West Louisville Students Brew Up Innovative Marketing Strategies for Local Coffee Shop
West Louisville High School students put their marketing skills to the test on February 21, 2025, at AMPED's Russell Technology Business Incubator (RTBI), presenting dynamic campaigns for Blak Koffee, a community-focused coffee shop born from AMPED's very own incubator program. The challenge, a three-week deep dive into marketing strategy, tasked students from Central and Shawnee High Schools with attracting a younger clientele while honoring Blak Koffee's core values: community, sustainability, and a celebration of local artistry.
The student teams dove headfirst into market research, campaign development, and creative design, culminating in high-energy 3-5 minute presentations before a panel of marketing experts. The judges, including Tiandra Robinson of T. Marie Consulting, Dr. Aaron J. Barnes from the University of Louisville, Deja Downey from The Vision Group Marketing, Kevin Gibson of Rise Marketing Inc., and Bryan Liggons of Blue Beak Branding, offered invaluable feedback and real-world insights to the aspiring marketers.
Ronyale Smith, owner of Blak Koffee, was impressed by the students' dedication and innovative ideas. "They have a voice, and they've done their research," Smith remarked. She's already planning to implement student suggestions like mobile ordering and extended after-school hours, showing the real-world impact of the challenge.
Marketing Ideas Percolage from Student Teams
The event showcased a range of creative concepts, from Shawnee's "Snap, Share, Sip" campaign (encouraging customers to "Post to Pay" by sharing photos of their purchases) to the winning "Kulture in Every Kup" theme, which captured the essence of Blak Koffee's community focus. Mercedes from Shawnee took home the Best Single Presenter award with her confident pitch for "Vibe with Every Brew," emphasizing the importance of customer loyalty.
Mr. Joshua Toomer led his team to victory. Central High School's team distinguished itself by grounding their strategy in solid data, conducting thorough market research to support their recommendations. This data-driven approach earned them the Average Score Overall Winner title, proving that numbers can be just as creative as ideas.
Real-World Impact
Dr. Reginald McDaniel from Shawnee High School emphasized the program's real-world relevance. "Our students can be those next great marketers, great entrepreneurs," he said, highlighting the success of a similar project where Shawnee students helped the Belle of Louisville strategize their social media plan.
The West Louisville High School Marketing Challenge exemplifies the Academies of Louisville's commitment to experiential learning and community partnerships. By providing students with opportunities to tackle real-world challenges for local businesses, these initiatives empower them to develop practical skills and make a tangible difference in their community.
