From The Classroom To The Superdome

April 20, 2007; 12:45 AM

Dallas, TX. – Southwest Mobile Advertising (SMA) in collaboration with The City of Dallas Youth Service Office, Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol & Drug Prevention, is hosting a 6-week program aimed at training 7th - 12th grade students in Adobe photo shop elements. The training program will culminate in a poster contest allowing the students to showcase their work.

“Most often people don’t realize that you can still work in the creative arena, even if you don’t have artistic drawing skills,” says SMA CEO Edrick Laney. “We really believe in creating entrepreneurs, and giving kids the opportunity to learn how to succeed in an industry that is often overlooked in the classroom.”

Using the theme “Build Your Own Legacy”, the students will design a poster promoting the prevention of underage drinking and drug use. All works will be displayed in Dallas City Hall during the month of April, with the winning poster unveiled on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 21st.

“Southwest Mobile has been awesome in their work thus far with the Youth Service Office! Not only are they entrepreneurs in the community, they are entrepreneurs giving back to the community.” Says Candy Coblyn, program manager of the Dallas Youth Development Program. “They are teaching the youth a valuable commodity, and that is how to be life long learners.”

Spearheaded by the SMA creative department, the poster contest and training program includes tips for teens on the effects of alcohol, the legal consequences of underage drinking and how to resist peer pressure. Graphic designer, Marquis Washington, will also be instructing. When asked about the program he responds saying, “It’s like we are looking at younger versions of ourselves when we teach these classes. I appreciate being involved with Southwest Mobile because their dedication to the students is un-matched.”

SMA has been active partners with numerous educational organizations including the United Negro College Fund and Advertising for Education.

SMA also currently manages the creative design of the souvenir program cover for The Bayou Classic. Since 2003 the SMA team has been supervising the design of the program, as well as the design of the print advertising, which is featured in such publications as Ebony Magazine.

The Bayou Classic is broadcast nationally on NBC and is the highest rated African American college football game in history. The 2006 program made history as it followed the theme “Coming Home to The Dome,” for the first classic game held in the Louisiana Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

“That was a very memorable year, because the game was returning home after such a catastrophic event,” says Corey Laney. “It really was an emotional time for everyone involved. Creative Designer, Christopher Rayson did an excellent job creating that program, it will be in the history books.”