SIFE targets students with local business discounts
Daniel J. Williams
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
Hillsdale College Students in Free Enterprise have nearly finalized a plan to let local businesses offer student discounts in exchange for on campus advertisements.
On Wednesday, the college deans approved a plan in which e-mail advertisements will be targeted to specific social groups on campus.
Junior John Ward, the SIFE member organizing the initiative, said the program was designed to benefit both the students and the community.
"Basically, the whole thought behind it was to help Hillsdale's economy," Ward said. "It's a win-win situation - the Hillsdale economy and the students."
SIFE president Sam Russell said the businesses will design and send the ads to SIFE, which will then disseminate them to students via targeted e-mails. The businesses currently involved with or being pursued by SIFE are Malibu Tan, Chicago Water Grill, Marcella's and potentially Oasis Car Wash, Glory to God automotive and Premiere Theaters.
"The consideration that we're going to be able to give [the businesses] is, basically, by advertising the discounts on campus, we're going to be giving these businesses free advertising, to some extent," Russell said. "It also shows the local business that the students do want to participate and patronize their companies," Ward said.
Jim McCormick, vice president of Hillsdale-based Malibu Tan, said the initiative is the first official advertising program he's conducted on the Hillsdale College campus.
McCormick said students presenting their student ID to Malibu Tan will be able to receive 20 percent more free in any package they choose this month.
"We enjoy having Hillsdale College students as customers of ours," McCormick said. "So when [Ward] approached us with that, we thought it sounded like a great plan."
The plan also includes, among other discounts, a student night at Chicago Water Grill.
"What we're doing right now is trying to see whether or not businesses want to participate," Ward said. "And were getting good feedback."
The project began earlier this semester when Ward approached Russell about combining SIFE's advertising and consulting efforts into a student discount program.
Initially, the advertisements were to be e-mailed to the entire student body. When the administration and Information Technology Services balked at the idea of sending advertisements to students en mass, Ward posed the idea of targeting specific social groups.
Russell said the targeted advertisements will help give SIFE members more experience with students, advertising, and local businesses.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
On Wednesday, the college deans approved a plan in which e-mail advertisements will be targeted to specific social groups on campus.
Junior John Ward, the SIFE member organizing the initiative, said the program was designed to benefit both the students and the community.
"Basically, the whole thought behind it was to help Hillsdale's economy," Ward said. "It's a win-win situation - the Hillsdale economy and the students."
SIFE president Sam Russell said the businesses will design and send the ads to SIFE, which will then disseminate them to students via targeted e-mails. The businesses currently involved with or being pursued by SIFE are Malibu Tan, Chicago Water Grill, Marcella's and potentially Oasis Car Wash, Glory to God automotive and Premiere Theaters.
"The consideration that we're going to be able to give [the businesses] is, basically, by advertising the discounts on campus, we're going to be giving these businesses free advertising, to some extent," Russell said. "It also shows the local business that the students do want to participate and patronize their companies," Ward said.
Jim McCormick, vice president of Hillsdale-based Malibu Tan, said the initiative is the first official advertising program he's conducted on the Hillsdale College campus.
McCormick said students presenting their student ID to Malibu Tan will be able to receive 20 percent more free in any package they choose this month.
"We enjoy having Hillsdale College students as customers of ours," McCormick said. "So when [Ward] approached us with that, we thought it sounded like a great plan."
The plan also includes, among other discounts, a student night at Chicago Water Grill.
"What we're doing right now is trying to see whether or not businesses want to participate," Ward said. "And were getting good feedback."
The project began earlier this semester when Ward approached Russell about combining SIFE's advertising and consulting efforts into a student discount program.
Initially, the advertisements were to be e-mailed to the entire student body. When the administration and Information Technology Services balked at the idea of sending advertisements to students en mass, Ward posed the idea of targeting specific social groups.
Russell said the targeted advertisements will help give SIFE members more experience with students, advertising, and local businesses.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
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