Looking Forward to CreateAthon 2019
With CreateAthon tomorrow, we wanted to take a look back at CreateAthon 2018. We asked last year's participants to look back on their experience and write a reflection along with some advice for this year's participants.
Delaney Mackenzie
In the days leading up to CreateAthon, I was nervous and did not know what to expect. I was placed on a team to create a campaign for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and instantly clicked with my team. As we learned what our client wanted from us, we immediately started throwing out ideas of what came to mind. We were focused on their North Star Initiative and what it meant to all of us. From there, we brainstormed tactics and strategies and that was when I was able to apply what I had learned in CAP 220: Fundamentals of PR.
It was nerve wrecking to prepare a campaign for a client to use in their business, but that also became my biggest motivation to provide the best work that I could. At the end of the 24 hours, and after presenting our ideas to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, I was overwhelming with rewarding feelings and a sense of accomplishment. Participating in CreateAthon was one of the best decisions I ever made.
She also wrote about her thoughts directly following CreateAthon 2018:
What a crazy past 24 hours it has been! Grand Valley’s GrandPR firm was 1 out of 4 student-run public relations firms in the nation to host a CreateAthon marathon. We had 24 hours to create a public relations campaign for a local non-profit. It was long and stressful, but overall, one of the most rewarding nights of my life. I’m so thankful I was on a team that worked SO well together and was able to create so many tactics for our wonderful client, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Presenting our campaign to them after 24 hours of hard work and seeing their priceless reaction was the best feeling in the world. I’m so thankful I had this opportunity because of GrandPR and to work with Trevor Bryan, Laura Schippers, Hunter Burin, and Courtney Fogle on this amazing campaign!
Emily Gagnon
2018 participant and 2019-2020 GrandPR CEO, Emily Gagnon got creative and wrote a poem.
Rest your eyes and drink your water;
Get energized for an experience like no other.
It’s been a year and CreateAthon is here!
Meet your team, meet your client,
Brainstorm ideas larger than gas giants.
Your team is making exceptional strides,
but it’s the 15th hour and you’re running out of power.
Refuel with snacks and do some jumping jacks.
You’re doing so good, keep typing, keep moving.
By the time the Earth has done a full circle,
you are ready for your rehearsal.
Splash your face, and refresh your brain,
the clients are coming to see your campaign!
In preparation for this year's CreateAthon, I encourage each individual to pack their comfiest clothes, blanket and favorite tea. Creativity flows best when you're cozy! I would also recommend that participants complete most of their weekend homework prior to the event. Clear your Sunday plans because all you will want to do is nap, recover, and reflect on the amazing campaign you just created.
Participating in CreateAthon last year was a blast! We had brainstorming sessions, dance sessions, snack sessions and down-to-business working sessions. It was astonishing to see how transformative being stuck in an agency for 24 hours can be. I connected with peers and professionals and we learned new techniques and thought processes from throughout the event.
Courtney Fogle
When I reflect on my CreateAthon experience last year, one word comes to mind: rewarding. I remember feeling pure excitement when my team started spit-balling ideas and how amazed we were at all the creative strategies we came up with. There’s something special about working on a campaign for a legitimate organization, and I learned more in those 24 hours about public relations than I had in my entire college career. Plus, my team was able to build a lasting relationship with our client.
My recommendation for this year’s participants is to make the most out of your experience. Put your heart into it, have fun with it, and the rest will pay off.
We can not wait to see all we accomplish during this year's CreateAthon. With that being said, let's get to work!