Isaac Allmaras
Major: Marketing
Mentor:
Expected Graduation Date: May 2011
About me:
Hello, my name is Isaac Allmaras. I was born and raised in Minot, ND but have currently lived in Grand Forks for the past 10 years now. I am a senior at the University Of North Dakota and Majoring in Marketing with an emphasis in sales. After graduating, my future goal is to obtain an MBA and to continue on to my Ph.D. I enjoy doing research and would someday like to build my career in a college setting teaching students. The Mcnair Program has been wonderful and has helped me prepare for the road that follows. The program is helping me pursue my goals and the weekly/monthly meetings I have attended has kept me on track, and has given me great insight on different types of programs that are available. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors and playing all types of sports. Building lasting relationships has always been held very high to me, and I have made some valuable relationships while at UND.
Abstract
This research project focuses on the impact of social media networks
pertaining to facebook, twitter, and blogs, and evaluating the effects they have on for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The intent of this study is to understand how much actual impact social networks have on potential consumers, and how influential online medias can effectively promote products and services. Social networking has evolved over the past decade along with the advancement of technology, and is a tool that is used to promote an organization or person when used in the business context. The study is based upon experience working with a State Farm Agent, as well as with a Marketing Coordinator from a private school to study the use of social networks in both for-profit and nonprofi t business environments. Two separate business pages will be created for facebook and twitter, and the feedback that is received will be assessed throughout the study. Research involves reading books and (sponsored) white papers on social media uses, tactics, significance, and effectiveness; talking to college students and business professionals on their awareness and opinions of how social networks influence them; and, observing first-hand the effects that networking has on these different types of businesses.