Scripps student named top advertising student in the nation

Scripps College of Communication senior Strategic Communication Major Isabel Mattern is the top advertising student in the nation. Mattern, who is from Mason, Ohio, was recently name the 2024 Most Outstanding Stickell Fellow.

“Being recognized as the top student among the 20 talented Stickell Fellows nationwide is an incredible milestone,” said Mattern. “Throughout this experience, I had the privilege of working with some of the best and brightest in advertising, honing my skills, and learning from industry leaders.”

“A university can only submit one student for this fellowship, and it is highly competitive,” said E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Professor Craig Davis, who nominated Mattern last school year. "The fact that Isabel was the best intern out of the 20 already chosen for the Stickell is even more impressive. She is ready to hit the ground running in the profession.”

The Vance and Betty Lee Stickell Fellowship was established in 1989 in honor of Vance L. Stickell (1925 -1987), former Executive Vice President, Marketing, for the Los Angeles Times. Each year, a handful of outstanding students are selected for a 10-week internship at U.S. media organizations, advertising agencies and client and supplier companies. The program, which is jointly administered by the Los Angeles Times and the American Advertising Federation, is intended to raise awareness and understanding of advertising processes and business ethics among future advertising professionals.

Mattern got the opportunity to intern last summer with CALLEN, an advertising agency in Austin, Texas.

“At CALLEN, I got to work with huge companies like Disney+, Netflix and Carl’s Junior,” said Mattern. “Afterwards, I wrote a reflection on the experience and so did my internship manager. The Stickell Fellowship Advisory Board reads all the internship reflections and picks a Most Outstanding Stickell Fellow. This award now means I get to be on the Stickell Fellowship Advisory Board.”

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Mattern is currently the president of the Hugh M. Culbertson Scripps PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) Chapter at Ohio University. When she was in high school, Mattern thought she wanted to study nursing, but her mother changed her mind.

“My mom thought that was a terrible idea,” said Mattern with a laugh. “She made me take a personality test that said I would be great in a communication and advertising position. So, that’s the direction I decided to go in.”

Mattern is working at the new student-run advertising agency located in Sing Tao Center called NEXT‽.

“Isabel is providing true leadership at the agency and on her accounts,” said NEXT‽ Managing Director Chuck Borghese. “She is contributing creatively and managing our relationships with our clients like a seasoned professional.”

After graduation this May, Mattern hopes to use the experience she’s gained to get a job working in client services and management at an advertising agency.

“My internship at CALLEN really helped me figure out what I want to do,” said Mattern. “I realize I want to be the person that connects the creative team to the client. I’m really excited to see what the future holds.”