Promotion Mini-Projects

Below are the stages in the course project. After each mini-project (MP) is described several other points are made that will help you do the work in an acceptable manner. By the way, in addition to the resources in the library, other helpful sites on the web can be accessed here.

The first assignment is to form a group and find a client that has a problem that you could address with promotion. (Obviously, not all problems have a promotion solution.) Be sure the problem is amenable to you developing a promotion strategy and making suggestions regarding each of the following: packaging/branding, sales promotion, public relations (PR), personal selling, and advertising. You are expected to talk to a potential client and arrange for its cooperation before telling us what your proposed project is. In other words, you do not want to pick a project that is too difficult to work on or does not fit the assignment nor do you want to pick a client who is going to be difficult to work with. Exceptional groups that are very serious about doing a great job may be allowed to pick from a client list maintained by Dr. Bruner.

Once you have formed a group and have a client that is willing to work with you, complete the form we provided for you in class. Indicate who is in your group and some information about your client. Come up with a distinctive name for your consulting firm (group). The form (one per group) and your professionalism contract (one per student) are due on Feb. 2. Students who have not joined a group by this date and turned in their professionalism contracts may be dropped from the class.

Once your group receives our approval you are free to begin working on MP1. As you work on these mini-projects keep in mind that a group or two may be invited at the end of the semester to present their project to the class. This is an honor and those students who receive and accept the invitation will receive extra credit on the project.

MP1:	Develop statement of promotion objective. (10 points)	Due Feb. 11
MP2:	Describe the target market. (20 points)	Due March 16
MP3:	Generate ideas regarding promotion mix components. (20 points)	Due April 8
MP4:	Write final version of plan and give to client. (50 points)	Due April 27

The first three mini-projects (MP1-MP3) should be 2-4 pages in length, not counting attachments and appendices. If they are too much shorter they are not likely to receive full credit. Because MP4 is a combination of the previous three and additional material it will be much longer (e.g., 20 double-spaced pages, not including appendices).
MP1 is worth 10 points; MP2 and MP3 are worth 20 points; and, MP4 is worth 50 points. That means if you make the total possible points on each one then you will have made 100 points on the whole project. That total will then be averaged with your three best test scores to determine your final grade in the course. (All of the mini-projects together are a fourth of your grade in the course.)
Get a good, heavy-duty folder to keep your MPs in. When each new MP is turned in, put it in the folder and turn it in with the other parts that have already been graded. (If those other parts are left out then we will delete points from your score.) Everything you turn in should have the group's name as well as the name of each group member. The sheet with contact information should be included in the folder as well. Consider putting a distinctive logo on the cover of your folder so that it will be easy for you to find when all of folders are laid out in class for groups to pick up after we have graded them.
Neatness, spelling, and grammar will be considered as we grade the MPs, especially MP4. Treat each stage as if you were turning in a report to a client who was paying you quite well for your consulting work.
From the very beginning, make back-up copies of your work. Electronic copies of MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP4 will be need to be submitted at the end of the course so be sure there is more than one copy of each in case something happens to the master copy. (Ideally, each group member should have copies of all work the group does.)
Pay attention to the due dates. The papers may be turned in early but if they are not turned in during the class time in which they are due a point will be taken off for every school day they are late regardless of the excuse. But, even when they are late, please turn them in ASAP. Any points are better than no points at all. The last date MP4 will be accepted is the last class period before finals week.
It is considered cheating if your group turns in a project that is the very similar to one that has been turned in previously by another group. Additionally, so as not to be guilty of plagarism, be sure to cite everything in your papers that is not original.
You are expected to fill out and turn in group member evaluation forms each time a MP is due. These forms will be turned in separately and kept private. Along with other information about a student's work on the project (complaints, turning in evaluation forms), a student's individual score on the project could be different from what other group members receive.
Examples of projects that were turned in by students in past semesters can be found in Blackboard under Course Content. By looking at those projects you can get ideas about how to do your own project. However, keep in mind that these old projects were not perfect and may not have done everything exactly right. Plus, our standards and expectations change every semester. So, the most important rule is for you to follow the instructions we gave you this semester and if in doubt, check it out!