Education

"Comedic digital savant" Ze Frank will be closing speaker for 2006 National Marketing Institute

Plus, student grants available; early-bird registration ends October 30

The 2006 National Marketing Institute takes place November 29-December 1 in San Antonio, Texas. Visit the Institute web page for all the NMI details, to view the latest schedule of events, or to book a room at the Menger Hotel.

NIRSA is excited to announce Ze Frank (pronounced “Zay”) as the closing speaker for the 2006 National Marketing Institute.

You won’t want to miss Ze’s entertaining yet insightful look at how technology and creativity intersect, especially in web design, marketing and new forms of media.

Ze has unique experience doing new media design and marketing for important customers, helping them understand viral marketing and the contagious media in which it takes place, and to think about creative development in general.

Ze has had unparalleled success creating online community spaces and innovative content that get the audience to “act” and then “interact.” He’s experienced “viral marketing” in a direct and personal way. Over 50 million people have visited his own website, zefrank.com. It’s won a Webby, was in Time magazine’s Top 50 Websites of 2005, and has been mentioned a lot in the media.

He spent two months in 2004 as Artist in Residence at MSN, helping them develop strategies for creating online community spaces—his specialty. Other clients include Leap Productions, National Geographic, Absolut vodka, Lotto and Bennington College. He teaches a graduate course on The Creative Act at New York University. Using a mixture of personal stories, real world examples and speculation in a fast-paced and humorous way, Ze looks at ways of thinking about creative development that allow for the unpredictable future.

The theme for this year’s NMI is “stickiness,” a term used to define the aspect of a promotion that spawns a meaningful connection with its target audience. The 2006 National Marketing Institute will be the perfect opportunity for professionals and students alike to learn and share how to make “sticky” marketing for their complex recreational programs and facilities. Register now, because discounted early-bird rates end October 30.

To register, and to check for all the latest details, including the Star Trac Student Grants, click here.