about ad 2 milwaukee

we’re a nonprofit networking organization run by and for young professionals (18-32yrs) in advertising, marketing, and design.

our club efforts focus on:

  • collaboration
  • national, local networking
  • education
  • skill-building
  • diversity, equity, inclusion
  • career advancement
  • authentic relationships
  • personal growth
ad camp attendees hangout by the fire

education

we connect young professionals to internship opportunities with local agencies and host workshops, panel discussions, and agency crawls throughout the year.

public service

every year, our public service team contributes their talent to create ad campaigns for local nonprofits in need of our help. check out our 2021 client, providence pointe.

diversity, equity, inclusion

we commit to recruiting individuals with a passion for advertising, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status and other diverse backgrounds.

networking

build meaningful connections with your peers around milwaukee and across the country. we host events that feature talented professionals and advertising agencies.

ad 2 milwaukee’s network expands across the country.

our parent organization is ad 2 national—and we’re repping milwaukee! ad 2 national is the young professional division of the american advertising federation (aaf), the largest advertising advocacy group in the united states.

map of ad 2 national and chapters across the u.s.

since we don’t have an aaf chapter like other cities do, ad 2 milwaukee is 100% self-funded. we count on the support from ad 2 national and aaf district 8 along with grassroots fundraising and partnerships to host events for young professionals in milwaukee.

every year, ambassadors of ad 2 milwaukee and other ad 2 chapters also get together with ad 2 national to collaborate in leadership workshops and celebrate community achievements.

our purpose is to prepare young advertising professionals (18-32yrs) with the skills, insight, and connections needed to self-improve and become future leaders in their communities.

our vision is to put milwaukee’s advertising hub on the map for our talent’s ingenuity, collaboration, and creativity.

we commit to recruiting individuals with a passion for advertising, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status and other diverse backgrounds.

all club revenue goes right back into ad 2 milwaukee, so we can continue hosting free events for members:

  • workshops
  • panel discussions
  • agency crawls
  • overnight retreats
  • fundraisers
  • members-only happy hours

milestones

2022

ad 2 milwaukee rebrand and website launch. to become cohesive with the aaf rebrand (our parent organization), ad 2 milwaukee along with other chapters, updated our brands, all while staying authentic to the cities we represent.

2021

host ad camp 2021: building confidence in yourself and your career.

host 5th annual bags tournament fundraiser.

host digital campfire series: off the page, with nelson schmidt.

implemented dei initiatives by recruiting an education & diversity chair, a new position on the ad 2 milwaukee executive board.

aafclub achievement finalist in public service.

marketing campaign for providence pointe entered in the ad 2 public service competition.

ad 2 milwaukee celebrates 15-year anniversary!

2020—2016
2020

host summer shots.

host our 1st virtual panel discussion, how to make s#*t happen!

2019

host new year, new headshot!

host agency crawl.

host 4th annual bags tournament fundraiser.

host cocktails & candy canes holiday party.

2018

host new year, new headshot!

host 3rd annual bags tournament fundraiser.

host off the page: resume workshop.

2017

host new year, new headshot!

host 2nd annual bags tournament fundraiser.

2016

host new year, new headshot!

host 1st annual bags tournament fundraiser.

host all things summerfest.

2015—2006
2015

host 12 bars of christmas.

2014

ad campaign for safe babies healthy families entered in the ad 2 public service competition.

2013

ad campaign for autism speaks project entered in the ad 2 public service competition.

2009

ad campaign for make a difference wisconsin project entered in the ad 2 public service competition.

2006

ad campaign for pearls for teen girls project entered in the ad 2 public service competition.

ad 2 milwaukee was founded. although ad 2 national was founded in 1947, ad 2 milwaukee was formed in 2006 with the help of a local ad agency, boelter + lincoln. ad2mke also works closely with ad 2 national, aaf district 8 (mn, nd, sd, wi), and aaf national.

board leadership 2021-2022

since we’re a nonprofit, our board members generously volunteer their talent, time, and commitment to improving the careers of aspiring professionals like themselves. read their #whyad2 stories!