Aren’t we punny?!?!

Central Michigan Life, 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859  989/774-3493   Fax 989/774-7805

Central Michigan Life welcomes the following students to the advertising and public relations staffs for the 2012/2013 academic school year.

ADVERTISING MANAGERS

Becca Baiers, Allegan, Michigan Senior

Julie Bushart, Farmington, Michigan Junior

Megan Schneider, Saginaw, Michigan Senior

TRAINING MANAGERS

Becca Paciero, Livonia, Michigan Senior

Devann Madden, Brighton, Michigan Senior

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Andrew Sarmiento, Saginaw, Michigan Senior

Mark Gustin, Greenville, Michigan Senior

Jana Klaus, Whitmore Lake, Michigan Senior

Michael Catalina, Macomb, Michigan Senior

Bobby Burns, Shelby Twp., Michigan Senior

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Adam London, Ann Arbor, Michigan Junior

Ashley Fennell, Washington, Michigan Junior

Gabriella Hoffman, Saginaw, Michigan Sophomore

Hannah Keshishian, Farmington Hills, Michigan Sophomore

Natalie Iverson, Mason, Michigan Junior

Rachel Talaska, Lincoln Park, Michigan Sophomore

ADVERTISING SALES TRAINEES

Daniel Haremski, Saginaw, Michigan Junior

Lauren Connor, East Lansing, Michigan Junior

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

India Mills, Pontiac, Michigan Senior

PUBLIC RELATIONS STAFF

Alex Merritt, Grand Ledge, Michigan Senior

Jennie Muscat, Canton, Michigan Senior

Kaitlyn Blaszczyk, Walled Lake, Michigan Junior

GRAPHIC DESIGN STAFF

Kim Patishnock, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan Senior

Steven Stechschulte, Oxford, Michigan Senior

Tim Reynolds, Williamston, Michigan Senior

The 2012 Best of Central Michigan voting is only two weeks from ending. Have you gotten the word out for your business? Check out the rules and information on the contest HERE.

For those of you who signed up for the bribe package, the videos are done. We hope you have had as much fun as we did. It has been great to see the creativity from our advertisers, as they explain why their businesses should be voted #1. Our PR staff led by Ashley Stephenson did a great job getting all these coordinated. Many of these have been posted already to our Facebook page, the remainder still in production will be loaded ASAP. We have also been putting them on our BEST of CENTRAL MICHIGAN website. We are posting a few of our favorites below. The rest can be seen on our Vimeo page HERE.

Remember, voting closes Friday, May 4, 2012.

Central Michigan Life will be building downloads (audience) over these last two weeks of classes, during Summer Orientation sessions, through our website and social media sites and at Welcome Weekend events at CMU.

Advertisers will have the opportunity to utilize the CM LIFE App with static coupons and real-time deals starting in August 2012. Ask your account executive about our special pricing. For more features on our App: CLICK HERE.

Christ Central Choir, CMU. ”We read CM Life because we love to see the stories in the newspaper that keep us in touch with what’s going on around campus and in the community.” 1^st row: Christiana Smiley, Walter Tufts, Crystal Hutson.  2^nd row: Tiffany Dewberry, Jasmine E’Lon, Treybion Wade, Jawanza Hill, Victoriia Kirkwood, Kendarius Mann, Job Ojo, Hadassah Lomax, Kelsie Baitler-Jones, Jatia Brenya, Alyssa Stepter, and Mia LaTreese. CM Life readers for 2 years.

Phame Camarena, PhD and Director, University Honors. Hometown: San Jose, CA.  “I love the incredibly rich life of our University community! On any given day there is a performance, a competition, a debate, or some other event shaping the lives of our students, faculty, and staff. Reading CM Life helps me better understand the people, events, and issues shaping our campus and prepares me to be a more effective active citizen in our University community.” Reading CM Life faithfully since 1994.

Ricardo Rinconeńo, Member of the Spirits & Traditions Committee, Interpersonal Communication/Psychology Major and North Branch Senior.  “I read CM Life to stay informed about what’s going on with Central and the community.” CM Life Reader for 5 years. 

Shannon Bonney, Actor, CMU University Theatre, Communication Disorders Major and Holt, MI Senior. “I like when CM Life has the cultural events and it keeps me informed on what’s going on in the community.”  CM Life Reader for 2 years.

Kyle Mulligan (Secretary), Raschelle Holmes (President), Jenna Vanderham (PR), Connor Fitzsimons (SGA),  Big Brothers Big Sisters E-Board members.  “We like reading CM Life for the job offerings, and with Big Brothers Big Sisters we love to stay connected with our local Mt. Pleasant community.” CM Life readers for a combined 8 years!

Rose Stokes,  NASA Co-op, General Management/Psychology Major, Sterling Heights,  Senior. “I like that I can read CM Life online because I was able to stay up-to-date on Central life while I was at NASA in Houston, TX.”  CM Life Reader for 4 years.

Brittany Sheffield, President of Phi Mu Sorority, Special Education Major and Grand Haven Senior. “I like that I can stay informed on what’s going on around campus through CM Life.” CM Life Reader for: 4 years  

Couponing has become wildly popular in the past several years, especially in light of the recession. While the most dedicated couponers, referred to as “extreme couponers,” get the majority of the publicity, they actually make up a very small minority of those who seek out and use coupons on a regular basis, according to a recent article in Daily Finance.

While extreme couponing may seem like a scary proposition for retailers, casual couponing can have huge benefits. For example, a coupon can bring new customers into your business, and if they have a good experience once, they are more likely to keep coming back. Offering coupons can also help convince consumers to choose your business over a competitor.

According to an article from The Lakeland Ledger, offering coupons also allows businesses to “practice price discrimination, selling the same item cheaper to deal-hunters and more expensively to those willing to pay the higher price.” This can help you move a lot more merchandise.

Providing coupons to college students is especially effective because this demographic is typically looking for a good deal. College students are often on tight budgets because of tuition costs, rent payment, and other associated expenses. Therefore, they love getting things free or at a reduced price.

There are many options available to include coupons when advertising to these college students in CM Life. One option is to include a coupon in your regular print ad in the newspaper. This may help bring more attention to your advertisement, and readers can just cut the coupon out of the paper. You can also include standing inserts in the paper. These often include several different coupons for your business. Another option is to put a coupon in the Campus Cash coupon books which are distributed at the start of each semester.

The key to a successful coupon is to make sure it is a good enough deal to catch consumers’ attention. This will largely depend on the product or service you are trying to sell and its original price. Consumers will want to make sure using the coupon will be worth their while. If you create an appealing coupon that is a good deal for consumers, especially those on a budget, you can gain a new base of loyal customers who will keep coming back.

By Amy Crockett, PR/Marketing Intern

Sources:

Daily Finance: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/04/05/dont-call-them-extreme-couponers-meet-the-coupon-enthusiasts/

The Lakeland Ledger: http://www.theledger.com/article/20120322/NEWS/120329791?p=1&tc=pg

CM LIFE’s awards included Best of Category for Best Display Advertising Campaign; Best of Category for Best Newspaper Promotion B & W Ad; Second place for Best Newspaper Advertising Campaign; Third place for Best Online Display Ad; and First Place for Best Newspaper Marketing/Promotion plan. CM Life’s account executive, Julie Bushart won Sales Representative of the Year.

CNBAM is a national organization created in 1972 to share knowledge of the college newspaper business. Today, more than 125 student newspapers from across the country are members. CNBAM’s annual convention features dozens of sessions led by national industry experts, newspaper and advertising industry professionals, and students and advisers from CNBAM member newspapers. The convention is aimed to assist both students and advisers involved in the business and advertising operations of student newspapers. To learn more about CNBAM, check out the organizations website at: www.cnbam.org

Representing CM LIFE at the 2012 CNBAM Convention:(L to R) India Mills, Advertising Manager;  Becca Baiers, Advertising Manager; Megan Schneider, Account Executive; Annie Magidsohn, Advertising Manager and Becca Paciero, Account Executive.

CNBAM attendees from across the nation. Look at all the amazing talent in college newspapers today! Photo courtesy of www.CNBAM.org

Meagan Mooney, President of the Communication Association at CMU, Interpersonal Communication Major, and Waterford Junior. “I read CM Life to keep updated on events and activities that I may have not known about prior to. Also, it makes for great morning conversation with my boss.” CM Life Reader for: 3 years

Antoine Burks, Member of local Rap and R&B group “Mitz Phits”, Health Administration Major and St. Clair Shores Senior. “I like to read CM Life for the Sports section and to check out what’s going on around campus.” CM Life Reader for 4 years.

Sigma Tau Delta: International English Honors Society, CMU. “We read CM Life because it provides us with different perspectives on life at CMU and in the Mt. Pleasant area. CM Life keeps Sigma Tau Delta informed and connected not only with the academic community here at CMU but also with the surrounding community outside of the university.” - Keith Guyot, Senior, President of Sigma Tau Delta. Pictured Above, Front Row (Left to Right): Marquise Sitkowski, Ariana Jordan, Ashley Budzol, Bridie MacDonald, Jacqui Northrup, Ian Wolf, Jared Seymour. Middle Row (Left to Right): Bethany Wohlfeil, Samantha Randolph, Keith Guyot, Chelcy Pine, Alyssa Chrisman, August Orlow; Back Row (Left to Right): Andrew Rodriguez, Justin Wigard, Rachell Weeks, Taylor McCarrick, Jennifer Ziolkowski. CM Life Readers for 72 years (since 1940)! 

Mitch Reetz, Middle Infielder for CMU Club Baseball, Business Major and Mt. Pleasant Sophomore. ”I like CM Life because almost all of the articles relate directly to me as a student. I also like how I learn something new every time I read it.” CM Life Reader for 2 years. 

Mary Ann Renz,  Faculty Advisor for the Communication Association, CMU and Mt. Pleasant resident.  “CM Life allows me to know what is happening on campus and what students are thinking.” CM Life Reader for 22 years.

According to the article, 60 percent of college students have read their school’s newspaper. Of those students, 88 percent said they had read at least one of the last five issues.

While some universities, such as the University of Georgia, have started moving the majority of their newspaper’s content online, the survey indicated only 16 percent of students prefer getting their college news online, with print continuing to be the preferred medium.

In the article, David Swartzlander, president of the College Media Advisers said, “It’s strange. These kids are walking around with iPhones and iPads, and they are looking for the college paper.”

So why are college newspapers thriving in print while the rest of the world goes digital? According to the article, “The students said that reading their campus paper in print, almost always free and readily available at popular gathering places, was just the easiest way to stay current on school happenings.”

Many students are more likely to pick up the printed newspaper when they pass the racks in the library or University Center several times every day than they are to actively seek out the online version on their own.

However, it is still important for college newspapers to package their print version with their online and social media platforms. College student preferences could begin to switch to online formats in the next few years as technology continues to grow and improve.

Experts agree, whether online or in print, readership will continue to be high among college newspapers because they cover the issues and interests of the campus community like no other news source does.

By: PR/Marketing Intern Amy Crockett

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/8/in-wired-generation-students-like-paper-for-campus/?page=all#pagebreak

College newspapers target and advertise almost exclusively to the Millennial Generation, or Generation Y. This generation was born roughly between 1984 and 2002. Members of this generation are constantly connected to their smartphones, iPods, iPads, and laptops and they are constantly multi-tasking.

In order to best target this generation, advertisers must learn how to break through all the clutter by truly understanding what their audience wants.

According to an On Campus Advertising blog, the first step is to “really dig deep to understand what makes the millennial student tick,” to really understand what “they like and dislike, what peeks their interest, what motivates them to read more about products, and eventually purchase them.”

It is a waste of your time and money to advertise a product for which Millennials have no interest. If there is a specific product or aspect of your business or organization which appeals more directly to the college demographic, advertise that.

Besides relevancy of your product or service, if your ad’s message isn’t immediately clear to your audience, they will also move on very quickly. Generation Y has an infinite amount of information available at its fingertips and won’t waste its time trying to decode an unclear message.

Finally, it is important to understand what types of media your audience is consuming, especially whether they are getting their news online or in print. If they are reading their news online, how are the accessing it? Smartphone? iPod? iPad? Laptop? You may need to tweak your ads to be compatible with different devices. But despite necessary changes, it is critical to maintain one clear, consistent, and cohesive message across all media.

Generation Y can be a tricky audience to target with all the clutter they see every day. However, if you work to understand who they are and what they want, they may be more responsive to your ads. This generation is relatively new to purchasing things for themselves, but hooking them now may help build a brand loyalty which will last for years.

By: PR/Marketing Intern Amy Crockett

Source: http://blog.oncampusadvertising.com/