It’s a win-win-win exercise for Langley’s businesses, youths, and community newspaper.
Once again, local business leaders partnered with the Langley Advance to reach out to elementary schools to provide students with a taste of what makes newspapers and advertising work.
Youngsters from 11 classes in seven elementary schools across Langley were given the task of designing advertising spots for participating advertisers.
The result – sometimes pure fun and sometimes outrageously clever – was a special educational experience all around… and the fourth annual Design an Ad special section that you now hold in your hands.
The students came up with their own advertising designs and ideas, and then turned them into ads to be printed in the Advance.
Business owners and groups participating in this year’s Design an Ad promotion got to choose the ads that they felt best represented their business and/or wares to the community.
Often the decisions between competing students’ work was difficult, and in at least one case, an advertiser asked for extra space in the section, so he could showcase more of the youthful talent that went into his advertising project.
The students gained firsthand understanding of the advertising industry, while the business people gained the satisfaction of sharing an important educational experience with the youngsters.
And all indications are that everyone involved had a great deal of fun… as clearly evidenced by the thoroughly enjoyable results.
Flip through the pages of this special Design an Ad section, and you’ll find that the students put together insightful, creative, thoughtful, and often humorous advertisements highlighting the strengths of their subjects, and carrying compelling messages to promote customer participation through purchase of products and services.
You’ll also find photos of man y of the students who put their hands to producing the ads.
Participating students were from R.C. Garnett Demonstration, Richard Bulpitt, West Langley, Langley Fundamental, Parkside Centennial, Alex Hope, Gordon Greenwood, and Belmont Elementary Schools.
The young graphic designers were also invited to offer their conceptions of what the Langley Advance front page should look like. To see some of the results of that exercise, click HERE, or clicked on the "Related Media" link below.