Powered by MKTG 401 & 402 | Where Strategy Meets Creativity
About the Club?
Boise State’s Advertising Club is more than just a class- it’s a real-world agency experience. Students enrolled in Marketing 401 and 402 become part of a dedicated team that develops a full-scale advertising campaign for a national brand as part of the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC). The AAF hosts a national student competition where students develop and pitch a marketing plan for clients like Tide, Coca-Cola, Yahoo, Bank of America, Ocean Spray, and Indeed.
Course Overview: MKTG 401 & 402
This two-course sequence allows students to:
- Work in a simulated ad agency team
- Develop a marketing strategy, creative assets, and media plan for a nationally known product the AAF has chosen
- Conduct primary and secondary research
- Pitch a complete campaign to real advertising executives at a regional competition
One school will then advance to the national finals. Boise State teams have placed in the top three at the regional competition several times, including a first-place finish.
The courses are led by Rheanna Allen. These classes are open to marketing majors ready to apply what they’ve learned in a high-stakes, collaborative setting.
Make Headlines in Marketing
In order to compete in the advertising competition, you will need to contact the instructor or reach out to the Department of Marketing. Up to 12 people can enroll for Marketing 402.
Our teams have taken several top honors at the district competitions over the last several years. They placed first in 2003 and second in 2009, 2004, and 2002. In 2010 they won the People’s Choice award for Best Presentation and took third place overall. In 2023 our team won 1st place in Presentation, Best Female Presenter, Best Social Extensions / Activations, and 3rd place overall.
In spring 2024, our Boise State NSAC team (MKTG402) resulted in 1st place for Presentation, Best Social Media Activation, Most Memorable Moment, and 3rd place overall! Boise State has now placed in the top 3 for the past two years.
The National Student Advertising Competition Experience
Regional NSAC competitions take place each spring in 15 districts throughout the United States. The winning team in each district and one wild card team advance to compete on the national level at the American Advertising Federation National Conference in June. Marketing 401 and 402 classes prepare you for the NSAC competition. In this video, students talk about what they liked and learned in the marketing 401 and 402. This video is available with closed captions and a video transcript.
Want In?
Enrollment is open to junior or senior marketing students interested in branding, strategy, design, copywriting, research, and campaign management.
Key Contact
Contact Professor Rhea Allen for more information
