Marketing students tackle real PR for local companies

A three-month project is finally drawn to a close for students in the Corporate Communications and Public Relations post-graduate program, who have been working hard to transform the marketing techniques of local technological companies.

As part of their “Emerging Business Technologies” class, 37 students have taken on the immense role of making contact with an immerging technological company, researching the company's use of technology, preparing a marketing piece and presenting their findings.

The students were broken up into six groups and assigned specific companies, such as Knighthunter.com, Core Solutions and the Fanshawe Staff Portal, which just recently launched to college staff.

“Our Program philosophy is; if we can learn through partnering with outside organizations and fulfilling a goal or need they require then it's a win-win situation for everyone,” said Corporate Communications and Public Relations student Erin Clifford, who was assigned to the Fanshawe Staff Portal.

Clifford's team assembled a newsletter for college staff members that encouraged them to use the new portal. The team also introduced an incentive program for Fanshaweonline users who offered feedback to the new technological portal.

“This has been an enlightening process for all of us,” Clifford said. “Any experience we can get will further prepare us for the ‘real world' of public relations. This project in particular has been a great learning experience for all of us.”

This is the first year program facilitators and students have organized a project of this magnitude, although for the past seven years students have been required to coordinate a technological seminar.

In addition to the projects, students also organized a symposium during the last week in November to showcase their findings for local business representatives, program faculty and a panel of judges.

TechAlliance, a consortium of over 200 London technology firms who share information, partnered with the Fanshawe students to make this learning experience possible. Corporate Communications and Public Relations graduate Lindsay Zajac, who is currently the Director of Programs at TechAlliance, along with program coordinator Dana Morningstar, matched companies with student groups.

“Having contacts within our field that know the quality of our work and our dedication to our job will help each of us after we graduate,” said Clifford. “Even if we do not go on to work for these companies, we will still have made contacts in the business who can guide us and potentially give us a reference some day.”