Alex Pejcic

This week's speaker was Alex Pejcic, Co Founder and Vice President at Sonic Boom Creative Media. Check out his profile on LinkedIn, or follow him on Twitter @alexpjc.

Alex started Sonic Boom in his basement with a couple friends after graduating university with a degree in psychology. After learning some html and building an online hockey pool for their friends they realized they could make some money building web pages. Started going door to door in Hamilton and everything grew from there. These days Sonic Boom helps clients to embrace and maximize what they can do with interactive media. Alex is really energetic and engaging so it's not very hard to see why he's been so successful.



Sonic Booms' home page is awesome. Love how the background image changes each time you visit.

Alex is also an executive member at SODA, Society of Digital Agencies.


Alex was very candid in his presentation and laid out the ad industry as he sees it for us in no uncertain terms. The main message I took from his presentation is to be passionate, and most of all BE A GOOD PERSON. I like that advice.

Understand Our Industry
-understand that you're in an ecosystem
-you need to understand how things work and strategize

Understand and use Social Media
-you need to know whats out there and have an opinion
-be involved
-always be teaching yourself new things

Here's a diagram he showed us that illustrates the different ways of communicating with the consumer.


What will you need to know?
-meaning and role of a brand, 'more than a logo'
-marketing, 'direct and mass'
-latest trends and technologies, 'social design'

What should I possess
-proven skills in your discipline
-strong portfolio
-references, these go a long way
-willingness to learn
-knowledge of the companies your applying to
-POSITIVE ATTITUDE
-PASSION FOR WHAT YOU DO
-HEAD, HEART AND HANDS

Get noticed, recognized and respected. It takes time.
-join interactive media groups
-submit your portfolio to online communities
-create your own online space
-ask for advice and interviews

DON'T HAVE AN EGO, DON'T BE AN IDIOT AND ALWAYS PAY YOU DUES

-but don't confuse confidence with ego
-be prepared to have a thick skin, people will tear apart your work sometimes
-stick somewhere, don't jump around, and show progression
-look for inspiration outside of what you do

Here's a good interview with Alex from Red Canary about Sonic Boom and the industry.