Second Story Media 24-hour Create-A-Thon
by Ella June Burge-Walz
Dean Sue Polanka and Lynn Patterson partnered with Second Story Media for their annual 24-hour Create-A-Thon event, bringing together creative student talent and institutional vision to produce professional marketing materials.
Create-A-Thon is a national 24-hour marketing marathon that provides pro-bono communication services to nonprofits within a single day.
Second Story Media is a student-run advertising agency at Appalachian State University with a mission to help clients fulfill their communication objectives while providing meaningful experiences for carefully selected student members. The team represents a broad spectrum of disciplines, backgrounds, and skill sets, united by a shared commitment to telling the unique stories of deserving businesses and nonprofit clients throughout the High Country and surrounding areas.
The event featured five teams of students from various majors and experience levels, each working alongside local clients to address their marketing needs. The Libraries team included DeeAnne Montero, Ayana Davis-Slade, Ella Burge-Walz, Curran Linehan, Riley Lesser, and Emma White. They developed new slogans, logos, graphic variations, newsletters, social media templates, mockups, and more.
The resulting work showcases refreshed, modernized elements that reflect the innovative vision and forward-thinking goals of the Libraries. The new materials are designed not only to elevate the Libraries' visual identity but also to strengthen engagement with students, faculty, and the broader Appalachian State University community.
The partnership proved to be more than a one-time collaboration. Four of these talented students are now employed at the Libraries as Graphic Artists, where they continue to apply their skills and creativity in support of the University Libraries' ongoing mission. Their work stands as a testament to the power of experiential learning and the lasting connections between students and the University Libraries.
“We were excited to offer student employment opportunities to the students we met during the Create-A-Thon. We value the opportunity to collaborate with students and showcase their talents through our graphic outreach materials. Library Patrons and donors can expect to see more of their creativity incorporated into future library designs and projects,” said Dean Sue Polanka.
collection of photos of the second story media presentations
