Student ad agency begins partnership with SIFE
Wendy Denton, the Assistant Director for Service-Learning in the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, approached three students at the end of May about forming a student ad agency. Denton’s goal was to provide students from different disciplines an opportunity to gain experience in their field of study.
“It seemed like a natural solution to ask students to address this community need,” said Denton.
Natalie Demarko, a senior journalism major, was the project manager as well as a writer for the project. Jessica Baker, a sophomore graphic design major, was responsible for the overall look of the project. Erick Pezoa, a sophomore computer science major, was in charge of designing and maintaining a functioning website. The three students decided to call their ad agency Advertising Solutions.
“We felt the name was appropriate because it describes the services we are trying to provide to nonprofits,” said Demarko, “Our ad agency provides a solution to the services that many nonprofits cannot afford.”
Demarko and Pezoa met with Bob Olliff, the executive director, and Carey Melton, the executive assistant, of the United Way of Southeast Georgia and discussed the overall direction and mission of the project. Advertising Solutions decided to make a high-quality Prezi presentation that will be used by United Way advocates throughout the community.
Collaboratively the three worked together to accomplish the project during the summer. The project was completed at the beginning of September and presented to the United Way. Recently the team presented their finished project along with the idea of the ad agency to Matt Chambers, president of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
“The ad agency is a perfect partnership that provides local nonprofits with affordable print and web media while giving the students valuable experience for their future careers in their respective areas of expertise,” said Chambers.
After evaluating their presentation, SIFE accepted their ad agency proposal and plan to continue this business venture.
Pezoa and Baker are currently working on their next client.
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