Every so often, an opportunity comes along when college students get to embark on something monumental; an opportunity where the classroom is the real world and the problems come from a client, not a homework assignment.

Last Wednesday, the culmination of one such opportunity arose when Jacht Club, the first student-run ad agency in Lincoln, opened its doors in its new home located in the Haymarket next to Scooter’s. The agency will provide students the opportunity to work with real clients and to develop and execute strategies based on principles learned from advertising courses at the university.

Students and faculty members of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, as well as community professionals and other supporters, celebrated the agency’s commencement at Wednesday’s open house. At the event, Jacht Club students gave tours, answered attendees’ questions and gave a presentation in which they expressed their excitement for the opportunity and detailed some of the projects they’ll be working on.

The space in the Haymarket that Jacht Club occupies was provided by Nebraska Global after they listened to the student agency’s pitch back in December. In addition to the space, the company provided Jacht Club with computers, software and office furniture. Professor Amy Struthers, head of the advertising and public relations program at UNL, lauded Patrick Smith and Steve Kiene of Nebraska Global for their tremendous support in getting the agency up and running.

Starting a student agency is no easy task. As of last year, there were only around 20 agencies at schools across the country; many of which were not successful. But Jacht Club believes there’s something unique that sets them apart from other student agencies that have failed.

“This is not an agency built by faculty or based on the way agencies have operated in the past; instead, this is truly a collaborative startup with students taking the lead,” Struthers said.

Professor Struthers, along with members of the local advertising community, will provide guidance for the students should they need it. Local agencies offering their support include Archrival, Swanson Russel, Bailey Lauerman and Thought District. Special support will come from UNL ad alum and CEO of BBH New York, Greg Andersen. Also providing guidance will be Kiene and Smith, who will serve as mentors in entrepreneurship and business.

Jacht Club started out humbly with just 13 students, but will double its membership to 26 students in the fall. The agency will offer several services including logo and brand development as well as poster and website design.

“We see ourselves as an ad lab,” Struthers said. “A place where we can work with clients and other agencies to innovate with brands and for brands on mobile platforms with new media, through social media and with all the new technologies and channels evolving.”

Jacht Club gives students an opportunity they can’t find in a classroom. It’s a lesson no book can teach them and an experience no professor can explain. With the sustained support of advertising faculty and community professionals, the student agency will sail smoothly down the path to success for years to come.