This agency launched a student-run PR incubator

University of Delaware students Alex Karlesses and Kelly Mui did more than go on coffee runs, during their time as interns at the Newark-based marketing and public relations agency Tipton Communications.
The pair gained real-life agency experience when they led the agency’s first student-run PR incubator.
President and CEO Dan Tipton said the purpose of the program was to provide students with first-hand experiences, while supporting some of the state’s nonprofit organizations.
“We wanted to do something to give back to our profession and increase our contributions in the community where we all live and work,” Tipton said in a statement. “We are proud to offer this opportunity and have high hopes that these students will make a difference for Delaware.”
Karlesses and Mui were tasked with creating a social media plan for Junior Achievement of Delaware, an organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise.
“We helped them plan and develop a comprehensive social media strategy to promote a sweepstakes contest through Facebook,” the students said in a blog post on the agency’s website. “It was our first official task in launching Tipton’s first-ever student-run firm. We were incredibly excited to have the resources and support we needed to get started.”
The firm plans to use the success and growth of the pilot program as a springboard. In the future, they would like the student-run division to take on more projects each year.
While the students handled the creative facets of the campaign, the Tipton Communications team was on hand for financial, administrative and technical support.
“One of my favorite aspects of working at Tipton was the supportive atmosphere — everyone was willing to give advice. Tipton would also meet with us and act as a sounding board, offering helpful critiques,” said Karlesses, a senior English and French major with a minor in journalism. “We met with [account executive] Natalie Hines almost daily, and she was instrumental in our success. She offered constructive criticism, but at the same time let us be creative and showcase our different skills.”
Mui, a rising senior studying media communications and advertising, credits the incubator for giving her skills she will be able to use when it is time for her to enter the workforce.
“Overall, I’ve learned how to communicate and write effectively,” she said. “It’s vital to have those skills in the communications realm.”