campaigns," she says. "The art director is responsible for the visual side and as a copywriter, I take care of all the writing.” Chung's work is gaining attention in the industry where she has earned awards for several campaigns, and a high ranking spot on Strategy Magazine’s Top Canadian Copywriters list in 2014.
“The exciting thing about being in advertising is that it’s a competitive field. Your peers make you better. You learn a lot from each other,” Chung says. “It’s definitely a friendly competition and there are so many creative people that you admire who inspire and motivate you to keep going and keep improving yourself.”
Chung's student experiences have had a profound impact on her life, both personally and professionally. As an undergraduate student, shevisited Italy for an art history course offered through U of T's Summer Abroad program. “That summer course got me interested in living in a culture in another country rather than playing tourist all the time," says the Manitoba native. "I wanted to get to know how the locals live." The course inspired Chung to move overseas to pursue her career and love of travel. "I’m in London because I want to live abroad and travel," she says. "Copywriting has allowed me to do that."
Author: Larissa Ho, Communications Intern, Alumni Relations, University of Toronto Mississauga, 2014
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