2008 Woodie Awards
Getting a reputation
For college brand ambassadors it is a different type of part-time job
Megan Brooks
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Features
Whether it's North Face or Patagonia, Red Bull over Rockstar or even Apple versus Dell, our lives are branded. They are around every corner and in every classroom. Miami University is inundated with brands-but their reputations and stereotypes aren't created overnight.
But who is responsible for these brands being so prominent around Miami's campus? The students, of course-sometimes with a little extra push.
That help comes from brand representatives or ambassadors who work at campuses and events around the world promoting products and brands, from Microsoft to Mountain Dew and beauty campaigns to car companies.
A rock star rep-literally
Chris Burton is one such person: He is a brand representative for Rockstar Energy Drink. As a senior at Miami University studying finance with a minor in English literature, Burton began working as a representative for Rockstar at the beginning of the semester and has seen that as finals approach, energy drinks frequents the hands of many college students. He said he receives about $200 a month for his work.
"I believe Rockstar targets the college demographic because of the lifestyles college students typically lead," he said. "We need as much energy as we can possibly get, whether it be studying, getting through classes, social activities, etc."
So how exactly do you get one of these jobs? Well for Burton, it was quite easy.
"I actually just received a call one day from a representative from SWAT Marketing, which is the company that is in charge of marketing for Rockstar Energy Drink asking me if I would be interested in becoming a campus rep," Burton said.
Brand representatives are not limited to Miami alone; in fact there are hundreds across the nation at all different universities.
"There are actually 296 representatives across the nation at different colleges promoting the brand and I think that Miami was targeted as a typical college," Burton said.
Burton said busy weeks at Miami, even finals weeks, are some of his best business days.
But who is responsible for these brands being so prominent around Miami's campus? The students, of course-sometimes with a little extra push.
That help comes from brand representatives or ambassadors who work at campuses and events around the world promoting products and brands, from Microsoft to Mountain Dew and beauty campaigns to car companies.
A rock star rep-literally
Chris Burton is one such person: He is a brand representative for Rockstar Energy Drink. As a senior at Miami University studying finance with a minor in English literature, Burton began working as a representative for Rockstar at the beginning of the semester and has seen that as finals approach, energy drinks frequents the hands of many college students. He said he receives about $200 a month for his work.
"I believe Rockstar targets the college demographic because of the lifestyles college students typically lead," he said. "We need as much energy as we can possibly get, whether it be studying, getting through classes, social activities, etc."
So how exactly do you get one of these jobs? Well for Burton, it was quite easy.
"I actually just received a call one day from a representative from SWAT Marketing, which is the company that is in charge of marketing for Rockstar Energy Drink asking me if I would be interested in becoming a campus rep," Burton said.
Brand representatives are not limited to Miami alone; in fact there are hundreds across the nation at all different universities.
"There are actually 296 representatives across the nation at different colleges promoting the brand and I think that Miami was targeted as a typical college," Burton said.
Burton said busy weeks at Miami, even finals weeks, are some of his best business days.
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