Volume 126 Issue 19
kansan.com
Tuesday. September 24, 2013
MX/KANSANunday.
WHAT ARE YOU SELLING?
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MULLINIX
perspective for their marketing plans.
Companies like Frodr Pink ASOS, Red Bull and Microsoft are using students to market their products on campus. The opportunity benefits students with real-world experience and gives companies a student's perspective for their
ROBERT PYATT
rpyatt@kansan.com
Campus representatives are becoming essential to on-campus marketing strategies.
Companies are seeking a new approach to reaching out to college students — using their peers to market products.
Businesses with a focus on youth turned their sights toward university students with interests in things such as music and partying, which has proved quite profitable to companies marketing to twenty-somethings. This revelation by
many companies has caused them to seek out college students to take their wares to the collegiate masses.
"They're very college-based," said Lauren Watkins, a junior pre-business major, who is also a campus representative for the music-playing application, Spotify. "I love music, and I love Spotify. I thought the best way to get experience in the music business was to get involved with them."
Other companies like Southern Tide, Vineyard Vines and Southern Coast have their own campus representatives distributing apparel, products or services as well. Spotify is gaining popularity with students who don't want to pay on other outlets like iTunes. And with over 20 million downloads, it's not going away anytime soon.
"So many kids use the app, at parties, at the library, it's really cool to think about how much things have changed in just a few years about how and how much we listen to music." Watkins said.
Being a campus representative also has its benefits for the students.
"The networking opportunities are really good," said Soreh Shriver.
a senior studying film and media. "You get to meet a lot of people through the program and it looks great on a resume."
Many of the largest campus representative programs in the nation have been initiated by New York-based marketing firm, Mr. Youth. The firm focuses on marketing products that university students are interested in and helps companies reach students in nontraditional ways.
"People are really trying to become more like brands, and brands are trying to become more like people," said Matt Britton.
co-founder and CEO of Mr. Youth, at the 2010 L2 Generation Next Forum. "Customers expect brands to talk with them instead of adding to the clutter."
Mr. Youth runs several student ambassadorships across the nation with several major brands, including Coca-Cola, Nike, Playstation and Microsoft.
While marketing agencies like Mr. Youth are revolutionizing the way students are marketed to, some of the oldest strategies for selling products still work.
and market to people, but the internet has really changed everything." Watkins said.
Watkins said the best way for reaching to students is still by word of mouth.
"I think TV and radio will still be around in the future to advertise
"Even with the emergence of social media and the internet, our generation can easily get lost in the ocean of information out there." Watkins said. "It works better when someone you know promotes a product."
Edited by Heather Nelson
MONEY MATTERS
Youth savings leads to building investments
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEIGH LEE
ICODY KUIPER
Terri Friedline, an assistant professor of social welfare, authored a three-part series entitled, "Children as Potential Investors," which found that young people who start
A recent study authored by a KU professor found that saving a little at a young age can provide big benefits as an adult.
ckuiper@kansan.com
a savings account are more likely to invest, diversify their funds and accumulate more money in the long term than those who do not. Friedline's previous work helping young men in the juvenile justice system prepare for life on their own served as an inspiration for the study. She found that many young people may not be prepared to make simple financial
"A lot of my responsibility there was preparing them to transition out of care to live independently." Friedline said. "A lot of their decisions that they would have to make regarded finances, like how to get a job, how to manage funds, how to use a bank, very basic
decisions.
MONEY PAGE 3
SOCIAL MEDIA
Controversial tweet receives backlash from legislators
LCODY KUIPER
ckuiper@kansan.com
Kansas legislators are weighing in on the situation surrounding KU Professor David Guth following his controversial tweet regarding the Navy Yard shooting last Monday.
High ranking members of the Kansas GOP have issued statements condemning Guth's tweet and calling for his termination.
"I feel I have no choice but to call upon the University of Kansas and Chancellor Gray-Little to remove Professor Guth from the University's faculty." Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce (R-Hutchinson) wrote in a statement on Facebook Thursday. "Wishing death and damnation upon parents and their children is reprehensible and is not befitting of an employee of such a distinguished university."
Guth, a Strategic Communications professor in the School of Journalism, tweeted on Monday: "#NavyYardShooting"
The blood is on the hands of the NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters, Shame on you. May God damn you." In his call for Guth's termination, Bruce also cited the resignation of University Professor Paul Mirecki in 2005 for comments he made in an online forum regarding religious fundamentalists.
"In light of the recent tragedy that befell our nation, the comments of Professor Guth reflect as poorly, if not more so, upon the University of Kansas as the comments made by Professor Mirecki." Bruce wrote.
In the days following Guth's tweet, the University placed him on indefinite administrative leave. In a statement released on Friday, State Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) was supportive of the measures taken by the University, but said she wants more action taken. "With all its stern stare he has been
"While initial steps have been
Faculty members respond to Guth tweet
Tenured faculty members of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications released a statement Monday regarding associate professor David Guth's controversial tweet. The faculty members stated their "strong support" of Guth's First Amendment right to express his opinions, though they disagree with his comments. The statement also explained why and how his classes have been adjusted due to his administrative leave.
Because of the polarized nature and the volume of response to Professor Guth's comments, we support his decision and the decision of the University administration for Professor Guth to transfer his students and classes to other professors at this time. the statement said. Thirteen injured journalism faculty members signed the statement.
Tara Bryant
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
Index
GUTH PAGE 3
SPORTS 8
SUDOKU 5
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
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