WELCOME
ABOUT ME
I'm Mariana Bakus, an advertising student who thinks in systems and writes with intention. I don't start with how something looks; I start with what's happening in culture and work backwards. My best ideas come from weird rabbit holes and figuring out how a brand can live inside that moment without forcing it. To continue learning outside of class, I analyze advertising, film, and cultural trends. Outside the creative bubble, you’ll find me lost in music, film, or a random history rabbit hole. Scroll to see more of me!
☀️ THINGS I LIKE
🎸MUSIC logged ~100,000 Spotify minutes last year. I don't want to talk about it.
🌿 Walks in nature as they're the only socially acceptable excuse to do nothing.
🎾 Whatever sport I'm currently obsessed with (tennis will do for now).
🎬 Movies that make you feel like you need to sit quietly in the dark afterwards (Mulholland Drive, Memento, Black Swan).
📺 TV shows that focus on morally compromised people in suits (Succession, Industry, Mad Men 😉).
⭐ EDUCATION
Michigan State University, 2024-2027
Bachelor of Science in Advertising Management
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Dean's List Scholar
🌵 SKILLS
Microsoft Office Suite 🌵 Google Workspace 🌵 Canva 🌵 CapCut 🌵 Clipchamp 🌵 Figma 🌵 Adobe Creative Suite 🌵 Photoshop 🌵 Audition 🌵 Premiere Pro 🌵 HTML 🌵 CSS 🌵 SPSS 🌵
Brand Strategy 🤠 Copywriting 🤠 Editorial Writing 🤠 Consumer Insight 🤠 Cultural Research 🤠 Trend Analysis 🤠 Competitive Analysis 🤠 Social Media 🤠 Qualitative Research 🤠 Quantitative Analysis 🤠 Brand Voice Alignment 🤠 Campaign Concepting 🤠 Data Coding & Categorization 🤠 Attention to Detail 🤠 Customer Service 🤠 Presenting 🤠