NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Manhattan isn't a deserted island, but if you ask anyone in advertising, it can be a jungle.

One ad firm got a new queen last week after crowning Annie O'Rourke the winner of its week-long "Account Executive Survivor."

O'Rourke was one of eight would-be account executives vying for an entry-level job during the week-long competition, hosted by DiMassimo Brand Advertising.

Taking a cue from the television program, the agency's founder and creative director Mark DiMassimo invited the eight finalists to live and work at the agency during the competition, where they competed in a series of advertising-related tasks.

Some of the specific tasks included developing a new advertising campaign for the Plaza Hotel, creating "buzz" through New York City for Crunch Fitness on a $500 budget, and handling a simulated client crisis.

Each contestant was assigned to a mentor, who guided them through the competition, and a free one-week pass to Crunch, where they showered each morning. And at the end of each day, contestants taped their confessional pleas before the voting-off process began.

Mark DiMassimo, creative director and CEO of DiMassimo Brand Advertising, and contest winner Annie O'Rourke talk about the job race. Play video (Real or Windows Media)

The competition was quickly winnowed down to six contestants by the second day and another two were booted off before the winner was chosen from the final four contestants.

"It really came down to the people who really wanted it the most," said managing partner Lee Goldstein.

"[O'Rourke] just exemplified what we were looking for: leadership, creativity, courage and resilience. And she just got better and better as the week progressed."

Goldstein declined to disclose O'Rourke's compensation, other than saying it will be between $25,000 and $30,000. That may be several thousands of dollars short of the $1 million Richard Hatch -- the winner of the first Survivor television show -- took home, but the 22-year-old Cornell graduate doesn't seem to mind.

O'Rourke, who found out about the competition after registering at her school's career services office and has no prior advertising experience, entered the competition as a means of gaining some insight into the industry.

"This week was almost like an internship in itself," O'Rourke declared.

"There were definitely some times when we felt some pressure, because of the deadlines and presentations, but overall we really just had so much fun and learned so much," she added.