POV: it’s October 31st at the Drake Centre and you’ve just been let out of your last class of the day. You take the stairs up to the second floor and brace yourself for a brisk fall walk to the parking lot. There’s a chill in the air and a distinct sense of spookiness not abnormal to Halloween night. As you round the dimly lit corner, your phone lights up the night sky and your stomach drops. The scariest sight you’ll see this Halloween: Midterm Grade Updated in UMLearn.
It’s spooky season in Asper! The school year is in full-swing and academic calendars are kicking into high gear. That being said, there’s hope on the horizon: reading week is on deck, Commerce Shocker, Business Banquet, and 5 Days recruitment are all upcoming, and midterms are slowly but surely passing us by.
This month, as we prep for some upcoming fun, we’re sharing a fresh local perspective on marketing, along with your next chance to get involved in Asper. Welcome to the October Scoop!
UpHouse Inc. – An Authentic Approach to Marketing
Since his days of selling hamsters in junior high, Alex Varricchio knew he wanted to start his own business. Leaving school with a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, the world of brand marketing and content creation was a perfect fit. After recognizing an opportunity to combine his love of marketing and entrepreneurship, Alex and Co-Owner Kiirsten May set out to develop a new, alternative approach to marketing. In 2017, the duo founded UpHouse Inc. right here in Winnipeg, a marketing and PR agency centered around the pillars of authenticity, accessibility, and diversity.
UpHouse diverts from traditional marketing agencies in their focus on supporting rather than replacing, aiming to bolster organization’s pre-existing in-house marketing teams. Working with countless businesses and nonprofits in Manitoba and beyond, the UpHouse team brings a fresh, collaborative perspective to brand marketing when collaborating on new and existing projects. Emphasizing the story behind the product, UpHouse aims to highlight who a business is, rather than simply what they sell.
UpHouse also operates as a certified B Corp, holding themselves accountable to the high standard of integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability that they bring into every project. Understanding that people are forced to consume content, media, and marketing whether they want to or not, the UpHouse team ensures that the content they push out is as authentic and accessible as possible.
With marketing being an ever-changing industry, Alex and UpHouse have recognized and adapted to new developments and trends over the years. A recent movement the agency noticed is how social media has accelerated a trend toward brand partnerships: brands are utilizing influencers and creative talent more than ever before, aligning themselves with consumers and creators who carry similar values. Instead of hearing exclusively from the business itself, companies are finding it more advantageous to create a community of brand advocates online, reaching a wider and more diverse audience in the process. This trend aligns with UpHouse’s existing focus on creating partnerships and relationships, both agency+brand and brand+consumer.
As the school year kicks into high gear, Alex encourages students to reach out to local organizations for a chance to gain real-world experience and skills. Whether it’s a shadow position, mock interview, or even an internship, he emphasizes that local agencies like UpHouse are excited to connect with Asper students and future marketers.
With UpHouse continuing to grow, it’s clear that the values of authenticity, accessibility, and diversity that the agency was founded upon are still as present as ever.
5 Days for the Homeless – Advocacy and Awareness
With snow on the ground and the temperature below zero, that could only mean one thing: this year’s 5 Days for the Homeless campaign is right around the corner! One of the CSA’s internal charity initiatives, 5 Days has been a staple of the winter semester for nearly two decades. Hosting several events and educational initiatives in support of Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY), the campaign aims to raise both awareness and donations for youth experiencing homelessness. Led by Co-Chairs Grace Cook and Quirin Stetefeld, the 5 Days team is ready to usher in a new era this year.
In lead up to this year’s campaign, one aspect that both co-chairs are putting a particular emphasis on is education and awareness across campus. Through conversation and open discussion, the 5 Days team hope to share knowledge about the realities of youth experiencing homelessness, along with contributing factors. By engaging with students beyond the surface level, Grace and Quirin hope to prompt action, moving from awareness to advocacy.
In terms of personal reasons for involvement, both Grace and Quirin were motivated to work towards a big change on campus. In particular, Grace noted that with so many involvement opportunities centering around academics, it’s exciting to be able to empower students to make a change beyond school. Quirin, a 5 Days committee alum, experienced fundraising in a team-setting this past year and is excited to continue spreading the 5 Days message. From growing awareness both internally and externally, to leading a passionate team, the pair have their sights set on making this year’s campaign as inclusive and educational as possible.
With the duo set to recruit new committee members this November, they want to emphasize that candidates don’t need experience to apply. Open to students of any faculty, 5 Days is a low-barrier opportunity that values passion and enthusiasm rather than previous involvement. With members coming together to work towards a shared goal, the 5 Days committee offers an opportunity to develop skills and bond with a team, all while making a difference in the community.
As Grace and Quirin continue to draw up plans for the campaign, it’s clear that education, advocacy, and awareness will be a priority throughout 5 Days this year. Working to eliminate prejudices and stereotypes regarding homelessness, the 5 Days team is set to make a substantial impact on the U of M in the new year.
For information on how to apply to the 5 Days Committee, keep an eye on @5DaysUM and @AsperCSA on Instagram! More information will be made available in early November.
Extra Credit – Save These Dates!
UMMA Annual Wine and Cheese – November 9th, 2023
The UMMA Wine and Cheese is back for 2023! A night filled with networking and connection, you’ll have the chance to meet company representatives and fellow students, all while enjoying some delicious food and drinks. Check out @umma.asper on Instagram for more information!
Fall 2023 Commerce Graduation Dinner – November 24th, 2023
Join fellow graduates, friends, family, and faculty at this year’s Commerce Graduation Dinner, hosted at the Radisson Hotel! A perfect opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments as a student, the evening with feature messages from faculty, a valedictorian address, and everyone’s favourite: a three-course banquet-style meal. Head over to @AsperCSA on Instagram for more information, or check your student email if you’re graduating!
CSA 24 Hour Case Competition – November 25th, 2023
Want to hone your case competition skills? The CSA’s 24 Hour Case Competition is an excellent way to dive into the world of case, providing an engaging way to grow your teamwork, public speaking, and problem-solving skills. Keep your eye on @AsperCSA on Instagram for further details!
That wraps up this month’s Scoop! Huge thank you to Alex, Grace, and Quirin for chatting with us this month, and a resounding thank you for reading again this month – I appreciate you. Happy Halloween!
– Chris