
On April 2nd, the Hughes-Trigg Ballroom transformed into a gallery of innovative design and storytelling for SMU’s annual Portfolio Night—an event that spotlights the best creative work produced by Advertising majors in the Creative specialization. From 6 to 9 p.m., students, faculty, alumni, and over 60 advertising professionals from over two dozen companies across the country gathered to celebrate.
Portfolio Night offers students the unique opportunity to exhibit their portfolios to industry leaders and receive invaluable feedback. The event featured work from two cohorts: Concepting students—those in their first semester of creative coursework—and Portfolio students, who are in their second or third year and preparing to graduate this May. The exhibition showcased a range of design, copywriting, video, and campaign work.
View the Companies Who Participated in Judging the Show and Portfolio Reviews
- 3Headed Monster
- Beautiful Beast
- Cheil
- Commerce House
- Eisenberg & Associates
- Firehouse
- Golin
- Hothouse (Houston)
- Infinite Agency
- Johnson & Sekin
- Keurig Dr Pepper
- LERMA/
- Moroch
- PMG
- Saatchi & Saatchi
- TPN
- TRG
- Team One
- Tracy-Locke
- Vitro (San Diego)
From hauntingly gritty metaphors on social media addiction to mouthwatering food copy, the evening highlighted the talent and passion of SMU’s student creatives. Professionals were engaged directly with students during the review sessions—offering critiques, encouragement, and even potential career connections.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of these students and the campaigns they got into Portfolio Night. We’ve built something really special here in the Temerlin creative program. Our students are producing work at the highest level, and they deserve all attention they’re getting for it.”
— Mark Allen, Creative Program Director
To recognize their outstanding work, Stan Richards Professor in Creative Advertising Willie Baronet and Creative Program Director Mark Allen presented awards across several categories:
Click to View Awards
Best of Show
Center for Humane Technology “Made to Be Addictive” by Jordan Naivar
Contact: jnaivar@smu.edu

Best TV/Video
Polaroid “More Than a Moment” by Kailyn Sawhny (Art Direction) and Ross Yenerich (Copywriting)
Contacts: ksawhny@smu.edu | ryenerich@smu.edu
Full Video: https://vimeo.com/1052121955
Best Art Direction (Portfolio Cohort)
Birkenstock “Where to Next?” by Spencer Hogan (Art Direction) and Ross Yenerich (Copywriting)
Contacts: srhogan@smu.edu | ryenerich@smu.edu
Best Art Direction (Concepting Cohort)
Mr. Appliance “Appliance Repair Doesn’t Have to Be Scary” by Lucy Kieffer
Contact: lkieffer@smu.edu

Best Copywriting (Portfolio Cohort)
Squatty Potty “The Proper Way to Poop” by Kailyn Sawhny (Art Direction) and Bella Mac (Copywriting)
Contacts: ksawhny@smu.edu | bmac@smu.edu
Best Copywriting (Concepting Cohort)
Miracle-Gro for Christmas Trees “Keep it Real” by Lilly James
Contact: lillyjames@smu.edu

Best Integrated Campaign
Shiner Non-Alcoholic [NA] Beer “Bring Your [N]A Game” by Kailyn Sawhny (Art Direction) and Ross Yenerich (Copywriting)
Contacts: ksawhny@smu.edu | ryenerich@smu.edu

Best Concept
Grin Tongue Scraper “Tongue Breath” by Kaya Lee
Contact: kelee@smu.edu

Best Graphic Design
Hanky Panky Logo by Emma Georghakis
Contact: egeroghakis@smu.edu

Best Craft
National Videogame Museum “Please Play With the Exhibits” by Bernadette Cruz
Contact: brcruz@smu.edu

In addition to these, Judges’ Choice Awards were also given, including distinctions such as “Many Votes Across Multiple Categories” and “Best Logo/Packaging.”
Judge’s Choice: Cross-Category Votes
Sour Patch Kids “Impossibly Sour and Sweet” by Kaya Lee and Olivia Atherton
Contacts: kelee@smu.edu | oatherton@smu.edu

Judge’s Choice: Cross-Category Votes
Calphalon Non-Stick Cookware by Caroline Corcoran
Contact: cfcorcoran@smu.edu

Judge’s Choice: Best Packaging and Logo
Dream Pops by Kailyn Sawhny (Art Direction)
Contact: ksawhny@smu.edu

These honors not only celebrated individual excellence but also reflected the collaborative spirit and passion within SMU’s creative advertising program. It’s clear that SMU’s creative advertising students are not only ready for the industry—they’re ready to shape it.
“Don’t bet against ANY of our students saving the world. I’m so proud of all of them!”
— Willie Baronet, Stan Richards Professor in Creative Advertising
- Click here for the full details on each campaign.
- Want to look more into Temerlin Advertising Institute’s Advertising Program? Click here.
- Watch the reel below to see the artists behind the art:
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