Business Commons^™

The Development Of A Social Media Strategy For The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights, Natalie Ritter

Senior Honors Theses

In this thesis, an examination is conducted on the design, development, process, and execution of a social media strategy for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights, a junior hockey team composed of 16-20 year old players based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The strategy takes into consideration not only the extraordinary role that social media can play in the success of a team’s overall development and marketing plan, but also the team’s specific mission and objectives as well as the intricacies that come with media within the sports industry. An in-depth literature review discusses the importance of a social media strategy and how an …

The Intersection Of Digital Communication & Non-Profit Organizations, Aliyah Burton

Senior Honors Theses

Non-profit organizations are actively addressing prevalent issues in society, seeking to benefit the public and those in need through various forms of intervention and programming. Non-profits have unique leadership and culture, requiring models of communication that fit these unique qualities. Communication is vital to the success of non-profits, particularly in a digital age. This thesis synthesizes the current research on non-profit culture and leadership with data on donor trends, online giving, social media practices, and more points of interest for non-profits when it comes to digital communication. Additionally, a connection is made between strong digital communication strategies and ongoing donor …

Disney's Strategic Marketing Tactics For Children Ages 2-10, Sydney Geist

Senior Honors Theses

One of the many ways Disney is a successful organization is because of the effective use of marketing. For Disney to be able to have effective marketing tactics within the entire target audience, market segmentation must take place. A prevalent segment within Disney’s target market is children ages 2-10. There are differences in emotional maturity and interests throughout this age range which requires Disney to start the process of segmentation. Many factors that encompass the process of segmentation are attitudes, interests, and opinions that define this segment. These factors also need to be taken into consideration when marketing to parents …

The Bride, Millennial Identity, And Instagram: A Case Study Of Hillsong Australia’S Instagram Account, Jessica Delp

Senior Honors Theses

Identity has become an incessant focus for millennials. They ascribe ever-growing significance to identity anchored in an accepting community that elevates their perception. Subsequently, identity is increasingly significant for brand and consumer relationships. Successful brands understand this and incorporate a pervasive sense of their unique identity into their brand, visually and otherwise. This case study of Hillsong Church hopes to help churches understand the importance of visuals in communicating identity. Hillsong Australia’s Instagram is examined using the Saussure model of visual semiotic theory to understand how they present their church identity in relation to millennial identity. The two most dominant …

Funding A Feature: Creating A Film Business Plan, Jordan C. Hunt

Senior Honors Theses

Every film, from the smallest indie to the biggest studio blockbuster, must be funded, and all investors who finance a movie expect that the movie will give them a return on their investment. In order to seek funding, many filmmakers create a business plan to present to potential investors. Beginning with the film industry as a whole, this paper will define a specific target audience and distribution plan for one film in order to create a business plan. The film, titled Intertwined, is an independent low budget family drama that will primarily raise funds through equity investors. This is …

Business For The Glory Of God, Abigail Daniels

Senior Honors Theses

The grand narrative of the Bible could be broken into three distinct parts- Creation, Fall, and Redemption. The main focus of this paper will go through the distinct parts of Creation and the Fall, but the focus will be on Redemption specifically in the realm of work and how it relates to business marketing. In Creation, God created us in His image meaning we were gifted with the ability to create and to form relationships. We express God’s image through the dominion mandate, which is God’s command to us to be stewards of the earth through the act of work. …

The Internal Effects Of Corporate Social Responsibility On Firm Performance, Lindsay Harris

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to identify the internal effects of corporate social responsibility on firm performance. It also examines the definition of corporate social responsibility and two varying theories about the topic. This thesis explores the human resource, quality and financial aspects of firm performance and how those aspects of a company are affected by adopting significant corporate social responsibility programs. This research seeks to answer the claim that corporate social responsibility programs do not have a positive effect on the actual performance of an organization. It will examine the effect of CSR on employee attitudes, moral and …

Political Marketing: How Social Media Influenced The 2008-2016 U.S. Presidential Elections And Best Practices Associated, Morgan Swartley

Senior Honors Theses

Political marketing has become a growing facet of marketing that has infiltrated the campaigning of U.S. presidential elections. Within this cognate of marketing, social media has become a major component of predicting election outcomes starting with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. An analysis of the social media performance of candidates from the 2008 to 2016 U.S. presidential elections reveals how the power of social media can be harnessed to increase voter participation, connect voters to offline political activity, and engage voters with candidates on a more personal note. Social media political marketing should further emphasize the candidate’s brand and build …

Building A Brand For A New Generation, Joel Schlaudt

Senior Honors Theses

In a segment of the market as highly competitive as is the coffee industry, it can be difficult to forge a new brand strong enough to stand on its own and unique enough to stand above the competition. However, by choosing the millennial generation as a target audience and strategically constructing a creative strategy to reach them on an emotional level, a brand concept emerges with the ability to connect with consumers in a new way, transforming a daily necessity into an emotional experience unlike that offered by any other competitor. A Harry Potter-inspired brand built upon a delivery …

A Critical Perspective On Short-Term Missions, Sarah M. Bunyea

Senior Honors Theses

There is a growing number of participants going of short-term mission trips from the North American church. There are many criticisms of short-term mission trips, including that they are planned around tourism and completing projects, rather than learning from the people in the communities being visited and sharing in their own Christian ministry. One reason for this is that false promotional messages from churches and mission organizations give participants wrong perceptions of the purpose of these trips, creating market demand for tourists who want to help the poor. Mission organizations and churches not only need to change the structure of …

Cultivate: Inspiring Women In Their Pursuit Of Creativity And Entrepreneurship, Ana P. Campbell

Senior Honors Theses

Cultivate Magazine’s purpose is to inspire and educate creative women in their business ventures. Furthermore, Cultivate serves as a catalyst for our readers’ business by featuring insightful interviews from other creative women and practical advice on how to run a successful creative business. In short, Cultivate’s target market is female creative business owners with occupations such as photographers, designers, writers, entrepreneurs, artists, and bloggers.

The Effects Of The Internet On Marketing, Alexander M. Payne

Senior Honors Theses

With the use of the Internet, marketers are able to reach consumers where they work, play, shop, and live more efficiently than without it. Through e-commerce, social media, mobile phones, and much more, businesses are able to spread brand awareness, increase market share, and unveil new products. With this great opportunity comes an equally great responsibility, as businesses have now come under extreme scrutiny by their customers. In the Information Age, news travels faster and farther than ever before, with the news of ethical mishaps reaching even the smallest of shareholders. The most crucial element in e-commerce is trust and …

The Misunderstanding Of Multi-Level Marketing, Adrienne D. Reavis

Senior Honors Theses

The structure of multi-level marketing has been mistaken for a pyramid scheme with the introduction of companies, such as Amway, Avon and Mary Kay Cosmetics. The concept of multi-level marketing includes a system of selling a company’s product that involves a pyramid of sales persons. Even though a pyramid structure is present within multi-level marketing, it does not influence the entirety of the business. Because multi-level marketing is a successful manner in which individuals can achieve financial freedom, multi-level marketing companies have migrated to various parts of the world, especially China. However, recent controversies have occurred in China because the …

Social Media Strategic Plan For Under Armour, Ashley Leers

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis is a study of the effects of social media on an organization’s integrated marketing communications strategy in general and provides a proposal of how the sports apparel company Under Armour could use social media to enhance its promotional strategies. It is a discussion of the implications that social media has on consumer behavior with focus on how social media has changed the way today’s consumers interact with brands. This thesis provides an analysis of the growing importance of social media being implemented within a business. Benefits discussed include the appeal of social media over traditional media, increased customer …

Making The Magic: How Public Relations Is Handled At The Disney Parks, Elizabeth Demeo

Senior Honors Theses

The Walt Disney Company has always been an organization that has prided itself on its corporate image. One of their biggest successes has been their 11 theme parks across the globe. Ever since its creation in 1955, Disneyland has been known as "the happiest place on earth." However, many wonder how this reputation came to be and how it is being maintained today. To find this answer, one must look to the creative minds behind Disney's public relations. By examining the Disney parks and their public relations history, tactics, crisis management and current and future campaigns, companies can find out …

Reflections Magazine - A Promotional Magazine For Reflections Adoption Ministry, Kamryn Reynolds

Senior Honors Theses

For my senior honors thesis I have received permission to present a project along with its scholarly apparatus. I will be displaying ways to apply communications to ministry. The project will be a promotional magazine and informational materials. For the thesis I will include the magazine and a press release. I will be approaching some marketing techniques for a non-profit organization and assessing potential ways to reach the public. Many organizations are doing incredible work to fight social injustice and oftentimes few people understand the issues. I want to show how communication can revitalize ministry and get the word out …

Successfully Social: A Non-Profit’S Guide To Modern Social Media Marketing, Deana D. Dennis

Senior Honors Theses

Social media has revolutionized modern business and marketing practices by providing a mass audience of potential stakeholders for all business entities. Nonprofit organizations that learn to utilize social media affectively could benefit in virtually every organizational initiative, including marketing, fundraising, and advocacy, by easily connecting to target audiences through the power of virtual social networking. The specific focus of this work is on Christian ministries and charitable organizations. Case studies of two differing Christian organizations are discussed: the relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse and the young adult ministry, Love and Respect (NOW). The case studies explore the organizations’ background and mission, …

Building A Successful Publishing Company, Joshua M. Buechner

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

In the present book publishing industry, it is becoming increasingly difficult for traditional book publishing companies to compete and adapt due to the changing structure of the industry. By examining the history and industry of book publishing and lessons from Disney, TOMS Shoes, and the film industry, a feasible business strategy will be formulated for a book publishing company. Trends such as the rise in self-publishers and the balance between print books and eBooks are dramatically changing the industry environment, shifting the power towards authors more than ever before. Where once the only way to publish was through a …

Business Startup And Cause Marketing In The Running Apparel Industry, Zachary Barker

Senior Honors Theses

Entrepreneurship has been the backbone of the American economy since the penning of the Declaration of Independence. Small businesses help the United States prosper and help create jobs for the American people. As today’s business world is increasingly changing in a technological and global way, entrepreneurs must consider many environmental conditions in their small business planning. Business start-up is a long process backed by research and market testing that will maximize the opportunity for success. One way many business start-ups have become successful is through cause-related marketing programs that many people support. Additionally, a particular industry that has proven to …

Introducing Target Into Singapore, Yealim Ko

Senior Honors Theses

The global business trends point to international expansions with corporations increasingly turning to emerging markets for new opportunities to grow and create new sources of revenues. While the BRIC countries including Brazil, Russia, India, and China remain at the center of attention from global industries, the surrounding countries in Asia including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore emerge as potential markets because although smaller in size, the surrounding countries with fast growing economy and consumer demand for foreign goods suggest large profit potentials. Considering the increasing trend of going abroad in the retail industry (S&P, 2013), the paper is an …

How The Internet Has Revolutionized Video Marketing, Dylan D. Sheldon

Senior Honors Theses

From the creation of film to the streaming of digital media, moving pictures have always been a premier medium of marketing. Today, the use of video in marketing offers an experience unlike any other for consumers by engaging them in an entertaining, yet informative, format. In the past few decades, the surge of the Internet has chan From the creation of film to the streaming of digital media, moving pictures have always been a premier medium of marketing. Today, the use of video in marketing offers an experience unlike any other for consumers by engaging them in an entertaining, yet …

Social Recruiting: The Role Of Social Networking Websites In The Hiring Practices Of Major Advertising And Public Relations Firms, Keri Cook

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the role that professional networking websites, such as LinkedIn, play in the hiring decisions of talent recruiters at major advertising and public relations firms. A study of literature relating to social media, traditional recruitment techniques and legal implications regarding the use of networking websites in the hiring process provided a foundation for the study. Primary research, in the form of online surveys distributed to hiring managers at some of the largest international advertising and public relations firms, was conducted to set a foundation for understanding the use of networking websites in the …

Social Media: Revolutionizing The Business World, Emily Raush

Senior Honors Theses

Public communication avenues were greatly affected through the invention of the Internet; however, what has developed communication processes even further is the rise of social media. This thesis explains how the utilization of social media tools is revolutionizing the business world and also provides information to understand the direction in which social media is heading.

Social Media Marketing: Gaining A Competitive Advantage By Reaching The Masses, David J. Perdue

Senior Honors Theses

Social media marketing involves the use of online social media tools—such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn—to reach consumers in innovative ways. Given the increasingly large numbers of consumers using social media, businesses of all types are getting involved in social media in an attempt to reach new audiences and strengthen their ties with existing customers. However, the magnitude of resources available and the potential consequences of a failed social media marketing campaign have left many companies in a state of uncertainty. How can a company develop a social media marketing strategy that will prove successful in the long run? Instead …

A Strategic Analysis Of Foot Locker, Inc., Richard A. Sweeney

Senior Honors Theses

During the past couple of years, Foot Locker, Inc. has underperformed the public’s expectations. This has been evidenced by the rapid slide of its share price. The current economical situation has further weighted down on the company’s ability to provide shareholder value. This paper will describe the problems associated with Foot Locker, Inc.’s underperformance in the marketplace. These problems must be remedied if the company is to earn an attractive rate of return for its investors. Using secondary research, these problem areas will be identified by analyzing the current internal and external situation surrounding Foot Locker, Inc., determining the intensity …

Teenage Consumerism: The Rationale And Results Of Media Marketing, Kristi Wollbrink

Senior Honors Theses

Media marketing is growing in proportion with the advance of many forms of technology and the increase of advertising. Magazines, television, the internet and other media sources have become strong sources of information in a teenager's life. Finding it profitable, companies effectively target adolescents because of four common characteristics: their mass consumption of media, their spending habits, their trendsetting ability, and the vulnerability associated with youth. The effects that marketing institutes during adolescence include an increase in materialism as well as a commitment to brand loyalty. Although parents and peers lay the groundwork for the values that teenagers hold, media …