Doe-Anderson Partners with Western Kentucky University on Internship Programme

Doe-Anderson has partnered with Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) student-run advertising and public relations firm, Imagewest, on a summer internship programme where students assume various roles to gain 'real world' experience during their time at the agency.

Imagewest is overseen by two WKU faculty members: former Doe-Anderson executive vice chairman David Vawter, WKU Professional-in-Residence, and Kara Williams Glenn, Assistant Professor of Art and Design. While working at Doe-Anderson, the group is mentored by Doe-Anderson marketing director Erin Spalding.

This year, Doe-Anderson's interns worked with the Louisville Zoo on a new campaign for their annual Wild Lights lantern festival to opening in March of 2024.

"We want to drive interest in the event beyond our typical zoo family. The team planned a campaign for next year designed to better reach this audience,” said Robert Kemnitz, director of marketing at the Louisville Zoo. “We were genuinely amazed by the innovative ideas and deep insights that these talented young professionals brought to the assignment."

"We are incredibly proud of the work our interns have done over the last 10 weeks. They came in extremely prepared, eager to learn and taught us a few things along the way,” Spalding said. “The Louisville Zoo team were great partners as well. The Wild Lights event is a gem for the city, and we are thrilled to help more people enjoy it next year.”

The five student interns include:

● MacKenzie Bradley- Media

● Camaren Pursley- Project Management and Client Partnership

● Jack Quinn- Copywriting 

● Isaac Teske- Art Direction 

● Kaity Weitlauf- Strategy 

Bradley noted, “Everybody here is so engaged in helping you learn.  No one is ever too busy to answer a question or talk to you about your job. Most amazing was the tremendous trust they had in us and our ability to do the job and do it right out of the gate.”  

John Birnsteel, Doe-Anderson CEO said, “Doe-Anderson is honored to have worked with such talented students and hopes to continue to work with Imagewest for years to come. Gaining such experience is an integral part of determining career goals. With this program, Doe-Anderson allows students at Western Kentucky University to do just that.”