Interested in Joining Bobcat Promotions?
What are the benefits of joining Bobcat Promotions?
Bobcat Promotions gives students the opportunity to learn and/or hone their public relations, advertising, electronic media and digital skills. Staffers produce work that will become part of their portfolios. They also learn how to work in teams, with managers, and clients. They learn about entrepreneurship, pitching to client prospects, branding, and so much more.
How do you join Bobcat Promotions?
You may contact us below or contact our faculty adviser, Charles “Chuck” Kaufman, directly at
“ck17@txstate.edu”. Any Texas State student interested in public relations is welcome to join regardless of their major or how many credit hours they have earned.
As a media group, can students receive course credit?
Absolutely. Students will have to complete the Media Practicum (MC2111) course document and get it signed by Mr. Kaufman. You will take the completed and signed paperwork to an academic adviser to be cleared to register online. Typically, but not always, students who work for Bobcat Promotions as Media Practicum often work on client services without pay.
How would you document the hours worked to receive credit for Bobcat Promotions?
Students log all the work they have done by completing a weekly time sheet that will be submitted the end of the semester. The time sheets are used to determine credit or payment similar to billable time sheets used in a PR agency.
How do you get clients?
Bobcat Promotions student account executives (AEs) are responsible for recruiting new clients and retaining current ones. Students research that client and create a well-thought out pitch to win business.
Is Bobcat Promotions open for business every semester?
Yes, most of the client contracts run from the beginning of the fall semester through the spring. For clients who require service during the summer months, we diligently work to serve them. We pride ourselves in building teams that offer enough depth to cover clients year-round.
Who oversees the student work done by Bobcat Promotions?
Bobcat Promotion’s Faculty Adviser is Charles “Chuck” Kaufman, Senior Lecturer at Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The buck stops there.
If I haven’t taken many skills classes, may I still get involved?
Yes. In fact, many of our AEs and executive team started without much course work or experience. Our seniors and Mr. Kaufman work closely with students who are eager to learn. This mentoring serves students not only in their work with Bobcat Promotions, but as they begin to take skills courses. The best way to learn and advance in the organization is to start early.
Is social media used the most for helping clients reach their target audiences?
As our business is market-driven, we are finding that most clients seek a presence on social platforms. Many of them are targeting Texas State students, so one of the best and most cost-effective ways of reaching them is through Facebook, Twitter and possibly other social platforms such as Instagram. In evaluating a client’s needs, we may determine that other platforms may be more useful to them.
Do you have to work for a specific client or can you just work for Bobcat Promotions?
No, you do not have to work for one specific client. You can work internally for Bobcat Promotions. We also work to promote ourselves. However, we believe getting experience, especially as an account executive, can be priceless experience to receive while in college.
How can I become an account executive or a member of the executive team?
The short answer is through performance. If new members possess the necessary skills and qualifications, they can earn advancement to the account executive level. The executives and Mr. Kaufman want to see veteran staffers get a chance to manage and lead, so work hard, excel and perform successfully. This is typically the same formula practitioners will find in the “real world.” A fast way to become an account executive is to bring in a new client. The business developer has the option to manage the account or pass it along to other team members.
How do you determine how much a person gets paid?
Pay is based on the scope of the work, which often dictates the size of the contract, and how many people will be working on the account. It is all evaluated by the executive team in consultation with the BPR adviser.
How do you determine how much to bill a client?
The executive team puts together a plan that outlines the scope of the work and determines how many people and how much time it will take to perform the work. Building a website takes longer than writing a news release. Preparation and research take time. Meetings with clients take time. Every client is different. Our rates have ranged from $150 to $750 or more a month for full campaigns with video production.
Is Bobcat Promotions work limited only for Mass Communication students?
No, Bobcat Promotions is open to all majors from any college on campus. The program includes Mass Communication majors, of course, but we’ve had students work for us who majored in English, Finance, Graphic Design and Marketing. As long as students are interested in learning about strategic communications, finding clients and promoting clients, they are welcome to join a meeting and learn more about our job opportunities.
If you are unable to attend the meetings, can you still be involved in Bobcat Promotions?
Well, yes. Attending meetings is not mandatory, as much work is produced outside the meetings, but your attendance is the best way to build camaraderie with the Bobcat Promotions team and stay absolutely up to date on current client needs.
When does Bobcat Promotions meet?
The team meets every Monday at 5 p.m. in OM102C. Staff members receive email reminders.
What are the goals for the organization’s future?
We hope to grow our staff by growing our business. It is also always a goal for clients to be satisfied with our work and for us to be satisfied with the work we’re doing for clients. Forging long-lasting relationships with clients is a top priority. We also want our students to grow personally and professionally.
Contact
Please contact us here if you are interested in joining our teams!