PITTSBURGH – Gatesman, one of the fastest-growing, mid-sized privately owned marketing communications agencies, is pleased to introduce the 2017 Brandtern Experience class: Cassandra Bachik, Sarah Collins, Alexa Condie, Samantha Gatesman, Angela Kilburg, Andy Mendes, Jonathan Panchura, Bethany Stokoski and Colleen Zewe. The latest Brandterns, who will wrap-up their internship on Aug. 11 with a final campaign presentation, were carefully selected from a competitive pool of more than 400 applicants – the largest ever for the Gatesman program.

“The Brandtern Experience is an increasingly competitive internship program that challenges young professionals to perform at the highest standards and prepares them for a career in an agency setting,” said Shannon Baker, President, Gatesman. “We’re impressed with the strong abilities and driven attitudes our 2017 Brandtern class demonstrated and are eager to see all that they will accomplish in the future.”

The Brandtern Experience, which launched in 2009, is a summer internship providing students with agency experience, professional mentorship and hands-on, professional training. In addition to assisting the agency with client work, Brandterns function as their own in-house agency. They plan, execute and monitor their own campaign focused on enhancing the Brandtern Experience.

The 2017 Brandterns were selected from 407 applicants. The interview process featured the “Limelight” interview, which mimics a shark-tank style pitch, giving applicants the opportunity to meet with senior management team members to discuss their background and skillset. If their experience is a match for the position, applicants move on to the final round, which consists of one-on-one interviews with members of their prospective departments. In the case of public relations and social media Brandterns, a writing test is also a consideration for final selection.

Bachik, a senior at Allegheny College majoring in communication arts, joined the account management team this summer. She previously interned with Corazon, Inc., a consulting firm, and TrueSense, a marketing agency.

Collins is entering her senior year at Elon University and is pursuing a degree in strategic communications and media analytics. She assisted with account planning, having gleaned experience from previous internships with Post Script Productions and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.

Condie, a recent Robert Morris University graduate, joined the project management team for her second consecutive year as a Brandtern. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and previously interned with Beyond Spots and Dots Agency.

Gatesman joined the media team from Clarion University, where she is currently pursuing a degree in digital media. The second semester junior is an active member of the National Broadcasting Society. She is also a director of remote TV broadcasts for Clarion Athletics.

Kilburg, a graphic design senior at Moravian College, joined the creative team this summer. Last year, she won first place in the Society of Publication Design’s National Student Design Competition and subsequently interned with Bloomberg Businessweek.

Mendes, a junior advertising major at Syracuse University, joined the creative team as a copywriter. His multiple leadership roles at Syracuse’s The Newhouse Agency fully prepared him to assist the creative team this summer.

Panchura, a senior at Penn State majoring in information science and technology, worked with the digital team this summer. A skilled computer coder, he has experience building his own computers and researching emerging technologies.

Stokoski, who joined Gatesman as a public relations and social media Brandtern, studies public relations at DePaul University. Prior to Gatesman, she interned for ID Public Relations and Zapwater Communications, Inc. She also wrote for fashion blogs, such as CollegeFashionista.com and WhatRUWearing.net.

Zewe, a senior at Saint Mary’s College, worked with the public relations and social media team this summer. She previously interned with UPMC, Girls on the Run and Penn Avenue Eyewear. She is a reporter for the University of Notre Dame student newspaper.

To catch up with the 2017 Brandtern class, like their page on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.  

About Gatesman:
Gatesman is one of the fastest-growing, mid-size, privately owned agencies in the U.S. With offices in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Springfield, Mo., Gatesman is a fully integrated, independent marketing communications agency with expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, digital, public relations, social media, media planning and buying, and insights/analytics. Gatesman is a partner in AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, and IPREX, a global communications network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.