Marketing pro April Williams lectures at URINovember 19, 2007
As a result of that feature article in the Providence Business News, Williams, president of North Star Marketing in North Kingstown, was a guest lecturer in Professor Bell’s “Public Relations Strategies” course.
The Nov. 19 lecture strengthened the ongoing working relationship between North Star and the URI Communications Studies Department and its students. The firm offers PR internships to URI students each term, and Williams is proud to take an active roll in their education.
“Every one of our URI interns has been tremendous,” Williams said. “They bring us valuable skills that they have developed at the university and apply them in a real business environment.”
North Star’s recent PR interns include Jessica Rusack, ‘07, Caity Fair, ‘07, Allison Pirolli, ‘07 and Nicole Aragi, December ’07. Working under the title of “Star Support,” each as undertaken a variety of duties, from media research to performing at public events as Willy T. the Willow Tree Farm mascot.
In Professor Bell’s class, Williams discussed her background and the creation of North Star, which began in 1997 as a home-based consultancy and grew to be one of the region’s leading marketing and public relations firms.
Williams also gave real world examples of integrated marketing, which includes email marketing, direct mail, blogs, websites, podcasting, and media relations.
Professor Bell asked Williams particularly to highlight the firm’s trademarked World’s Smallest Newsletter™. This feature, a direct mail piece, is a postcard-sized newsletter that keeps the firm in touch with clients and its customer base. North Star also produces the newsletter for clients, who find it to be a unique and effective way of communicating with customers.
Williams also stressed the importance of building strong relationships with the media. The profile in the Providence Business News was the result of a cultivated relationship, she told the students. The interview solidified the relationship with the reporter, who soon turned to Williams as a source for another story. Williams says that North Star is also building a growing relationship with the URI Communications Studies Department.
“It was a joy and an honor to be a guest lecturer for the PR program and I look forward to doing it again,” she said. “With our internships and classroom involvement, the relationship will continue to benefit the firm and the university, and most of all the students.”
About North Star Marketing: North Star Marketing is a client-focused marketing and public relations firm located in North Kingstown, R.I. Using a team approach, North Star provides cost effective and creative marketing strategies for businesses. Whether it’s designing a corporate identity, developing a public relations plan or executing a flawless event, North Star’s creative powerhouse delivers measurable results. For more information visit www.fortheloveofmarketing.com. << Back to News |
KINGSTON – When Professor Regina Bell read the newspaper profile on businesswoman April Williams, she recognized a professional who could share knowledge and experience with University of Rhode Island’s public relations students. 