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 For the seventh consecutive fall semester, Whitworth students applied the lessons from their marketing and digital-design classes to marketing promotion plans and related media they developed for Spokane-area business clients. Each year, student teams in the Integrated Marketing Communications class research their client and its customers and develop a custom promotional plan for that particular business. Students in the art department's Digital Imaging class then use their expertise to develop a wide range of marketing pieces for the client, such as print advertisements, brochures, coupons, business cards, logos and webpage designs.
"This class project is extremely useful for our students as they work toward gaining a realistic picture of what working with clients is all about," says Scott Kolbo, associate professor of art.
Brad Sago, professor of marketing, says that the collaboration between marketing and art classes allows students to see a broader, more realistic perspective of the workplace. "Cooperation between classes from two different departments offers students a more comprehensive experience and a chance for them to better understand the challenges that advertising agencies face," Sago says.
This semester-long process culminates in formal presentations to the clients. Students outline the benefits of the plans and art pieces, and they give the businesses budgets, schedules and evaluation criteria to gauge the effectiveness of the overall promotional campaign. To enhance student experience, clients are asked to critique each plan and presentation.
"In addition to allowing students to apply what they have been learning in a real-world setting, this process provides marketing and art majors with another experience that will enhance their attractiveness and value to future employers," Sago says.
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