The talented staff of Rochester’s award-winning social media marketing firm, Helen & Gertrude, welcomed visiting seniors from Churchville-Chili High School on May 2, 2018. The students were there as part of the ACT for Education and Monroe County Small Business Blitz, celebrating 2018’s National Small Business Week.
Students were given an overview of the agency’s work and clients by principals Becca Post and Leire Bascaran; then heard from a media strategist, copywriter, designer and data analyst. “Our social media is so much more than friends and cute memes,” explained Post. “It’s serious end-to-end product branding and comprehensive marketing services.”
An interactive exercise introduced student teams to the challenges inherent in creating attention-getting, effective marketing messaging for a specific audience on social media. Each team picked an interesting object and was asked to develop a one-minute sales pitch to the group.
The visitors were also able to experience a marketing staple – focus group research. In addition to having an interest in marketing and other creative careers, the student group was limited to young women, the target customers for Helen & Gertrude client, Bioré® skincare. They enjoyed answering questions and sharing their opinions, perceptions and attitudes on the company’s products. The young participants got a rare, insider’s view of how marketers gather feedback and data, and then analyze it to help their clients succeed.
The goal of the Small Business Blitz is to connect students from Monroe County school districts with area businesses. This gives them a behind-the-scenes look at industry and the careers offered in our region, along with professional advice and opportunities for developing future mentoring or internships.
The Churchville-Chili school district is a leader in partnering with industry for the benefit of their students. More than 20 local businesses participate in their annual Ninth Grade Academy Career Day, and businesses representing dozens of career fields visit the Middle School throughout the year as part of the school’s Career Connections program.
Churchville-Chili’s Career Education Coordinator Ann Marie Maher is looking forward to developing more partnerships between the district and local businesses. “Programs like this benefit both sides: students learn about career and post-high school educational opportunities, make professional connections, and move forward in discovering where their futures lie. Businesses attract young talent and potential qualified employees, and raise their leadership profile in the community.”
A Community Together (ACT) for Education is an unprecedented initiative by public schools in the Monroe 1 and Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES districts, RCSD, area businesses and community members. For more information, follow them on Twitter @Act4Ed and Facebook@Act4Education or visit www.actforeducation.org.
Helen & Gertrude offers end-to-end social media marketing strategy, creative, statistics and ad buying services. Through the convergence of analytics and creativity, the company delivers award-winning work and effective results for its clients. Helen & Gertrude was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Rochester. For more information, please visit hg.agency.
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