Marketing People - What is this jobbledygook?

[Dionysus]

I'm planning to go into advertising when I graduate. However, there's a high chance that I might get a marketing internship this semester. I'm not that familiar with marketing that isn't the advertising chunk. Yesterday, I recieved a detailed internship description and I was confused by some of the descriptions.

Assist the Assistant Director in working with ******, the *****'s
marketing company, in implementing the campus-wide strategic marketing plan.

Ok, what is a strategic marketing plan?

Assist in the coordination and implementation of marketing events

What exactly goes on at marketing events?

[33girl]

I would guess basically publicizing the different facets of the campus, and marketing events are publicity events. Some people just seem to think "publicity" is a dirty word - too associated with Hollywood and films and such.

[ZTAngel]

Originally posted by Dionysus


Assist the Assistant Director in working with ******, the *****'s
marketing company, in implementing the campus-wide strategic marketing plan.

Ok, what is a strategic marketing plan?

Assist in the coordination and implementation of marketing events

What exactly goes on at marketing events?

A strategic marketing plan is basically a list of things that the business/organization wants to implement over a specific time period. It's a list of goals such as people they want to target, how many people they want to get involved, and how much money they hope to receive from their marketing efforts and it states how they're going to implement each of these objectives to get their desired effect.

A marketing event is more Public Relations oriented. It's basically an event to try to raise awareness about the organization that is hosting the event. Since you're working for a school, you'll probably be doing a lot of student awareness events at the Student Union and planning/coordinating get-togethers or conferences.

Hope this helps!

[Rudey]

This sounds like some x-rated bullshit. They ask you to take off your clothes. I talked with someone who said brand-management is better if you're into marketing so look into that because this sounds like they're shooting porn or something.

-Rudey

[emleepc]

That's ridiculous, Rudey! I think marketing for a university would be a great job to have.....

[Rudey]

Originally posted by emleepc
That's ridiculous, Rudey! I think marketing for a university would be a great job to have.....

Maybe but if they ask you to take your shirt off, I would run.

-Rudey

[AXJules]

Sounds legit...although its more in the pr vein than advertising..if you want to be an advertising account coordinator this could help, otherwise for adv. I don't know how applicable the experience would be.

Either way, I say go for it. You may find out you HATE pr or really love it.

And Rudes...what would we do without your nonjoking, completely serious and informative posts???

[PennyCarter]

To add to what ZTAngel said...think very strategic with the marketing plan. Its about how all the areas of marketing (research, advertising, selling, pr, promotions, etc.) fit together.

Also event marketing is a huge growing area. It can include sponsorships of events (think about what you're seeing on the olympics right now), there's also trade shows (usually more business to business), mobile marketing (like the oscar mayer weiner mobile), and other stuff too.

Brand management is a great area of marketing...it encompasses all aspects of marketing. It is very difficult to get into without a masters and some work experience. It is usually best to work for at least a couple of years in some area of marketing (sales and market research are great areas, but I'm sure advertising would be good too) then get an MBA.

Hope this helps!

[krazy]

It sounds like PR... Be careful, most positions advertised as "Marketing" or "Advertising" end up being PR or Sales. And there is nothing wrong with PR and Sales, but if it is NOT what you want to do, it can be frustrating... Make sure you aren't just going to be handing out flyers, etc.. Another phrase to look out for is "street team", which means you will be knocking on doors... Not always the case, but usually...

[hunnie843]

Yes, but please remember that PR is NOT sales...My specialty is PR and it sometimes gets a bad rap. PR is a integrated marketing communications function, sales is just that...door-to-door, telephone, etc. PR is a great function and, if done correctly, is a craft all its own.

(Sorry for the tangent, I just feel like it needed to be said somewhere)

[Dionysus]

What is direct marketing? Is that when you go to campuses and events to hand out things?

[Little E]

I did a tele-marketing stint and they called it 'direct marketing'

[SnowLady]

http://www.businessplans.org/Market.html

Here's some reading up on the Strategic Marketing Plan.

Having worked in three different ad agencies - all a little different - one very industrial b2b, to a marketing agency that was really a PR agency (and that was OK, just not my favorite area of marketing) and a large agency with retail and b2b clients my mind is spinning with the possibilities.

Most stuff an intern does will not seem all that glamorous - depending on the agency. But also keep in mind that a lot of elbow grease in the tedious stuff helps you get more than a leg in on the more stragtegic work. Expect (unless they don't allow you to work over b/c of budgetary issues) to work long hours and to account for every 15 minutes of your day. At first I hated that part - but then came to enjoy it!

Before the interview it would be good to look at all materials you can get your hands on - how does the University market itself to a) students both undergrad and doctorial - if that applies and current and potential, b) parents, c) alumni, d) ticket holders (if it's a large school with a strong athletic program), e) to the community around them (how do they say they help the community), f) to the confernece they belong to and g) what is their competitive advantage (this could be kinda long from a department by department sense or is there a major that your university is known for - smaller institution).

Go to the admissions office and pick up the newest mailer to students. Go to the website and look at it from a marketing prospective - how does the university sell itself to it's various publics. Remember all the mailings you got as both a prospective student and as a student. What did they send your parents (if anything.)

Most of this is overkill for an internship - but to get an idea of what the university does as a marketing company will help you gain a competetive advantage over the other candidates.

[PrincessPhiSig]

Originally posted by AXJules
Sounds legit...although its more in the pr vein than advertising..if you want to be an advertising account coordinator this could help, otherwise for adv. I don't know how applicable the experience would be.

Either way, I say go for it. You may find out you HATE pr or really love it.

And Rudes...what would we do without your nonjoking, completely serious and informative posts???

I agree completely. Go for the internship. I got a job in advertising right out of college. I had 4 internships during college- mutual fund accounting, interned at a credit union as assistant manager, did PR for a cycling place, and worked as a market researcher at a newspaper. None were very related to what I do now, except for the market research. Internship experience is valuable, no matter the position/industry.

In what capacity do you plan to work in advertising? On the creative side, acct. mgmt., or media-planning, buying, research? My friends that are planners and buyers have diverse backgrounds and majors. My best advice would be to get involved with advertising-related clubs and activities at school. If you have any questions or anything, feel free to PM me.