Marist College Students' Creative Strategies Promote World Community Grid

In the Spring 2006, IBM and Marist College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, embarked on its second year of a special project. Twenty students from Professor Mark Van Dyke's communication capping course were given the task to promote World Community Grid. The students divided into four teams to formulate quantitative and qualitative goals and objectives designed to increase awareness of World Community Grid, and in turn, increase the number of members and devices registered on the Marist College team.

The teams identified their audiences – students, staff, alumni and parents – and in order to reach these audiences, employed several tactics. The students developed flyers/posters, conducted mailings, wrote articles for Marist's Alumni Newsletter and ran ads on Facebook, just to name a few. One of the highlights of the teams' efforts was posting some of these ads and videos on the YouTube web site to provide an additional public relations campaign and reach a broader audience. The ads and videos created by the Marist students use a great mix of humor, music and facts to encourage individuals to join this important humanitarian initiative. To view more – and share with family, friends, colleagues and others to encourage them to particpate in World Community Grid, please click here.