By Brian Bohl

A major CEO advised marketing students on the importance of their dreams and surviving in the competitive business.

Donny Deutsch, whose company, Deutsch Inc., was featured on the “The Apprentice,” delivered a lecture in Breslin Hall on Wednesday. The topics ranged from the structure of his company to his current appearances on CNBC.

Deutsch oversees a company that is responsible for over 1,000 employees. The marketing communications firm is believed to be worth around $2.7 billion. He told students that despite the lucrative opportunities the advertising industry offers, their decision to enter the business should not be based purely for financial reasons.

“If you are driven by money, this is probably not the business for you,” Deutsch said. “My advice is to find something you love for a career.”

Deutsch said, the marketing industry offers many benefits outside of monetary concerns.

“Everyday is different in advertising. The amazing thing is that there are no rules, your opinion is as good as anyone else,” Deutsch said.

Deutsch Inc. is the 10th largest marketing communications company in the United States. Some of the company’s clients include Mitsubishi Motors, Bank of America, and the Coors Brewing Company.

After many years of working with companies strictly in the United States, Deutsch Inc. is starting to take on clients internationally. The expansion of business was facilitated by the company’s recent affiliation with parent company Interpublic in 2000.

While his lecture focused on the advertisement business, much of the advice dispensed was applicable to many other fields in the corporate world.

Among the poignant advice Deutsch recommended students to surround themselves with people smarter than them.

“Don’t be intimidated by them,” he said.

Deutsch also shared some of the qualities he keeps in mind when hiring new people.

“I always look for someone who has the most to prove. I look for people who are smart, ambitious, and just a little off (from normal). I want to see that they are hungry and passionate,” Deutsch said.

“Every successful person that I’ve met had the same quality of ‘why not me?’ Go for what you want. If you like what you do, you will be happy,” he said.

Deutsch currently has his appearances on CNBC to occupy his free time away from the company. He started his relationship with the company after several appearances as substitute co-host on “Kudlow & Cramer.” After hosting a series of one hour specials, he will finally get his own show on the networked called “The Big Idea.”

“My training in advertising helped me for the show. I think it was a better training ground than being a pure journalist,” Deutsch said.

Deutsch ended the session by encouraging students to “always find new mountains (challenges) to climb.”

The event left many students energized and inspired to continue on their way into the marketing business.

“I will walk away from this presentation not only with a greater knowledge of advertising, but also realizing how dynamic advertising truly is,” junior, Rachel Oberlander said.

Donny Deutsch, whose company was featured on NBC´s reality series, “The Apprentice,” spoke to business students. (Brain Bohl/The Chronicle)