For the last nine years, FAMU’s School of Journalism &
Graphic Communication (SJGC) and School of Business and Industry (SBI) have
joined forces with Personal Selling Principles (PSP), the National Association
of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) and the National Association of
Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) to host the institute, which successfully
completed its 2014 session on May 22.
“The Media Sales Institute offers a specialized and
valued-added education to its candidates,” said SJGC Dean Ann L. Wead
Kimbrough. “The candidates are afforded excellent and unique opportunities to
learn, grow and become the top recruits for the media industry.”
The MSI program provides an intensive 10-day sales training program for graduating college seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in media sales. The institute focuses on the fundamentals of media sales in radio, television, cable, print, digital/mobile platforms and emerging technologies.
In order to successfully complete the MSI, each participant
must individually present a “real world” sales scenario to leading media
companies to qualify and compete for entry-level sales positions. The NABEF and
NABOB’s Education Foundation provided funding for this year’s initiative.
MBA candidate and Miami native Kimberly Rowe is a testament
to the success of the program. Rowe attended this year’s MSI with a goal of
being more equipped to enter the sales and marketing industry. Her expectations
were exceeded.
“It was a unique experience,” said Rowe. “I gained knowledge
that could take anywhere from six to seven months to acquire in only 10 days. I
left the sales institute with multiple job offers.”
According to SBI Dean Shawnta Friday-Stroud, the MSI was
designed for students just like Rowe.
“The program seeks to fill the void by attracting minorities
and women to an industry seeking more diversity,” she said.
The MSI program was initially developed in 1999 by PSP and
launched at Howard University in 2000. The creation of the institute was the
joint vision of Professor Ernie Fears, Sr. at Howard University and PSP
Principal Jeffrey P. Myers.
Since its inception, the MSI at FAMU has received high
marks. Both the participants and industry recruiters have respectively ranked
the quality of the institute as above average, with a near 100 percent score.
According to Myers, the institute has established itself as
a highly competitive training ground for producing professionals ready to meet
the demands of the media sales industry.
“Together, with NABEF, NABOB and FAMU, we are proud to
continuously address the needs of media sales departments by properly preparing
future sellers to the ever-changing world of media sales,” Myers said. “I am
very proud to have developed a program responsible for hundreds of future
leaders for the media industry. The impact of the MSI is extremely rewarding
for all involved, both professionally and personally.”