INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY OF CHICAGO 3600 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 773.782.2800 fax 773.782.5042 info@infantwelfare.org
AUXILIARY
INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY of CHICAGO
Supporting a tradition of visionary care
a legacy of caring
Given that fact, it’s not all that surprising that when Leia and her classmates in a mass media course at the College of DuPage were asked to select a charity for an advertising project, her thoughts immediately turned to IWS. She talked to the other students about the services it provides and how important its work is to Chicago’s women and children in need, and she recommended that they select it as the focus of their project. Apparently she made a convincing argument, and her classmates agreed.
They began their research on the IWS website. Leia said it was a very useful tool that gave a great overview of the work the Clinic does, its patient population and its range of services. They also reviewed other literature the Clinic provided including annual reports and brochures. Then, it was on to the proverbial drawing board to begin brainstorming ideas for the IWS campaign. Ultimately, that campaign included concepts for a billboard, two print ads, a radio advertisement, a one-minute commercial, a press release and a media plan. Interestingly, one of the students, Dave Valdez, created original music for both the radio ad and the commercial. Dave is an up-and-coming artist with his own band, Valaska.
The students had just two weeks to put it all together, and from all reports they did a fantastic job. But don’t take our word for that. Their instructor, Assistant Professor Sandy Fries, gave them an unprecedented 150% on the project with significant extra credit awarded for their creativity and content. He says, “At the beginning of the term, I wrote a detailed, three-page assignment sheet telling my students exactly what I wanted: market research, print ads, TV ads, radio ads and even public relations approaches. My students presented an amazing advertising campaign that was better than many professional campaigns I’ve seen.”
According to Leia, the project was truly a collaborative effort, and credit should rightfully be given to every member of the group that includes Siania Allen, Shannon Disalvo, Emily Gryglak, Nick Lo Vetere, Emilio Morrone, Dave Valdez and Chelsea Voigt.
We congratulate the entire group on a great effort. They told the IWS story well, and we feel fortunate to have been selected as the subject of their advertising campaign. These students are a great example of the collective power of creative young minds and philanthropic spirits.
They began their research on the IWS website. Leia said it was a very useful tool that gave a great overview of the work the Clinic does, its patient population and its range of services. They also reviewed other literature the Clinic provided including annual reports and brochures. Then, it was on to the proverbial drawing board to begin brainstorming ideas for the IWS campaign. Ultimately, that campaign included concepts for a billboard, two print ads, a radio advertisement, a one-minute commercial, a press release and a media plan. Interestingly, one of the students, Dave Valdez, created original music for both the radio ad and the commercial. Dave is an up-and-coming artist with his own band, Valaska.
The students had just two weeks to put it all together, and from all reports they did a fantastic job. But don’t take our word for that. Their instructor, Assistant Professor Sandy Fries, gave them an unprecedented 150% on the project with significant extra credit awarded for their creativity and content. He says, “At the beginning of the term, I wrote a detailed, three-page assignment sheet telling my students exactly what I wanted: market research, print ads, TV ads, radio ads and even public relations approaches. My students presented an amazing advertising campaign that was better than many professional campaigns I’ve seen.”
According to Leia, the project was truly a collaborative effort, and credit should rightfully be given to every member of the group that includes Siania Allen, Shannon Disalvo, Emily Gryglak, Nick Lo Vetere, Emilio Morrone, Dave Valdez and Chelsea Voigt.
We congratulate the entire group on a great effort. They told the IWS story well, and we feel fortunate to have been selected as the subject of their advertising campaign. These students are a great example of the collective power of creative young minds and philanthropic spirits.
Leia Parrish has known about the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago for some time now. After all, she’s a close friend of the Danly family in Wheaton. Pat Danly is a member of our Auxiliary’s Executive Committee and a longtime supporter of the Clinic. She is never at a loss for words when it comes to IWS and the important work it does on behalf of its patients, and Pat has shared her thoughts on the subject with Leia. In fact, Leia has toured the Clinic and was very impressed by what she saw.
AUXILIARY PARTNERS WITH
COLLEGE OF DUPAGE COUNTY
MASS MEDIA CLASS
