Newcastle University

A number of North East organisations are set to reap the benefits of independent marketing advice thanks to the help of some of the region’s brightest young business minds.

Students from Newcastle University Business School have undertaken real-life marketing consultancy projects with businesses, charities and organisations across the region as part of the final stages of their Marketing and Management undergraduate degree, designed as a practical alternative to a standard dissertation.

As part of the projects the Newcastle University Business School students, researched and developed a marketing strategy for organisations including Northumbria Police, ethical online women’s magazine Daisy Green, St Oswald’s Hospice, milkshake bar Shakeaholic and natural beauty products supplier Natural Empathy.

Explaining the benefits of the projects, Stuart Challinor, Marketing Programme Director for the Business School, said:

“Employers are increasingly looking for students who have evidence of practical capability and therefore can hit the ground running, but gaining hands-on experience can be difficult which is why we developed this real scenario module.  Not only do the projects teach students about teamwork, time management, report writing and presentation skills, but the organisations also gain fresh perspective on activity that they often won’t have had the resource to research otherwise. 

“The students are incredibly professional and we were very impressed that they regularly thought beyond the original briefs – if they find an issue outside of the brief they will alert the client and make active decisions about where to take the project just like a real agency would.  The consultancy projects also support Newcastle University Business School’s commitment to regular engagement with the local community and regional businesses.”

Fourteen teams of students worked across eight clients during the 2010 / 2011 consultancy projects which began in October last year.  Places are already filling up for the coming academic year with five clients already in line to take part in the consultancy projects. 

Northumbria Police

Jerry Barker, Chief Inspector for Northumbria Police said:

“On each of the four occasions I have worked with Newcastle University Business School I have been greatly impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, innovative thinking and the high standard of the final report, and I've always been able to use some of the recommendations."

Inspector Paul Hamilton of Gateshead Area Command said:

“As well as providing valuable research and advice to help us get our message across, the students have developed some novel ways in helping us better understand public concerns.  Our collaboration with the students has proved mutually beneficial and I have found them extremely professional and diligent."

Natural Empathy

Philip Stuckey, Strategic Director for Natural Empathy said:

"The marketing students really surpassed our expectations  and we will be working with one of the groups to implement their key suggestions on a new route to market which is very exciting."

St Oswald's Hospice

Debra Daglish, Communications Manager at St Oswald's Hospice spoke about the groups assigned to her projects:

“We worked with two groups of undergraduate students from Newcastle University Business School.  The students were an absolute pleasure to work with and they quickly gained an in-depth knowledge of both our business and the charitable sector. 

All of the students were full of enthusiasm and professionalism in equal measure and we would certainly recommend other companies to work with Newcastle University Business School in the future.”