Project background
At NTU, providing meaningful work experience opportunities is a priority. With strong industry connections, our students regularly take part in real-world projects, placements, and hands-on learning designed to prepare them for successful careers.
One exciting example is the collaboration between our Artisan Food Production students and Dropworks Distillery - the largest rum distillery in Europe - located just a short walk from The School of Artisan Food at the Welbeck Estate.
As part of the Year One module Artisan Business Entrepreneurship and Marketing, students were challenged to work in teams to develop and pitch a viable marketing plan for a new or existing artisan product or business. To support their work, they visited Dropworks Distillery, where they spent time learning about the brand, its unique products, marketing strategies, and target audience. The visit also gave students the opportunity to ask in-depth questions and gain valuable insights into the workings of a successful artisan business.
The project brief set to students:
Deliverables:
- Produce and submit a marketing plan of no more than 2500 words in PDF format.
- A reflective log on team performance, goal-setting and clear identification of each individual's contribution to the marketing plan.
It must include:
- A clear overview of the artisan product or business.
- Evidence of research into customer segmentation and demographics for their chosen product or business.
- Evidence of consumer knowledge and behaviour and the social, environmental and individual factors that affect buying behaviour.
- Knowledge of various marketing strategies and identification of the most appropriate online and traditional marketing techniques for your product or business.
- Evidence of ROI and how you will measure the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.
Hear from the Course Leader
Working on the Dropworks marketing brief has provided our Year One Artisan Food Production students with a great opportunity to visit an artisan producer, demonstrate their creativity, teamwork and marketing skills to produce a marketing plan for a real artisan business. This underpins the importance in providing our students with work-like experience throughout their studies and providing them with opportunities to meet and learn from existing artisan businesses."
Sheila Russell, Course Leader for Artisan Food Production