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26-Jan-10 1:00 PM CST

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Matt’s Portfolio Class adds new Account Executive/Project Management course.

Matt’s Portfolio Class, a Houston-based advertising school offering classes for undergraduates, interns, junior-level employees and small business owners, has added a third course to its lineup. The new class, called “The Account Side,” is designed to give students a taste of what it’s like to be an Account Executive or Project Manager in an advertising or marketing agency. Students will learn everything from project management techniques and habits of great Account Executives, to dealing with different kinds of clients and getting the best work from Creatives.

Matt’s Portfolio Class tapped Jenn Cox to teach the new class. Cox, a veteran of the advertising and marketing industry, has spent the last 17 years working on both the client and agency sides of the business. She is currently Account Manager at IDEA, one of the largest digital creative agencies in Texas, overseeing the HP account.

In addition to the new course, Matt’s Portfolio Class offers two other classes geared toward the creative side of advertising. “The Big Idea,” taught by IDEA Copywriter Matt Walsh, teaches students what it takes to generate concepts for ads and gives an overview of the advertising industry—working as a creative, how to build a portfolio and how to get into the business. “The Execution,” taught by Art Director Chris Hungate, also at IDEA, helps students take their ideas to the computer, giving them the technical know-how to execute ads and the design sense to do it well. “Taking these kinds of classes gives anyone who wants to work in advertising an edge. It’s an over-saturated market and anything helps to make you stand out,” Hungate says.

Walsh likes to keep things informal in the classes, adding, “We don’t give out grades, but all the work is relevant and we try to give students the same kind of work we do at the agency.”

In addition to providing students with hands-on projects, instructors bring in guest speakers from the advertising and marketing industry. Walsh notes, “We bring as many guests as we can, since what students really need is honest feedback from all perspectives. We bring in art directors, writers, creative directors, account executives, designers—anyone who we think can help and inspire our students. And it never hurts to make connections in the business.”

Matt’s Portfolio Class seems to be doing something right, since many of its former students have landed jobs or internships in Houston and around the country. Former student and current President of the UH AAF Chapter, Mariam Mouna, gives credit to Matt’s Portfolio Class for helping her land an internship at Houston agency, Love Advertising. “When the Creative Director found out I took courses outside of my undergraduate course load, she immediately knew I was serious about working in advertising,” Mouna notes.

Walsh started Matt’s Portfolio Class in the Spring 2008 and has held three sessions since then. “Our goal is simple—to train and keep talent in Houston, which, ultimately, will help Houston become a top-tier ad market,” he says.

The Spring session of Matt’s Portfolio Class starts Febrary 8^th and registration is now open. Students can register and pay online at www.mattsportfolioclass.com. The classes are held in the evenings at the Courtyard on St. James, a favorite location for Houston advertising and marketing events.