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Well, I have completed one of my comprehensive exams. It was the exam on research methods. The questions centered around the predominant epistemologies, theoretical perspectives, and methodologies used in social science research. I had to discuss each epistemology, relate it to its corresponding theoretical perspectives and methodologies, then discuss how I would conduct research on my dissertation topic if I were to use each of the epistemologies. It was actually a good exercise. I think I have gained perspective on how different people use research.

Next week is my advertising comp. I am a little worried about that one. I will write soon to let you know how it went.

Last night I had a truly unique experience in Texas. One of our friends invited us to the championship game of the Texas Rollergirls, a flat-track roller derby. We started the night at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon, a bar on Burnet road with a very special Sunday-afternoon lineup. The Dale Watson Band played, Ginny gave out free Ginny dogs, people brought lawn chairs to sit in the parking lot because the place was so packed. The funniest moment came when they announced it was time to buy tickets for “Chicken Shit Bingo,” a bingo game with a special bingo board made underneath a chicken cage. Whichever number the chicken goes on, that person gets $100.

As it that wasn’t enough excitement, we then went to Rollergirls. This was my first experience at the roller derby, so it was especially interesting. The girls are tough, the crowd is tough, the people selling souvenirs are tough. It was crazy. So, that was my very special Texas night.

I am on the execuive board for a new organization called AdTip (www.AdTip.org) dedicated to bridging advertising theory and practice. The organization is still forming (right now I am working on copy for the website), but it is a much needed way for industry and academia to communicate. We have a section where industry professionals can tell scholars which types of topics are new, cutting edge, and offer value to the practice. Further, we have an area where students and professors can post executive summaries in “business speak” instead of “academic speak” (which is a tough transition for academics to make). I think the topics suggested by professionals can benefit Master’s students when searching for a topic for their thesis or professional report. In any case, I really think this organization could offer a benefit to the advertising industry, both scholars and practitioners. Now we just have to wait and see if they agree.

This week, my studying is focused around the topic of structure. I am reading Mintzberg’s “The Structuring of Organizations” in an attempt to define the current structure of advertising agencies as well as develop a structure which may be more suitable. I am noticing a lot about the current structure of the advertising agency, which seems most closely related to the “matrix” design. Many of the faults of the matrix design, such as becoming top-heavy and having subordinates who worship too many masters, seem to apply to agency life. Now all I need to do is figure out a better way to organize it. That should be interesting.

Welcome to my blog! I am an advertising doctoral student at the University of Texas. This summer I am preparing for my comprehensive exams, which I will take in September. “Comps,” as they are called, take the form of four, half-day exams where we receive three to five questions from our committee members and are asked to write in length to answer the questions to the best of our ability. The tests are closed-book, and it’s best to be able to cite past academic research in formulating answers. Luckily, one of the students in my cohort, Jodi, is on the same comps schedule, so we are studying together. Right now, we are focusing on studying for our advertising comp and our research comp. I’ll write in soon and let you know how it’s going.