Business Commons^™

Coffee Cactus, Mackenzie Haneman

Graphic Communication

Coffee is one of the most well known and enjoyed drinks in the world. So many people go out to coffee shops to get work done, catch up with friends, or just to simply enjoy a local cup of coffee. Yet, many people find it difficult to bring that experience into the comfort of their own homes or have found tools that bring a personal and unique experience. Espresso machines, coffee tools, and unique terminology can be very intimidating for someone who is just starting to learn about coffee or wants to grow their own at home experience. The problem …

Graduate Internship Report - Cal Poly Bull Test, Kayla Marie Dubowsky

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

The Cal Poly Bull Test has a long-standing history on the university campus. The program has continued to grow and improve since it was founded in 1956 and with these improvements to the program, the marketing and curriculum need to adapt as well. For this internship, I worked in partnership with Dr. McFarlane on three main projects focusing on rebranding, curriculum development, and the creation of marketing materials. The rebranding consisted of the creation of a new logo and an updated brand guide. The curriculum development consisted of the creation of a marketing module for the enterprise-class that focuses on …

Dunites Wine Company: Digital Redesign, Alexandra Messner

Graphic Communication

This project is a digital redesign for Dunites Wine Company, a small San Luis Obispo wine brand. By improving their website usability and consistency, Dunites Wine Co. can generate excitement and awareness about their brand. The end deliverables will include photography, refreshed branding, and an updated website.

Converting Horizontal Media For Vertical Platforms, Eric A. Hernandez

Graphic Communication

Today, most media is viewed on mobile phones and seen on a vertical screen. There are very few methods for converting horizontal media into vertical media for vertical platforms. This manual shows new ways to redesign horizontal content so that it looks better on vertical displays; I imagine watching things like the Super Bowl or the The Grammys on TikTok or Instagram with a new broadcast design that is more attractive.

Mother Lou Studio: Branding For A Handcrafted Jewelry Business, Amanda K. Hall

Graphic Communication

In the height of the pandemic I gained interest in jewelry-making. Needing a new hobby, I researched the many methods of making jewelry and soon began practicing the craft. Sand casting became a form of meditation, and I hope to gain more experience in silver smithing in the near future. For my senior project, I wanted to combine my personal, creative abilities with the skills I have learned through my Graphic Communication courses. This project showcases my design and business skills, while building a unique brand that will be a part of my future career.

Take Flight Music Festival Branding, Maxwell Bo Chen, Jake Oxenham

Graphic Communication

We created a branding and design campaign for the Take Flight music festival on campus. The project covered many aspects of event creation and marketing such as name, logo, content creation, social media, printed media, vendor outreach, and administration outreach. All these pieces had to work together to create a strong and cohesive brand image for this event which would help ensure a successful turnout and event overall.

Talia Cooks 4 You: Brand And Product Development, Shannon L. Brierty

Graphic Communication

I created a Cookbook for Talia because I wanted to incorporate easy to follow recipes and helpful techniques to teach food science basics. She is a fourth-year Food Science major with a concentration in Culinology. Her love for cooking and baking led her to food science, which has changed the way she sees food and cooking for the better. She has a significant following so I wanted to create a brand for her that she can build off of in the future. My three deliverables for this project are a physical cookbook, marketing for her product, and a website to …

Market To Me: A Case Study On The Marketing Efforts Of Salesforce Software Company, Marissa Adrianna Spiess Espinola

Experience Industry Management

Social media platforms constitute outstanding channels for fostering relationships with consumers. Recently, there has been a drastic shift towards social media marketing and away from traditional marketing. Marketers are beginning to understand the importance of social media opportunity and are implementing social media marketing strategies and initiatives into companywide marketing practices. Companies cannot afford to lack presence on social media, as competitors could outpace them with marketing efforts of products and services to the public. Social media has become a necessary tool when marketing and advertising. The purpose of this study was to examine social media marketing practices of Salesforce …

Yeti: A Cooler Way To Market Your Product, Alana Trnavsky

Experience Industry Management

With the increased use of technology, marketing has evolved to primarily use social and digital media as the platform utilized to share content. Brands have creatively implemented new ways to market their products and services to distinguish themselves from other brands. The purpose of this study was to examine YETI’s marketing strategies. YETI is a high-end outdoor gear brand that is known for its sturdy coolers and drinkware. The research was gathered using a case study guide developed by the researcher, which outlined YETI’s current marketing practices. Within this study, there is an instrument used as a guideline to evaluate …

Saturday Night Live Club Lamb Sale, Tyler P. Wilkerson

Agricultural Education and Communication

“Competition is said to be the backbone of the stock show industry,” (Davis, 1998). A statement spoken in a 1998 thesis paper on the junior livestock industry still holds water in today’s world. Youth livestock exhibition, especially in California, continues to grow in the number of youth participants and the number of livestock entries at shows (Switzer, 2019).

It is the responsibility of livestock breeders to breed, raise, and sell their livestock to maximize the opportunity for youth to acquire livestock to show. In his research, Wendt discusses the capabilities of purchasing livestock through online platforms. He speaks to the …

Central Coast Creamery Marketing Pamphlet, Camille E. Silvera

Agricultural Education and Communication

The author researched how to create an efficient pamphlet to effectively market and promote Central Coast Creamery's new catering services.

Travel Big Spend Less, Jessica Sharpe

Journalism

Travel Big Spend Less is a blog designed for college students who are looking for inspiration and ways to travel on a budget. I started this website after taking Advanced Digital Journalism (JOUR 410) and finding a way to keep my study abroad spirit alive. Creating the website from scratch as well as creating multimedia journalism components for the website have been one part of this project.

After starting this platform my friend and I who studied abroad together decided that we should write a book as well. The book is titled “A Guide to Studying Abroad.” Both the blog …

Graduate Internship Report - Cactus Ropes, Chelsey K. Bushnell

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship was a partnership between the Cal Poly Rodeo program and Cactus Ropes. I interned with marketing and promotion for Cactus Ropes. My main responsibility was managing and creating promotional jackpot ropings, creating promotional highlight videos for social media, promotional marketing ideas for the Poly Royal Rodeo, promotional highlight shots of the night at the rodeo, and involving Cactus Ropes with with Cal Poly Rodeo. I also participated in other aspects of promotions and events, including taking promotional photographs of rodeo athletes using Cactus Ropes, assisting in event planning, and promoting ropes and products. Besides organizing the awards given …

The Wine Stone Inn, Kendall N. Doud

Agricultural Education and Communication

The Wine Stone Inn is a new 12-room boutique hotel currently being built in Old Town Orcutt, California. The hotel is seeking a grand opening that will attract vintner business, agribusiness, and agricultural vendors for the hotel, and help promote local wineries and breweries in the Santa Maria Valley. Orcutt is a growing township, which is becoming very attractive to visitors because of the walking distance to restaurants, local pubs, wine venues, and other businesses that project growth in the future. Agribusiness makes up a small percentage of the corporate market and agritourism is a growing segment in this area. …

Fresh Squeezed Fitness: A Case Study On The Marketing Of Orangetheory Fitness, Emma Schmidt

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

The fitness industry has grown immensely in the past decade as a form of health management. The industry has expanded to offer niche fitness facilities that cater to individuals’ specific needs and motivations. The purpose of this study was to examine the best marketing and branding practices utilized by Orangetheory Fitness. The research for this study was collected using a case study matrix, developed by the researcher, to evaluate Orangetheory Fitness’ marketing strategies. The study resulted in findings indicating the importance of technology advancement and brand differentiation pertaining to the success of Orangetheory Fitness. It is crucial for Orangetheory Fitness …

The Effects Of Organizational Philanthropic Movements And Related Public Relations Strategies, Gabriella C. Trapani

Journalism

The following is a comprehensive public relations campaign created after extensive research on public relations efforts and corporate social responsibility. The study is mainly focused on establishing the relationship, if any, between a company’s philanthropic efforts and their profits. The study seeks to answer questions such as “Is the return on investment for philanthropic giving worth it?” and “How might this impact company morale?” With a focus on measuring the success of a philanthropic campaign created for Sereno Group Real Estate company, a small to midsize residential real estate company in the Silicon Valley, this study serves as a basis …

Wisehart Cutting Horses Business And Customer Portfolio, Tawni Brook Stoneburner

Agricultural Education and Communication

The cutting horse industry has been around for many years with the first competition being held in 1898, as a way for people to prove their own horses’ ranch talents and has now grown to an industry based on trainers and clients (NCHA, 2018). The main goal of the trainer is to get a horse prepared to show at its best ability and to win the most earnings (Wisehart, E., 2017). According to the American Quarter Horse Handbook, “Judges score the horses on their ability to keep the cow from returning to the herd, cow sense, attentiveness and courage.” (AQHA …

Malene Wines: The Beginning Of A Brand, Tyler Menane

Agricultural Education and Communication

Malene Wines is the most recently developing brand under the Crimson Wine Group. Currently, the brand is being produced and managed under Chamisal Vineyards. Malene Wines started off with one brand of rosé wine, that has only been available for purchase in the Chamisal tasting room or wholesale. This has caused confusion for the consumer in differentiating the two brands. To help begin the separation of the two brands, Malene Wines has recently received a modified Airstream trailer to serve as a mobile tasting room.

Whereas Chamisal Vineyards is a brand focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with small production …

Bringing Awareness Of Associated Students, Inc. Club Funding Opportunities To Cal Poly Clubs: Increasing Participation Through Public Relations, Abby Lee Cavanaugh

Journalism

The following study investigates the strategies and tactics that are most important when developing and implementing a public relations campaign geared towards university students. It analyzes the best practices of researching, creating and evaluating awareness programs. This study serves as the basis for the “Bringing Awareness of Associated Students, Inc. Club Funding Opportunities to Cal Poly Clubs: Increasing Participation Through Public Relations” campaign. In this campaign, Associated Students, Inc (ASI) Club Services is seeking to increase awareness and participation in its club funding program. The campaign includes a situation analysis, SWOT analysis, goals, objectives, target audience, media, strategies, tactics, evaluation, …

Business Model: California Agriculture Marketing Agency, Mary M. Alameda, Emma L. Larson

Agricultural Education and Communication

The importance of creating a marketing agency specializing in agriculture is to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. The lack of transparency from the producer has created a torn industry causing the average consumer to be questioning his or her food, or simply not understanding the agricultural way of life. An agricultural marketing firm in California can represent and advocate for local businesses to start closing the producer to consumer gap.

The American farmer excels at many things, but lacks in public communications. Modern day farmers have been able to produce more food than ever despite fewer resources and …

Effective Methods Of Marketing An On-Campus Resource To College Students, Samantha Gary

Graphic Communication

The problem this research it attempting to solve is how to market an on-campus resource to college students. Through conducting surveys, gathering research, reviewing case studies, and analyzing data, the author has found that the answer is to not to segment college students by major. It is more effective to figure out what a typical students’ needs are and address them by providing a solution to their problems. By strategically placing printed posters around campus that capitalized on student’s needs for study breaks and outlets to tap in to their ideas, the author found that more students respond to this …

Marketing And Advertising For Small Business In Local Economies, Nathan Ross

Graphic Communication

This paper analyzed traditional and current marketing and advertising strategies employed by small and local businesses. The research focused on understanding issues and struggles for small businesses in terms of marketing and advertising in order to develop and test a new strategy that was focused on a community event. The event was designed to assimilate successful aspects of current marketing plans into one that has low monetary risk, and little to no extra time investment for the business. A community was created by an art collective called Nomadic Artifacts which was the basis for a case study.

The “Arts & …

Transitioning College Media From Print Focused Business Models To Digitally Focused Business Models, Celina Oseguera

Journalism

The noticeable downturn in print advertising indicates a need for change in the news industry business model. College media is not immune to this decline and need for change. A change in business model calls for transitioning to an alternative system that does not primarily rely on print products and advertising — a digitally focused business model. Many college media organizations around the United States have started to pursue this type of model, changing the way they produce and present news in the process. Taking into account the state of print focused business models in the general and collegiate news …

More Than A Tent: A Case Study On Live Brand Experiences At Coachella Music Festival, Tori Perrella

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

In recent years, society has seen a shift of marketing practices from traditional strategies to experiential marketing in order for brands to connect with individuals on an emotional level. Live brand experiences contribute to companies building relationships with consumers to create unique, memorable experiences that will be associated with the brand after the event. The purpose of this study was to examine the best practices of live brand experiences at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The research for this study was conducted using a case study guide created by the researcher, which examined brands’ past brand activations at Coachella. …

Marketing To Millennials: Improving Relationships With Millennial Consumers Through Online Advertising And Social Media Networking, Shawna Brown

Marketing

As the influence of the millennial population continues to grow, there is an increased demand for effective marketing techniques and methods for reaching this demographic group. With the expansion of technology and growth of social media, the advertising world has experienced tremendous changes in recent years that have been supplemented by the complexity of one of the world’s largest populations: millennials. While the millennial demographic is a difficult group that present a multitude of challenges for marketers, their purchasing power and growing influence act as a promising opportunity for brands.

This study examines the degree to which brands can effectively …

Marketing Alaskan Seafood: Strategies With Brand Identification, Differentiation, And Promotions, Anna Jacobson

Journalism

Everyday the globe experiences changes with food. New methods in growing and harvesting are becoming approved, while others are frowned upon. People care more about where their food comes from than ever before. This research is to explore how Alaska seafood can successfully market their products in an ever-changing world. As challenges present themselves in the industry, opportunities are there as well.

This study sets out to explore marketing strategies for promoting a seafood brand. Through exploring current literature and interviewing experts to obtain data, conclusions will be drawn and analyzed. These findings will help to understand the best practices …

An Advertising Plan For Clarityadm, Chelsey Porter

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project is to develop an advertising plan for a small business based on the central coast. In this project you will find information pertaining to the aquarium keeping hobby as well as creating business website and business cards. This was designed to create a website and business cards in order to broaden the customer base for the business and increase profits.

The Economics Of Successful Billboard Advertising, Alexa Thomas

Graphic Communication

This study explains the economics of billboard advertising, specifically pertaining to the internal and external elements that make them effective for both consumers and the brand. Billboards have been used as an advertising medium for more than a century, and are still used today. The question is, “What about billboards make them so effective?” Secondary research was examined to better understand the history of billboards, how they compare to other mediums, and the elements experts consider throughout the campaign process. After analyzing secondary articles and studies, primary research was conducted by interviewing a sample of consumers and experts to determine …

Consumer Perceptions Of Cross Promotional Strategies: Exploratory Research In The Music And Fashion Industries, Nora E. Heally

Journalism

The aim of this study was to explore how cross-promotion and experiential marketing influence brand building within the context of the music and fashion industries.

A-B testing was used to collect data on user perception of different design elements on a point-of-purchase web page. The data was analyzed to determine which design elements were most successful in positively influencing purchase intent of the user.

Overall, the participants is this study favored the treatment websites (58% average) to the control websites (42% average). To appeal to the consumer and begin the experiential marketing process for an event, a website should contain …

The Effects Of Social Media & Web Development On Product Promotion & The Effects Of Branding On Sales And Building A Startup, Scott Toshiro Burns, Galen Quan Tran

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify the key components needed to make a startup. This included created making a landing page and also driving traffic to the page through Facebook. On the landing page section, there was a test to see what would provide the best user experience using Squarespace. This entailed looking into different layouts and using analytics to determine how effective the landing page was in converting customers. In terms of Facebook research, went into looking into creating a method into driving leads into the prospect pipeline. A campaign was run to gather all the data …