Online Marketing Institute Partnership

PRESS RELEASE: APRIL 30, 2010

The Interactive Marketing Program at Northern Illinois University is proud to announce a partnership arrangement with the Online Marketing Institute. The Institute is part of Online Marketing Connect, which operates the educational programs at the Online Marketing Summit and also provides certification in Online Marketing through the Online Marketing institute.

NIU’s Interactive Marketing Area of Study graduates about thirty undergraduate students every year versed in the areas of Social Media, Search, Email, Web Analytics, Design and Usability, Database Marketing and Integrated and Direct Marketing Principles. The program has been in existence since 2003, when Debra Zahay Blatz was recruited to develop and teach the coursework.

NIU students in the Interactive Marketing Program will now be able to take the advanced courses in the Institute’s certification program for a reduce fee to obtain a specialization in Search Marketing, Demand Generation or any of the topics provided by the Institute. Local executives seeking online marketing knowledge will also get discounted access to Online Marketing Summit programs and the Online Marketing Institute’s certification program.

Debra Zahay Blatz, Associate Professor of Interactive Marketing and head of the Interactive Marketing program at NIU is delighted with the association. “I evaluated a lot of programs out there and the Online Marketing Institute and Online Marketing Summit provides their attendees the opportunity to learn without the distractions of vendor sales pitches. It is a true learning environment, which is consistent with our mission here at NIU. The topics covered are nearly identical to our curriculum. I get a lot of inquiries from working professionals for our type of education but an undergraduate daytime program does not meet their needs. Now, however, we will be able to help our students gain an online specialty which will increase their chances of gaining employment after graduation and also provide executives access to material similar to that covered in our courses but in a real-time, online environment best-suited to their schedules.”

Aaron Kahlow, CEO, Online Marketing Institute, Online Marketing Summit and Online Marketing Connect, Inc. echoes Debra Zahay Blatz’s sentiments. “We value our University Partnership arrangements and were pleased to develop an association with NIU’s program. What NIU is doing at the undergraduate level is ahead of the curve in terms of giving marketing students knowledge of current online marketing practices. Now we can provide students with access to even more material from leading practitioners through the online certification modules. NIU’s network of contacts will also help us get our material out to a broader audience that is looking to receive this kind of education online.”

Take advantage of the partnership. Find out how to measure social media and buzz and much more at #OMSCHI on June 30 http://bit.ly/NIUOMS. Use code NIU20 for twenty percent off!

NIU IM Grad uses PPC, social media skills on the job

Eric Castellucci, who graduated in Spring 09', writes, "I have been doing Online Marketing for a company called Wrigleyville Sports; we sell merchandise for all the Chicago Sports teams. The job dabbles in everything from PPC, to Blogging, to Social Media. Pretty much, any online channel that has the potential to bring in sales. Much of what I learned in the IM Program at NIU helped me get this job, especially PPC.

Wrigleyville Sports was previously outsourcing their PPC to a third party in California, but they were not pleased with the results they were receiving. When they discovered I had experience with PPC through school, they hired me on full time. It has been a good match for both of us.

From what I've seen in the IM industry, the knowledge IM Graudates possess is GOLD to companies. I believe that at this moment, the demand for individuals with an IM background is much greater than the supply of knowledgeable graduates. Plenty of companies are learning the immense value from Social Media, and they are more willing to hire someone straight out of college who uses these Social Media tools on a daily basis."

NIU IM Grad contributes as search intern at iProspect

It is always great to hear from former students. James Kelley graduated in May (2010) and worked hard to get a position as a Search Marketing Intern with iProspect. James writes, "I had little time to get aclimated as on my first day the company landed a big client and had to launch the campaign ASAP. The atmosphere is pretty laid back...I STILL GET TO WEAR JEANS! WOOT! I haven't been on the job for too long but have already been involved in some big projects.

I have written ad copy for the PPC Ads on Google, and am excited to think about how mwny people will see them. I have also been given a spreadsheet of over 7,000 keywords and links to check to see if the link to the landing page is relevant to the keyword. That task took a while and was repetitive but quite important. How chaotic would a search be if the landing pages had nothing to do with the ad/keywords in the search?!!

I have also been through the Adwords Editor and recorded the ad groups/campaigns and their ad variance. Overall I am very happy with my decision to pursue SEM and very happy with iProspect, keep your fingers crossed for me that this turns into a full time hire! Good Luck at NIU! Thanks again. James"

Web site for search engine marketing jobs

Heather Priest, a May 2010 IM grad, found the website below the other day. The website tracks and posts job openings in SEO accross the country. There are a couple jobs here in Illinois that some recent grads might find of interest. A person must be a member of the site in order to receive e-mail updates (kind of expensive), but not to see the jobs and get the information on the them. Enjoy and Good luck to those on the job search! Website for Search Engine Marketing Jobs http://www.sempo.org/jobs/