Armed with creative ideas and lots of enthusiasm, the second-year Marketing Management students had to present their UP-Playboy/Playgirl deodorant projects to a panel of judges recently. The panel consisted of three representatives from manufacturer of cosmetics, toiletries, hair products, pharmaceuticals and skin care products Amka, Mr Mohamed Kalla (General Manager of Fragrance), Mr Jack Kruger (Marketing Manager of Fragrance) and Mr Zaweer Ebrahim (Assistant Brand Manager on the Playboy and Playgirl deodorant brands); two representatives from advertising, promotions and design agency Limelight SA, Mr Bruno Quebra (Managing Director) and Ms Mignon Fine (Account Director); as well as the second-year Marketing Management lecturer Ms Laureane du Plessis. Excited to hear the ideas that the students came up with, the panel of judges had a long day of presentations ahead of them.  

 

Students were challenged to develop a marketing communication campaign for either Playboy or Playgirl deodorant, targeting the younger market of 18-25-year-old either males or females. The students’ ideas were well-thought through and presented in a professional manner that included videos, images and real-life examples as to how they see their campaigns roll out. Interestingly, the majority of the student teams linked their campaigns to one or other social responsibility initiative. Whether going green and recycling, gender-based violence, empowering women, xenophobia or homophobia, the social theme really pulled through in all the presentations, just showing how top-of-mind these aspects are amongst the students. The panel of judges were very impressed with the standard of work that the students demonstrated and gave positive and constructive feedback throughout the day.

 

The end of the exam presentations signalled the end of the UP-Playboy/Playgirl deodorant project for 2019, leaving the students with a huge sigh of relief as one exam was done and dusted and the students could focus on the remainder of the exam papers. In a debriefing session after the presentations, the panel of judges emphasised how impressed they were with the students in terms of their presentation skills, creative ideas, practical feasibility and strategic thinking capabilities, especially given the fact that they are only second-year students.

 

Having the opportunity to present out-of-the box ideas to a panel of industry experts truly provides an amazing platform for students to learn and grow, not only in their creative thinking and presentation skills, but also in their self-confidence, giving them the boost that they need to excel in their field of study. Thank you to the representatives from Amka and Limelight SA for providing our second-year Marketing Management students with the opportunity and privilege to learn from industry experts.

 

 

Relieved students as their UP-Playboy/Playgirl project came to an end. From left: Nina Neeb, Andile Nkala, Tanatswa Kamukapa, Dean van Wyk, Oratile Setshedi, and Wandisile Makhubu  

 

 

Relieved students as their UP-Playboy/Playgirl project came to an end. From left: Marinus Janse van Rensburg, Cameron Sathiah, Brinlee Bontekoning, Jennifer Cazalet, Paige Gavin, and Umeonisofien Dikio