Appalachian State’s Graphic Communications Program has partnered with Salem One to help develop their new class focusing on direct mail. The GCM program helps educate tomorrow’s leaders in the graphic communications world with a hands-on learning environment. Forward thinking associate professor, Mandy Wu recognized the value of direct mail in today’s marketing mix and with the help of Salem One’s Tracy Brooks (an Appalachian State alumnus) developed the class outline.

In addition to helping develop the syllabus, Salem One has multiple staff members participating frequently through the semester as guest lecturers. During the semester, Salem One will introduce students to the USPS, the delivery system, differences in postage classes, technical aspects of direct mail design, an overview of database management, and connecting physical mail to a digital experience.

The students will visit Salem One during the semester to experience how direct mail projects come together. During the visit, they will interact with the direct marketing industry leading team in project management, database management, and production. The experience will give the students a unique perspective of how a direct mail piece comes to life.

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