By: Bianca De Paz

Olivia Ginsberg, an Advertising senior and Editor in Chief of Distraction Magazine, was recently awarded an advertising excellence award and nominated for an advertising leadership award.

Each year, the Department of Strategic Communication hosts the PRADDY awards to recognize the most deserving and talented students as voted by the department’s faculty.

After receiving her award, she reflects on her incredible four years at the University of Miami’s School of Communication and how it has shaped her into the individual she is today.

“It is so crazy to see where I am now compared to where I was as a confused freshman,” Ginsberg explains. “It feels amazing to not only feel confident in yourself but have other people recognize your work ethic.”

Being the Editor in Chief of Distraction Magazine this past year made her realize that you don’t receive a physical trophy for what you’ve worked on with other activities.

“There’s so much that goes into the magazine, from photoshoots to writing, to making sure all these people are on the same page, that in the end having this actual physical thing is really rewarding to me,” Ginsberg said.

Ginsberg noted that her favorite cover for Distraction Magazine is the upcoming month’s issue.

Since 2018, she has been the Graphic Design Chair for What Matters to U, a moderated series with guests such as Ken Jeong, Megan Rapinoe, and Bill Nye to speak among topics that matter to you. Additionally, she was the graphic designer for the Student Government’s Board of Communications team. At both of these organizations, she’s created consistent print and digital assets within their brand guidelines.

Currently, Ginsberg is a graphic designer for Mochee Social, a women-owned social media agency based here in Miami, creating content for many clients in the real estate, travel, and other luxury markets.

One of her favorite accounts she’s worked on is a CBD company called Jeng.

“I’ve got to almost completely art direct the whole campaign for their socials and that was probably one of the coolest experiences because I saw my idea go from beginning to end,” Ginsberg added.

Her side hustle includes working remotely as a graphic designer at TENET, a lifestyle store based in her hometown, Southampton, NY.

Recently, Ginsberg found out that her semester-long branding project Forbidden Fruit Co. is moving on to nationals for the American Advertising Federation Awards.

“It is one of the most important pieces in my portfolio,” Ginsberg shared.

In her final semester at the University, Ginsberg noted that it is important to speak with your professors to land an internship.

“My advice is to talk to your professors because they will help you get internships or actually talk to the people that come to talk to you in class,” Olivia said.

After graduating, her plans include freelancing for Mochee Social as a graphic designer and taking some time to relax before she jumps into a high-stake agency job, hoping for somewhere in Miami.

Read the latest from Distraction Magazine here: https://issuu.com/abbyleeg/docs/pages