27 March 2013

South Staffs Water helped school children from across the Walsall area learn business skills in a challenge day held this week.

Organised by the Walsall Education Business Partnership and the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, staff from SSW's communications department were on hand to assist the groups of year 8 pupils who had gathered at the Forest Arts Centre in Leamore for a marketing challenge.

The day's tasks revolved around organising a marketing campaign to promote a production on at the theatre this year. The campaign had to take into account the target audience, different marketing strands and budget, as well as designing posters or leaflets and scripting TV or radio advertisements, then presenting their campaign to judges from the theatre.

The eventual winners were a team from St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College in Aldridge for their campaign to market the musical "Ghost." They each won a pair of tickets for the 2013/14 panto "Sleeping Beauty."

"Many of the pupils came up with some really innovative and creative ideas for their campaigns which would give marketers some food for thought when it comes to targeting campaigns at a younger audience," said Karen Baxter, Communications Officer for SSW, who was at the event.

Marion Wood, Walsall EBP Team Leader added: "These types of events couldn't go ahead without the support of local business partners; we're grateful for the help given by SSW and the Grand Theatre and would encourage more people to join in the opportunity of giving children the chance to learn skills outside of the classroom."