Vladimir Jones establishes Jim and Nechie Hall Scholarship to Denver Ad School & Announce Winner

Logo design by Andrew Brown, current DAD student.

Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo., June 30, 2020 — Following six months of discussion and planning, and commemorating the agency’s 50th year in business, Vladimir Jones (VJ) has established the Jim and Nechie Hall Scholarship to Denver Ad School (DAD). The scholarship will provide full tuition to a student who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend the school for any reason.

 

The namesake scholarship honors Jim and Nechie Hall, who founded the agency on April Fool’s Day (April 1) of 1970. Neither Jim nor Nechie were likely candidates for the advertising profession, much less for starting an agency.

“The Jim and Nechie Hall Scholarship to the Denver Ad School honors our agency’s unique legacy. We want people to know there’s a path to their future, regardless of their past,” said Meredith Vaughan, daughter of the Halls and CEO of VJ since 2014. “With this scholarship, we want to provide an opportunity for a person from any background to enter this industry and thrive. We don’t want debt, fear of not fitting in, or lack of industry experience to hold anyone back.”

DAD, an advertising portfolio school with rolling admission, anticipates awarding the scholarship to a qualified applicant later this fall. DAD students include recent college graduates, career changers, and mid-career advertising professionals wanting to shift or advance their role in the industry.

“We’re thrilled to have VJ’s support in making portfolio school a reality for a new student this year,” said Heather Vanisko, director of DAD. “Given broader economic conditions, a true shakeup in the advertising world, and a new awakening to the need for more diversity, equity and inclusion in our ranks, we’re expecting to hear from a wide range of candidates who are considering our program to help them make their next career move.”

DAD is different from other advertising portfolio schools by length and affordability. The complete program runs 14 months for $16,000, and all teachers are active in the industry.

“The best kind of creativity offers something new and unexpected,” added DAD Founder Jesse Alkire. “We’re stoked to be working with VJ to help more young creatives break into this industry who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to share their unique stories and skills, because our industry needs more people like Jim and Nechie.”

VJ Founder Nechie Hall and current CEO Meredith Vaughan will collaborate with DAD leaders to help select the student who receives the scholarship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Piotr’s Going to Ad School!
Piotr Brozyna has been selected as the inaugural winner of the Jim + Nechie Hall Scholarship. Of the scholarship, he says, it’s “a key to a treasure chest I’ve been trying to unlock for years.”

Read more about the winner here.

 

About Vladimir Jones
Now in our 50th year of business, Vladimir Jones is one of the original independent agencies in the U.S., and we’re proud to be women owned and led. We believe in the power of brilliant brands, and we believe every brand needs a true partner. A true partner moves with agility, thinks big, acts bigger, and sees deeply enough to realize brands’ potential and help them grow. Learn more at vladimirjones.com.

About Denver Ad School
Denver Ad School (DAD) is an advertising portfolio school designed to introduce students to the advertising industry, craft a creative portfolio, and then set them up with their first job at an advertising agency. Started in 2019, DAD offers comprehensive 14-month programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Strategy. Structured to have the feel and pace of an ad agency, all classes are led by active Denver/Boulder agency pros that guide students to produce spec campaigns for real brands. DAD students will finish with agency-ready portfolios showcasing their conceptual and creative abilities, not only giving them an awesome book but also the connections and confidence to land their first job in advertising. Learn more at denveradschool.com.