Fusion Marketing’s One Month Anniversary

Fusion Marketing, a first-of-its-kind student agency, today marks its action-packed one month anniversary. In the past 30 days, Fusion has worked with: The Masters Forum, Twin Cities Originals, and Sandstrom Media. Additionally, they have named themselves, created a logo, a web site, and promoted their agency.

Each Friday the students have a weekly meeting and are given a new account to work on. Throughout the week they develop a strategic brief, envision a strategy and present creative work—a process that normally takes an agency several weeks to complete. The following Friday the students present their ideas to the client.

"The students have the fresh perspective we’re looking for; and the ability to look at ideas analytically," said Katie Milburn, marketing director for Twin Cities Originals (TCO) and co-owner of TCO restaurant Spill the Wine, opening soon. "We were most impressed in their ability to articulate their ideas and form them into images on paper. The professional quality of work they completed in the short amount of time they were given was remarkable."

With the possibility of permanent employment upon graduation, the students are gaining real life experiences and developing their portfolios in areas that can’t be taught in the classroom.

"Working as an employee at Risdall/Fusion is not the same as working for other local agencies," said Ana Viray, account executive, Fusion Marketing "Here, we are seen as employees of the company, and earn a weekly salary. There aren’t many other classmates that have internships where they only work with other students and present ideas to real clients each week."

"During the first month at Fusion my portfolio of work has grown extensively, which will be a huge advantage over my classmates when I graduate. By the end of the program I'll even have my own web site," said Diana Sharrow, art director, Fusion Marketing.

Nearly 100 advertising students responded to a single e-mail by sending their resumes to Risdall in hope of obtaining an interview for a prestigious spot with what is now Fusion Marketing. The competition was fierce, but after 50 interviews, 13 were selected. The students work at least eight hours a week and earn a weekly paycheck.

University Students Form Fusion Marketing with Risdall Marketing Group

Fusion Marketing, a student-run agency of Risdall Marketing Group (RMG), introduces an all-new internship program. Instead of interns working with senior staff members, a group of 13 students from the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication will be working together directly with clients. Students are hired and seen as employees of the company.

Dr. Dan Wackman, Ph.D., director of undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication stated, "The structure of students working with students is a novel idea that other agencies do not incorporate into their internship programs. We believe that this program will make the students more marketable for jobs than other graduates across the country."

RMG was inspired to start a student agency after it hosted three "Intern-for-a-Day" programs. On these days students from colleges around the Twin Cities were invited to RMG to brainstorm with clients and met with mentors.

"The ideas and energy that came out of the students were remarkable. By creating a 10-week program, we have allowed the students to utilize and expand these ideas to full capacity," states, John Risdall, CEO.

Each week Fusion Marketing is assigned a project for a different Risdall account. The following week, their ideas are presented to the client. Some of the clients Fusion Marketing will be working for include the Masters Forum, Twin Cities Originals, Zia and Taymark.

"Responding to a single e-mail, almost 100 advertising and public relations students sent their resumes and writing samples in hope of obtaining an interview for a prestigious spot with our student agency," said Risdall. "We interviewed 50 students, and it was tough to narrow it down to 13 because all were highly competent for the positions."

As a commitment to Risdall, students are working at least eight hours a week and receiving a weekly paycheck of $100. Fusion Marketing is composed of six account executives, two public relations specialists, two art directors, two copy writers, and one media planner. The program will last 10 weeks, with a possibility of permanent employment upon graduation.

"I'm really excited to be here. I love working in the atmosphere of an agency. In only a week, we have already created and presented work to the Masters Forum. I could never get this kind of experience in a classroom setting," said Emily Ray, Account Executive.