Stone Ward Internship Class Underway
Back (L to R): Lauren Carrigan of Little Rock, University of Arkansas; Yana-Janell Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas State University; Mandeville, LA, Harding University; Kyle Riley, Stone Ward Public Communications Account Executive and Internship Coordinator; Kendall Bollen, Stone Ward Associate Account Executive and Internship Coordinator.
Front: Elaine Kelly of Little Rock, University of Arkansas; Katie Williams of Berryville, Harding University; Lacey Ankenman of Miami, OK, Oklahoma State University; Bekah Caraway of Little Rock, Ouachita Baptist University; Brett Parker of McKinney, TX, University of Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, AR (May 19, 2008) – Thirteen students from eight colleges and universities have been selected to participate in Stone Ward’s summer internship program that began May 12.
Named “Camp Reality,” the internship includes “real life” experiences in the advertising agency business. It is a part of the agency’s “Building Good” initiative that promotes giving back to the community.
A noteworthy part of the internship is the interns’ development of a marketing plan for a company or organization, most often a non-profit. This summer’s first session class (now in progress) assignment is to develop a marketing plan for Pathfinder Inc., whose mission is to provide services for disabled citizens of Arkansas to help them have a better quality of life. The second term Camp Reality internship project will be determined in the near future.
Other notable projects over the years in which Camp Reality interns have provided marketing plans and creative campaigns include: Kenya Relief, a non-profit that provides medical equipment, health care, clean water and education material to rural parts of Kenya; Philander Smith College, Firehouse Hostel & Museum, Arkansas Arts Center, The Downtown Partnership, First Tee of Central Arkansas, United Way, CARE for Animals, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and others.
These marketing plans have provided solid, strategic marketing support and are not simply plans that have been filed away, never to be used. The Camp Reality-developed marketing programs have helped raise money, enhance visibility and make the non-profit more competitive in its field.
The internship program is divided into two sessions, each six weeks long. The first session ends June 20, with the second session scheduled June 23 – August 1. Three of the 13 students will participate in both sessions.
Those students working both terms are: Lacey Ankenman of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, art direction and design; Matt McMullen of Mandeville, LA, Harding University, interactive; and Brett Park of McKinney, Texas, University of Arkansas, media. Assigned to the first term are Yana-Janell Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas State University, account management; Bekah Caraway of Little Rock, Ouachita Baptist University, broadcast; Lauren Carrigan of Little Rock, University of Arkansas, copywriting; Katie Williams of Berryville, Harding University, print production; and Elaine Kelly of Little Rock, University of Arkansas, public communications.
The second term will have interns Hannah Davidson of North Little Rock, University of Arkansas, account management; Lauren Aloway of Sherwood, University of Central Arkansas, broadcast; Laurel Hurley of Arlington, Texas, copywriting; Claire Nichols of Little Rock, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, print production; and Kyrie Lantz of Story, Arkansas, Henderson State University, public communications.
Each day the interns gain experience practicing the craft that later in life will become their career. Interns are assigned to creative, print production, broadcast production, interactive, media, account management, and public communications and copywriting. The interns also go on field trips together to see first hand some of the vendors and media that work closely with the agency staff.
Kyle Riley, Stone Ward public communications account executive, and Kendall Bollen, Stone Ward associate account executive, serve as Camp Reality Coordinators and work day-to-day with the class. Today, there are five full-time Stone Ward professionals who served internships with the agency, which proves that the program does have benefit for both the student and the agency.
The Little Rock advertising agency’s internship program has been in existence for 17 years and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Southwest District of the American Advertising Agency in 2002.
Stone Ward was established 24 years ago and has offices in Little Rock and Chicago. Its diverse client base includes national clients Terminix, Meineke Car Care Centers, Sport Clips and Snap-on Tools. Co-founders of the agency are CEO/Executive Creative Director Larry Stone and President Millie Ward.