Over the past year, Student Media’s advertising team has undergone a remarkable transformation, restructuring, growing and reimagining its role within the broader Student Media ecosystem. With a full team of seven student staff members, including a dedicated sales manager and the support of the Student Media Director acting as sales advisor, the advertising unit is evolving into a fully-fledged media outlet of its own. And with this exciting shift comes a brand-new name: Flash Media.
Flash Media will serve as the advertising and marketing arm of Student Media, offering strategic, creative and media placement services that support all of our student-run outlets. This past semester, the team completed a branding discovery process and work session, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and professional approach to advertising. With the help of Kristin Dowling from IdeaBase, students were able to analyze their current process, clarify roles and begin developing a new rate card that will launch in the fall.
The momentum doesn’t stop there. Over the summer, a designer, the sales manager and the Student Media Director will collaborate on Flash Media’s new visual identity and branding, positioning the team to sell across print, digital and broadcast platforms starting next semester.
Student Media Advertising closed out the academic year with $45,000 in sales, and with new campus partnerships and expanded ad space on the horizon, Flash Media is setting its sights on a 15% increase for the year ahead.
This rebrand marks a significant step forward, not only for advertising, but for Student Media’s ability to tell stories, promote student work and build lasting connections between Kent State and the broader Kent community.