4A's Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 7, 2013) - The 4A's, the leading trade association for the advertising and marketing industry, kicked off its 40th summer of MAIP this week, which, each year, places more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students in paid, 10-week summer internships at 4A's member agencies.

Students gain practical work experience, establish key industry contacts and become better prepared to land full-time jobs in the industry upon graduation. The program also provides agencies a cost-effective way to identify and recruit talented multicultural students.

Since 1973, MAIP has connected more than 2,400 college students of Asian/Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, multiracial and multiethnic backgrounds, who are aspiring advertising professionals nationwide. Many MAIP participants have gone on to make careers in the industry.

"For 40 years MAIP has served three goals: provide a platform for students to launch their careers, give agencies access to top student talent, and strengthen the 4A's efforts to enhance the diversity of our industry," said Nancy Hill, President-CEO, 4A's. "With growing competition from creative companies that are business-driven, including tech companies and start-ups, it's incumbent on us to promote the advertising and media space as a career option; MAIP is one way we're collectively tackling this issue."

This year's talented group of MAIP interns includes students from Brown University, Syracuse University, and VCU Brand Center, who will intern at over 70 participating 4A's member agencies. Please see below for entire list.

"Agencies can greatly benefit from attracting people with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives, ultimately leading to more creative and inspiring thinking and work," added Hill. "Inclusion is good for business."

MAIP has fostered a network of award-winning alumni, known as the "MAIP Alumni Association," that have been recognized by top advertising organizations and award shows including ADCOLOR, the Addys, The One Club, Clio Awards, Effie Awards, Obie Awards and Cannes Lions. The Alumni Association is the embodiment of the 4A's values: Leadership, Advocacy, Guidance, and Community and uses a robust digital and social media network to connect an exponentially growing alumni community with agency members, professional development and mentorship opportunities, and various ways to give back to the community.

Notable MAIP alumni who have launched successful careers in advertising and marketing include Lawrence Teherani-Ami, Director of Global Media at Wieden + Kennedy, Fernando Fernandez, Chief Client Officer and founder of d'exposito & Partners, and Saneel Radia, EVP, Product Innovation at VivaKi, among others.

"The MAIP program was an incredible experience," Lawrence Teherani-Ami shares. "It was a tough, competitive program that I still can't believe accepted me. The internship opened the door to a whole new world for me, and others... I have hired at least five interns from the program. It's now 28 years later, and I still love what I do."

For more information about the 4A's and MAIP please visit www.aaaa.org.

About MAIP (Multicultural Advertising Intern Program)
Forty years ago, MAIP introduced approximately 10 interns to the world of advertising. Eager to learn and develop, these interns initiated MAIP's legacy of supplying your agencies with world-class multicultural talent, who have influenced all facets of our industry. Since then, MAIP has evolved into a professional development program that impacts the lives of more than 100 interns annually by providing the platform to launch their careers. 2013 is a landmark year for our industry's program and it's because of this community's support and dedication throughout the years, MAIP has transformed over 2,400 individuals' dreams and aspirations into reality.

About the 4A's
The 4A's is the national trade association of the advertising agency business. Its membership comprises virtually all of the large, multinational agencies and hundreds of small and mid-sized agencies from across the country. The 1,200 member agency offices served by the 4A's employ 65,000 people, offer a wide range of marketing communications services, and place 80 percent of all national advertising. The management-oriented association founded in 1917 helps its members build their businesses, and acts as the industry's spokesperson with government, media, and the public sector. For more information, visit the 4A's Web site at www.aaaa.org.

Agencies that hosted MAIP interns include: