Photo by Adlin Joey Almencion
As a way to help the different companies and businesses in Mindanao with advertising and promotional needs, the Marketing students of Ateneo de Davao University organized the 1st Marketing Advertising (MarkAd) Conference at Finster Auditorium last Sept. 14.
With the theme “Bridging Gaps in Mindanao through Advertising,” the event served as a catalyst in developing and honing the skills of the Ateneo Marketing students and showcased the role and existence of the Marketing Program in the Ateneo Community.
Ateneo Marketing Club President Shaira Morales said around 350 participants convened at the venue along with their partner companies.
“Each team was assigned to a specific company whom they will advertise and promote for free. The list of companies are given by the Department of Trade and Industry and are categorized under the small scale business,” she said.
In line with the University vision, mission and goals, Morales added that the conference focused only on Mindanao based companies in order to provide opportunities to these small business owners and to promote social entrepreneurship.
Moreover, one of the highlights of the conference was the lecture of Jojie Alcantara, a well-known photojournalist, PR consultant and TV personality.
“Build your own brand and personality. Fatten your portfolio, but keep it simple, honest and updated,” she said fronting the 3rd year and 4th year Marketing students.
Alcantara also emphasized that the students must aim for bigger things, to think outside the box and to always deliver on time. On top of it all, the award-winning photographer said to stay humble amidst all of the recognition and success.
During her lecture, Alcantara showed some of her works from the fields of Advertising, Marketing, Journalism and Photography.
On the other hand, another activity during the MarkAd Conference was the Sales Pitch Speech competition wherein the contestants are given a certain product they would market to their audience.
Paolo Camacho bested all other participants with his tiles speech, followed by Alva Vales with her feather duster speech and Ramon Sian endorsing pliers.
Other activities during the event were the Marketing Quiz bowl, the presentation of the product development of the students and the awarding of the best video and print advertisements.
The winning video ads were from the Tinkerbelle’s ice cream, Vita Rings and Mers while Saba Banana Chips, Bibing Kuya Bibingka Atbp., and Jeya Food Products topped the print ad competition.
Marketing and Advertising professor Donna Abrina said that there was a collective evaluation of the outputs. She assessed the ads produced by students with other professors including Anthony Aguelo and RJ Plasabas.
“It looks like the students had fun while learning which is good. Hopefully next year we will have the 2nd MarkAd Conference,” Abrina said.
The event is an initiative of the Ateneo Marketing Program under the Business and Management Division and the School of Business and Governance.