"A great visit - thanks to Mindbenders Asia Sdn. Bhd!" By Loh Teck Hua
Lecturer, School of Business & Social Sciences
What inspires students to study? Their businessman father who made his first million at 21? Their mother who is the CEO in the office - and at home? The answer is quite simple: get the students out of the classroom! Take them out on a trip! Get them to ‘sweat’ a little.
KDU University College’s Business School did just that by taking 17 of its KeeleUniversity final year students on a field trip as part of their learning experience. The students who are currently taking the Keele University Marketing Communications Theory subject (MAN30004) had a first-hand exposure to marketing communications in action.
They spent two and a half hours at an advertising agency in Kuala Lumpur discovering the inner workings of the organisation. Mindbenders Asia Sdn. Bhd., the advertising agency for Giant Hypermarkets and Colgate-Palmolive products, played host and took the students on an educational trip, presenting their best works, explaining the minds, the people and the processes behind the creation of such marketing communication tools as TV commercials,radio advertising, billboard advertising, event marketing, product packaging and many more.Mindbenders Asia Sdn. Bhd. brought in its Creative Group Head, Accounts Servicing team, Copywriter and even their Creative Photographer to share their knowledge and experiences with the students.
KDU University College’s Business School did just that by taking 17 of its KeeleUniversity final year students on a field trip as part of their learning experience. The students who are currently taking the Keele University Marketing Communications Theory subject (MAN30004) had a first-hand exposure to marketing communications in action.
They spent two and a half hours at an advertising agency in Kuala Lumpur discovering the inner workings of the organisation. Mindbenders Asia Sdn. Bhd., the advertising agency for Giant Hypermarkets and Colgate-Palmolive products, played host and took the students on an educational trip, presenting their best works, explaining the minds, the people and the processes behind the creation of such marketing communication tools as TV commercials,radio advertising, billboard advertising, event marketing, product packaging and many more.Mindbenders Asia Sdn. Bhd. brought in its Creative Group Head, Accounts Servicing team, Copywriter and even their Creative Photographer to share their knowledge and experiences with the students.
The Creative Head detailing the intricaciesof advertising conceptdevelopment: the science and the
art of creating winning advertisements
Mindbender's Business Development Manager, Lucian D'Silva,explaining the functions of the Client Servicing
(Accounts Servicing) Department to the students.
The Question & Answer (Q&A) session at the end seemed to go on forever as the students fielded one question after another. The questions ranged from the purely academic “how do you go about developing your SOSTAC, that is, Situation, Objectives, Strategies, Tactics, Actions and Controls” to the very pragmatic “what career opportunities are there in advertising for graduates?” The one question that sent everyone laughing was “what materials do you have that can help us in finishing our 3000 words assessment assignment?”
A Q&A session in progress: the students fieldingquestions to the professionals in the business
The students were later taken on a tour of the premises. They were introduced to the key people and shown the Accounts Servicing and the Creative Departments, the heart and soul of an advertising agency. They sailed past the Media and Finance Departments and finally ended up playing models in a mock creative photography session.
Some of the students must have looked good. The copywriter actually asked if some of them are willing to model for their clients! Internship opportunities were offered to the students, too. After graduation, maybe! But first, that 3000 words assignment!
There were light snacks and drinks served and after a few group photos and more Q&A sessions on the side, the students returned to the waiting KDU bus to take them back to the section 13 campus. The trip had been an eye opener for the students. The visit had served its purpose, inspiring the students and complementing the classroom learning with field learning – active learning in one respect. It had made the academic knowledge taught in classes a ‘real world’ to the students - an insight which will, hopefully, lead to better academic zeal and performance.
People inspire people. What better people to inspire the students than the very people who have lived life and succeeded?
Some of the students must have looked good. The copywriter actually asked if some of them are willing to model for their clients! Internship opportunities were offered to the students, too. After graduation, maybe! But first, that 3000 words assignment!
There were light snacks and drinks served and after a few group photos and more Q&A sessions on the side, the students returned to the waiting KDU bus to take them back to the section 13 campus. The trip had been an eye opener for the students. The visit had served its purpose, inspiring the students and complementing the classroom learning with field learning – active learning in one respect. It had made the academic knowledge taught in classes a ‘real world’ to the students - an insight which will, hopefully, lead to better academic zeal and performance.
People inspire people. What better people to inspire the students than the very people who have lived life and succeeded?
There's more than just "thumbs up" here.There's "peace" and there's a punch in the air!
All in all, an exciting day for the students.
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