Live Case – Project

Propose a Targeted Marketing Strategy for a Community Financial Empowerment Center

A Collaboration Between

Project Synopsis

The Aurora Financial Empowerment Center will expand to become the Offices of Financial Empowerment. This needs to be carefully strategized, implemented and be sustainable over the long term. As part of our strategy to improve and expand the Aurora FEC, we are making changes to our current marketing strategies to better target citizens of Aurora.
Branding Strategy
360 Degree Review Process
Social Media Optimization
Evaluation and Recommendations
Assessment and Recommendations for Revised Marketing Strategy with particular focus on Aurora citizens

Project Topics

Marketing

Company Information

CompanyAurora Illinois
HQAurora, IL
RevenueN/A
EmployeesUnlisted
StageLarge Enterprise
Hiring PotentialFollow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time
Websitehttps://www.aurora-il.org/

Company Overview

N/A

Experiential Learning Program Details

SchoolNorthern Illinois University (NIU)
Engagement FormatLive Case - Think "Hackathon" or Case Competition with a whole class of students! This learning format allows educators to deliver experiential learning to students at scale. Students are often split into groups to work on a live case (or a series of cases) from a real host company that directly relates to key learning objectives.
CourseBusiness in Action, Spring 2022 (Collum) – Aurora
Level
  • All Undergraduate
Students Enrolled40
Meeting Day & TimeMon & Wed 6:00-8:40 p.m.
Student Time Commitment4-7 Hours Per Week
Company Time Commitment1 Hour
Duration10.57 Weeks

Program Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Due Date Type
Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.

Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.

01/24 and 01/26 Apply to be on a team! Go to [INSERT LINK] to indicate your preferences.
January 24th, 2022 Event na
Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters

Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters

01/31 and 02/02
January 31st, 2022 Event na
STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!

STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!

Take a few moments to complete the KICKOFF SURVEY before the project begins!
February 2nd, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
Milestone 1 Deliverable Due Milestone 1 Deliverable Due
02/07 and 02/09 Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
February 7th, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!

STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!

Please take a few minutes to let us know how the project is going for you with this TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY
February 9th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
Milestone 2 Deliverable Due Milestone 2 Deliverable Due
Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
February 21st, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
Meet with Company Representatives!

Meet with Company Representatives!

02/28 and 03/02 Company representatives meet with class.
February 28th, 2022 Event na
Milestone 3 Deliverable Due Milestone 3 Deliverable Due
March 7 & 9 Final project deliverable and paper due. Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
March 7th, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!

STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!

Please take a few minutes to complete this SELF ASSESSMENT SURVEY on your learning experience with this project!
March 12th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!

STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!

Please take a few minutes to complete this PEER ASSESSMENT SURVEY!
March 12th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation

Key Project Milestones

  • February 7, 2022 - Deep-dive into the Organization & Challenge

    • What is the organization’s business model? What are their mission, goals, priorities, and key competencies?
    • What specific services and products do they offer?
    • Who is their target market? What are the different customer segments?
    • What is the value proposition to their clients? How do they help solve their clients’ problem or meet their needs? What makes the organization unique/different?
    • What is the Company’s current marketing strategy? What messages and content are they communicating and how often? Through what media and channels?
    • Which KPI’s are relevant to this project, and how so? What does a successful outcome of the current project look like from the organization’s perspective?

    Suggested Deliverable:

    2-page infographic overview of organization and current challenge; questions for industry mentors

  • February 21, 2022 - Understand the Target Audience

    • Dive deeper into the organization’s target audience and customer segments. Which segments are the focus of expansion for the organization, and why?
    • Develop target audience personas.
      • How do these segments/personas differentiated in terms of their problems, interests, values, needs, goals?
      • What communication channels (including but not limited to social media) do they use? How and where do they get information about finance, banking, etc.?
      • How do they get connected to helping organizations like Aurora? What networks are shared?
      • What experiences do they have as clients of the Center?
    • In what ways do these personas present opportunities for the Center to expand their client base?
    • Can you create client stories to detail and exemplify why and how clients choose the Center and how it helps them to reach their goals, solve their problems, and/or live their values?

    Suggested Deliverable:

    Presentation, including client personas and user stories

  • March 7, 2022 - Analysis and Recommendations for Targeted Marketing Campaign

    • What are the goals and budget for the marketing campaign?
    • What are the top priorities for the organization in terms of improving their approach to and tools for increasing the number of Aurora citizens served by the center and other client expansions goals?
    • What communication channels and networks do you recommend the organization use to promote their brand and services to their target customers?
    • What messages, images, content, etc. do you recommend? What existing marketing content and practices can be improved upon? What should be refreshed or created?
    • How would you measure success? What is the potential impact if they proceed with your recommendations?
    • What are the cost implications of using new sales strategies or channels?

    Suggested Deliverable:

    Targeted Marketing Campaign Playbook & Presentation

Academic Mentors

Instructor

 

[email protected]

Instructor

Jason Gorham

[email protected]

Instructor

Scott Rosenfelder

[email protected]

Instructor

Neil Doughty

[email protected]

Instructor

Elois Joseph 

[email protected]

Instructor

Jenny Redisi 

[email protected]

Assigned Students

There are currently no students assigned.