With videos, posters, computer screensavers and more, University of Wisconsin-Stout integrated marketing communications students presented a branding project to the Bridge to Hope, an agency that helps sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking victims.
The students in Professor Kevin McDonald’s two classes presented their projects Dec. 17 to Chancellor Bob Meyer, his wife, Deb Meyer, who is vice chair of the Bridge to Hope’s board of directors, other board members and Executive Director Naomi Cummings.
“I think you did an excellent, professional job,” Cummings said, after the students finished their presentation. “It gave me a lot of hope for the future because you are the future.”
Bob Meyer applauded the students’ work. “I had a great sense of pride,” he said. “Their work was very creative. Kudos to them.”
Deb Meyer said having marketing communications students work on the project for the Bridge to Hope was thrilling. “We have a whole big package,” she said. “I’m really excited. I can visually see this is going to be very doable.”
McDonald said his students "really put their hearts and souls into the project. It was nice to see the deep desire that the students had for helping the Bridge to Hope. For that I thank them.”
The six student groups focused on the issue of victims not knowing where to turn. The project goal was to create more community awareness about Bridge to Hope, which provides protection and compassion and helps empower victims.
“We wanted to develop a powerful message in a hopeful way,” said Tim Bott, a marketing and business education major from Two Harbors, Minn.
Student ideas included:
- A redesign of the organization's website and increasing its social media presence
- Campaigns at UW-Stout athletic events in October, which is national violence awareness month. Fans could be encouraged to wear purple, the Bridge's color, and Blaze, the UW-Stout mascot, could wear at Bridge to Hope T-shirt. A similar event could be planned at a hockey game with Bridge to Hope T-shirts sold and signed by players
- Drink coasters available at taverns, so customers could check if date rape drugs had been slipped into their drinks
- Coffee cup sleeves available at local shops to raise awareness about services offered
- Computer screensavers to address Bridge to Hope's core values
- Posters with a focus on statistics, such as 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men on college campuses have been sexually assaulted.
Megan Miller, a senior cross-media graphics management major, designed some of the posters and the coffee sleeves. “What I really liked about this project is I could bring my creative aspect to the marketing aspect,” said Miller, of Monroe.
Julia Ward, a graphics communications graduate from Zimmerman, Minn., hopes the marketing projects are effective. “We were trying to capture different feelings and emotions,” she said. “I think it was great to see it all come together.”
Brady Davis, a senior entertainment design major from Chaska, Minn., created one of the videos that expressed how Bridge to Hope is there in times of need. “I love telling a story,” he said, noting he also created a custom soundtrack. “I love everything the Bridge to Hope stands for.”
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Photos
Bridge to Hope Executive Director Naomi Cummings, left, says students did a very professional job.
Deb Meyer, vice chair of the Bridge to Hope board of directors, talks with students after the presentation.