- Intro to the Simulation
- Curriculum Elements
- Intern Onboarding
- Intro to the Internship
- Task 1: Identify Target Audiences
- Task 2: Locate Target Audiences
- Task 3: Develop Strategy & Message
- Task 4: Test Media Buys
- Task 5: Campaign Pitch
- Design a Campaign
- New Campaign Overview
- Special Interest Groups
- Task 6: Campaign RFP
- Task 7: Identify Target Audiences
- Task 8: Conduct Media Audit
- Task 9: Determine Strategy
- Task 10: Finalize Campaign
- Client Pitch Presentations
- Debrief and Discussion
- Resource Library
Intern Onboarding
Task 5: Campaign Pitch
(~45 minutes)
Lesson Framing & Purpose:
Using the interns’ suggestions, the PurpleState team has put together a pitch for the campaign. Review the recorded pitch and the pitch deck with students and remind them that they will have to present their own pitch in the following phase of the simulation. Go over the pitch together and discuss the different elements. Ask them if they think the PurpleState team made good decisions and evaluate the evidence used to justify the proposed strategy.
- Students will learn what is expected from a pitch.
- Students will evaluate the pitch and the evidence it uses to justify its decisions.
Resources:
Teacher only resources- Task 5 Email (Wisconsin | Virginia)
- Onboarding Campaign Pitch (Wisconsin | Virginia)
- PurpleState Structure Infographic
Reflective Questions:
- Now that you have completed your training as a political media intern, is this a job you would want to have in real life? Why or why not?
- What does your experience so far help you understand about why you see the political ads and news sources that you do? What factors dictate why you may see particular political news or ads?
- How might your understanding of how campaigns target groups for political messages change your behavior when you see political news and ads?
Learning Activities:
Email 5 (15 minutes)
- Have students read the Task 5 Email, which refers to their help on the sample campaign.
- Watch and discuss the Onboarding Campaign Pitch put together by Matt Gonzalez’s team.
- Compare interns’ research and ideas to the pitch used by the firm. Have interns refer to specific places in the Onboarding Pitch Deck and its presentation notes when making comparisons. (This will be a model and resource to them when they make their own pitch.)
- “What kinds of persuasive strategies did you notice being”
- “How did they design their pitch to appeal to their client?”
- “Do you think Matt Gonzalez’s team will win the contract?”
- “If you were making this pitch, what would you do differently and why?”
Reflective Discussion 1 (~30 minutes)
These reflective discussions are designed to have students consider the simulation in relation to their own experiences with political media and to examine the role of media, money, and groups in the US political system. Use the Reflective Questions above as well as the PurpleState Structure Infographic to facilitate discussion around students’ experiences so far as interns.
Implementation Tips
- Remember this is a practice run for their own campaigns and a good opportunity to address any errors as teachable moments to help the class with their final pitches.
- Students will need to clearly communicate their recommendations in their final pitches, including justifying their decisions and supplying evidence. Their “clients” will expect to understand what they are getting for their investment.
- The simulation is focused in particular on providing opportunities for students to develop argumentation skills. When reviewing the Onboarding Campaign Pitch, it is helpful to explicitly focus on elements of argumentation (e.g., using evidence to support claims).
- The Onboarding Pitch Deck will be a resource for students when they prepare and present their own pitches. Having them refer to it when comparing their ideas with the recorded pitch will help familiarize them with the form and style.