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October 2009 Marketing Buzz

 The Marketing Department has a Brand New Gig

By Ryan Simpson

We're gettin the band back together

Marketing department faculty and students are ready to rock out at homecoming. (From left) Dr. Ron Clark on saxophone, Dr. Chuck Hermans on guitar, Dr. Melissa Burnett on the cowbell, and Dr. Sarah Smith on guitar.

With a homecoming theme of “The Ultimate Adventure,” the more musically inclined Marketing Department faculty set off on a rock n’ roll "tour."  Faculty members have formed a band and will play "hits" during the traditional MSU homecoming parade, October 31.  “It’s going to be fun, and it’s going to be loud,” remarked Dr. Charles Hermans who will be on guitar.  It will also be moving as the band plays on a 50 foot trailer that serves as a stage and parade float.  Other band members include Dr. Sarah Smith on guitar, Fred Netzer, husband of Marketing Department Academic Administrative Assistant II Konya Knackstedt, on drums, Dr. Ron Clark on saxophone, and Dr. Melissa Burnett on the ‘ubiquitous’ cowbell.  According to Burnett, she plans to have her instrument “featured heavily due to past criticisms over how little the cowbell has been used.”

Some lucky fans of the rock n’ roll/marketing combination have been given "backstage passes" to hold signs on stage and pass out information and rock n’ roll beads to parade attendees.  Onlookers are encouraged to sing along and become “marketing heroes.”  The band will be pumping out familiar tunes all morning.  Apologies are offered in advance to anyone who wakes up to Enter Sandman.

Marketing Hero Tee

The front of the Marketing Hero t-shirt is genuine rock n' roll attire.

To solidify your status as a “marketing hero,” students, alumni, and faculty can purchase t-shirts made especially for the event for $10 from Konya Knackstedt in the Marketing Department office, Glass 238, prior to the event.  The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. so come early and pick out a great spot along the parade to rock freely.

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After the parade, Dr. Robin Luke, Marketing Department Head, will be cooking up traditional tailgate fare (hotdogs) and registering guests to win prizes in a raffle at the COBA tent in Bearfest Village.  Beginning at 10 am, the grill fires up and registration will open for a chance to win Missouri State memorabilia such as basketballs signed by either the entire Men or Women’s Missouri State Bears Basketball teams.  Winners will be announced later that afternoon at the tent where you entered to win.  Finally, don’t forget Missouri State takes on the Illinois State Redbirds at 1:30 at Plaster Sports Complex.

The Marketing Department is ready to rock and have fun this homecoming.  Be there for the excitement and to show your pride.

 

 MSU's Ad Team Continues to Make State and National Impact

By Ryan Simpson

This past spring the Missouri State Advertising Team was once again making an impact on the world outside the University.  After winning back-to-back national championships, the MSU group was asked by Tony Sgro, CEO, Edventure Partners, to design for the FBI and Department of Homeland Security an innovative recruitment website for their joint internship.  “When considering this project, I basically had pick of the litter from universities across the nation.  I called Dr. [Melissa] Burnett and the Ad Team,” said Sgro.

In May, the team traveled toWashington D.C. and presented the new NSI website to the FBI and DHS at their respective headquarters.  “Those who saw the new site were astounded by the improvements the Ad Team made and were excited to implement the changes to the website as soon as possible,” says Dr. Burnett.

Ad Team with Deputy Undersecretary Jane Holl Lute

The Missouri State University Advertising Team in Washington D.C. with Deputy Undersecretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Tony Sgro, CEO of Edventure Partners, and other members of their organizations.

Nationalsecurityinternship.com is where high performing college seniors with specific language skills can apply to experience life as an intern in the U.S. Intelligence Community.  They travel to Washington D.C., take classes at George Washington University, gain top security clearance, and do real work for the FBI and DHS.  “It’s a tremendous opportunity and the Ad Team communicated the benefits beautifully. Hits to the site are up 400%,” remarked Sgro during a recent web meeting with the Ad Team.

After finishing the NSI website, Ryan Simpson, Samantha Francka, Meghan Walters, and Megan Killion of the Ad Team began work on the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relation’s new logo and tagline project.  They worked in conjunction with the department and helped create a logo and tagline that better represents what the agency does every day for Missouri industries and their workers.

The Ad Team was offered the opportunity after news of their earlier successes with the American Public Transportation Association and Intelligence Community campaigns reached the ears of Chris Moreno, formerly of DOLIR.  “We were thinking of how to develop this new image for the department and I realized we have a nationally recognized advertising team right here in Missouri,” said Moreno.  The new logo can be seen on all DOLIR publications.