College advertising

(Forbes.com 5/9/2012) The 2012 college football season doesn’t officially begin for several months, but CBS Sports has already begun selling advertising spots for next season’s SEC football games. The network is reportedly well ahead of competitors ESPN and Fox, which are in discussions with existing partners but have yet to test the open market.

But what is perhaps most striking is that CBS is reportedly using the Super Bowl as leverage in negotiations with prospective SEC advertisers. In February, I predicted that Super Bowl ad rates will double within the next decade, partly because the networks will need to cover the increased rights fees for carrying NFL games. CBS has the rights to the 2013 Super Bowl, and leveraging those rights into attracting more sponsors to SEC games is a great way to wring even more value out of the most popular televised event of the year.
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When it comes to a marketing goldmines on campus, nothing can be better then the college Newspaper. The college newspaper comes from the prospective of the student, which is what is important here. They are run, written, distributed, and read by the students. It’s totally their world!

That is why at Campus Solutions we believe this is a perfect opportunity for brands that want to reach the college demographic should consider using this medium. If your company has been thinking of getting its products into the college campus market place, contact Campus Solutions. We will walk you through all the fantastic opportunities available. Our mission is to help you develop a solid marketing plan that reaches and connects with the students on campus across America.

We encourage you to contact us at www.campussolutionsinc.com for more information on how we can help you.

Students have made it half way through the semester. They have crunched in everything they could for midterms and are finally getting ready to enjoy their much needed Spring Break. Finals are quickly approaching and many college students are focusing on these exams, plus final presentations.  For many consumer brands, the season may offer a perfect opportunity to initiate their college marketing efforts.  During the final weeks of school, student’s priorities tend to shift gear from social activities over to academia. Large crowds of students will flock all over campuses including, coffee shops, the library, and campus lawns, reviewing lecture notes and reading material.

That is why at Campus Solutions we believe that it’s a great opportunity for clients to start their marketing efforts towards the college demographic. Using snack brands as an example, the weeks leading to final exams is ideal timing for product sampling initiatives and fitting messages recognizing students’ efforts and promoting healthy study breaks. Brands may choose to promote a study break contest or offer students products on the go. Here at Campus Solution we are staffed with people familiar with each campus and acting as your company’s liaison. We could use street teams to engage the students, and other opportunities include campus postering and signage opportunities through our network of local coffee shops frequented by students.

For more information, please visit us at Campus Solutions. Lets talk and create a unique college marketing plan just for you!

For the majority of women, college is the first time they are shopping for their own beauty, makeup, skin care, and feminine hygiene products.  Students are choosing which products that they want to use. This valuable demographic is picking products that they like, fragrance friends are using, and skin care products that make them feel good. When the student makes a connection with the brand prior to shopping, they are more likely to choose the product when shopping because of familiarity.

Campus Solutions Inc. provides the opportunity for your brand to interact with college students through our large network of sororities and college women student groups. We understand the need for your brand to connect with this demographic and can help.

For more information, visit our website at: www.campussolutionsinc.com

March Madness, the NCAA Men’s Division Basketball Championship, is hot right now.  College students are looking for a larger place then their dorm to gather around and watch it together. A Fan Zone is the perfect place for students to watch and companies to host, advertise, and provide snacks for these students.

The Fan Zone can be placed in a common area, such as the student union, with several places to sit. This designated area can be the host to the rest of the March Madness games, providing students with an awesome place to hang with friends and enjoy the madness that is March Madness.

Campus Solutions understands the frenzy and wants to work with you to create Fan Zones on college campuses across the United States.

For more information visit our website, www.campussolutionsinc.com

Who is in your final four?

Going green has become a trend that many college students are becoming more and more aware of, especially in fraternities and sororities. This past February, 29 Greek houses participated in the “do it in the dark” contest.  It’s a newly created energy sustainability contest that will hopefully grow within in the next few years and cut across many of the US college campus. In its first year, they have estimated that roughly 6,000 students in the Greek organizations are participating. According to Ian Champ, who is one of the co-founders of the contest, “the Greeks love competition” and “everyone seems excited about the contest”.

There are three prizes that will be awarded at the end of the following month. The 3 housed with the highest kilowatt-hour reduction compared with their February 2011 bills will when the “Green Gorilla” prize, which is a $750 donation to any charitable organization.  When it comes to the smaller houses they will base the winner off the percentage of reduction in kilowatt-hour.

Campus Solution sees this as a great opportunity for businesses to jump in on the action and help inform students on how to conserve energy. It’s a great way for companies to utilize our extensive “Greek organization network” to help these houses conserve energy, while being informed of your products. We can have street teams that go directly to the houses and offer your products with energy saving tips. We can also have company branded t-shirts with quotes like “ I can shower quicker then you can” or “Turn me on by turning (picture of a switch) me off”. Our brand ambassadors can also hand out flyers and inform students face to face, while providing information on your company and brands.

For more information on Campus Solutions’ college marketing and out-of-home media, please visit our website at www.campussolutionsinc.com.

Spring Break is around the corner and college students are getting ready to go on the vacation they’ve been saving up for all year. With the increased popularity of marketers getting their foot in the door on the beach, at the club and in restaurants, the hotel is also a great place to greet students. Whether it is presenting them with a sample upon first arrival at the hotel or an in-room promotion, all can be an effective way to reach the college student on Spring Break.

Campus Solutions’ extensive network of college media offerings include a variety of unique and effective Spring Break tactics for your company this 2012 season.

For more information on Spring Break hotel media, please visit our website at www.campussolutionsinc.com.

With the help of technology, many find themselves switching from print copy to digital copy of newspapers, books and magazines. Although this is a large trend throughout the world, one thing remains in print: the college newspaper. The college newspaper is still alive and printing. Unlike any other paper, the college newspaper is still in print and students prefer it this way. The weekly campus newspaper is a great way for students to connect with each other as well as outside business to connect with college students.

The college newspaper is a wonderful way for local companies to connect with students and advertise their service. Whether it is a coupon for dinner, a free drink at the bar during happy hour, or simply telling them about a new local boutique, college students will see it, talk about it and buzz will be created.

National companies can also have an impact in the campus newspaper.  Campus Solutions has a network of over 3,000 campuses across the country and can provide companies with a way to get in touch and market.

For more information, please visit our website.

Hamburgers, french fries, milkshakes and an occasional late night pizza delivery are all contributors to the dreaded freshman 15.  Many college students are aware of the potential weight gain freshman year and throughout college but are out of sorts on how to prevent or change it.

If students had access to the knowledge and information needed to stay fit, healthy and active while in college, this weight gain might not be such a huge problem.

From a marketer stand point, there are many things weight loss companies and food vendors can do to help students during the school year. Companies have the ability to target incoming freshman and help overcome the initial hurdles. Setting up a healthy lifestyle from day one can create a pattern and consistency throughout college. In addition, targeting current students, despite the age can be beneficial. It is never too late.

Campus Solutions encourages companies interested in college marketing and college media to contact us at Campus Solutions.

“Summer breeze makes me feel fine…”

Summertime means relaxation, fun times, and no class for college students. Money is being made, and with little bills to pay, it is a perfect time to attend a concert. There is a ton of access and capabilities to target college students at a concert through various ways. Whether it is offering a free drink with a purchased meal or $5 off a band t-shirt, students will interact for the few minutes it takes to receive the coupon.

With several summer tours in 2012 such as: The Bamboozle Festival, Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, college students will be present.

Students aged 18-24 is a marketers dream and concerts are the perfect place to find a dense population of this target demographic.  Students are in a relaxed and fun environment, which makes it easier to convey.

This can be an easy incentive for students. Interact with a brand for a few minutes and receive a few dollars worth of freebies.  For brands, there is a ton of potential at a summer concert to reach your target market.

Is there a summer tour we missed that you plan on attending?

For more information on how to connect with college students this summer please visit our Website or email Bryan