Marketing Smarts: Advertising Campaigns
Advertising Campaigns aims to support small businesses in Downtown San José by pairing them with SJSU senior advertising students to create customized, impactful advertising campaigns. In partnership with Professor
Michael Llewellyn-Williams’ ADV 129 capstone course – Advertising Campaign Planning and Management – 30 SJSU students collaborated with four local businesses during the 2024–25 academic year: Campus Burgers, Sueños, K&J Sweets and Bakery, and Artesanías Mexicanas Morelia.
Through this collaboration, students worked in real-world team environments to design customized advertising campaigns, applying classroom theories to practical projects while building their professional creative portfolios.
Clients provided briefs outlining their marketing needs, and students developed comprehensive campaign books with strategies, visuals, and prototypes ranging from business cards to social media plans.
This program not only equipped students with valuable professional experience but also delivered high-quality marketing materials that support and promote local small businesses. Many clients continue to use these materials as part of their ongoing marketing strategies. At semester’s end, campaigns were presented to a panel of judges, with awards recognizing excellence in creativity and execution.
Advertising Campaigns demonstrate the power of university–community partnerships, creating tangible benefits for students, local businesses, and the Downtown San José community.
Project Impacts
100% of clients reported they gained knowledge about advertising as a result of collaborating with SJSU Advertising students
100% of SJSU students feel that what they learned in the ADV 129 class helped them understand how their major can serve a societal need
88% of businesses felt confident trying out Adobe products through Advertising Campaigns & Marketing Smarts
Participants*
Community Engaged Learners*
Cumulative Hours
Investment Value*
Sponsors
