The Missouri State University Advertising Team has a long history of success, earning 11 national awards during their 20 year history of competing. These achievements have brought recognition to both the Ad Team and the Marketing program at Missouri State University. When asked to comment on the Ad Team’s successes, Missouri State University President Clif Smart says, “the opportunity for our students to compete and win on a national stage raises the profile of our university,” and provides them with experience they can take into their careers.
For the spring 2020 semester, the Ad Team at has been tasked with creating a campaign that aims to address the topic of targeted violence for the McCain Institute. In this competition, the group will compete against nine teams from universities across the nation. The Ad Team will use skills they have learned in the classroom, practical experience, outside research and insight from advisors to create a campaign that advocates for inclusivity and a positive self-image.
The competition is facilitated by EdVenture Partners, an organization that focuses on developing partnerships for students to apply their skills and gain valuable, real-world experience. Founded in 1990, they deliver these educational opportunities through partnerships with companies like Facebook, Acura, Citi and AT&T.
Samantha Francka, the current advisor for the Ad Team, had experience with EdVenture Partners during her time as a student at Missouri State University. Francka says that she is “thrilled to have an opportunity to advise students through an experience that was so impactful for me as a student.” Francka, the marketing and web specialist for International Programs at Missouri State University, is an alumnus of the Marketing Department and is excited that she is able to give back to current students.
Membership to the Ad Team is an honor as it is only available to a select number of undergraduate students during the spring semester. Students are taken through an extensive application process that includes interviews and portfolio reviews from the faculty advisor. The Ad Team meets two nights a week, but together they invest countless hours outside of their regular class time. The Ad Team accepted 13 members this year, listed below along with their hometowns.
- Toni Buffa, St. Peters, MO
- Hayden Ferguson, Lee Summit, MO
- Jordan Galkowski, St. Charles, MO
- Morgan George, St. Charles, MO
- Taylor Howard, Manchester, MO
- Lauren Kerr, Wichita, KS
- Kennedy Kuhlmann, Wildwood, MO
- Lauren McCracken, Cadet, MO
- Jordan Moore, Wildwood, MO
- Katie Novak, Chesterfield, MO
- Tara Orr, Blue Springs, MO
- Megan O’Shea, Wentzville, MO
- Sarah Thomas, Jefferson City, MO
To learn more about the Ad Team and their campaign, read The Standard’s interview with team members or watch KOLR10’s news segment on the group. Find the latest updates about the Marketing department, Ad Team and other activities on the Marketing News blog.