Fairfield University Students Collaborate with Local Italian Restaurant for Innovative Marketing Project

Fairfield Students Partner with Local Italian Eatery for Innovative Marketing Campaign

Fairfield, CT — In a heartwarming collaboration, students from Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University recently teamed up with Romanacci, a much-loved local Italian restaurant, to spice up its social media presence. This partnership not only helped Romanacci amplify its digital footprint but also provided some hands-on learning experiences for the students.

A Dynamic Partnership

Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Marketing Woocheol Kim, PhD, the students enrolled in the Social Media Marketing course dove headfirst into the world of influencer marketing, content creation, and analyzing how well their campaigns performed. The semester-long project gave students a chance to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, which, let’s be honest, is how the best learning happens!

“This project goes one step further, exposing students to actual issues related to social media and asking them to address those issues,” Dr. Kim expressed enthusiastically. He continued, “I’d like my students to take this project as something they can be proud to share on their résumé.” Can you imagine having **real** experience to show off when you’re job hunting? How cool is that?

Romanacci’s Unexpected Success

James Ricci, the chief marketing officer for Romanacci, was equally impressed. “The main part of this partnership was to give students hands-on work experience in the space, but the performance on our social media was way beyond what I expected,” he revealed. “As much as the students liked it, we [Romanacci] liked it too.”

And it seems the results spoke for themselves! Students worked in teams to generate revenue-driven social media content, with half focusing on organic efforts while the other half tackled paid media strategies. The success of their project was measured through engaging metrics like likes, comments, and website traffic. Who wouldn’t want to see those numbers climb?

Internship Opportunities

Thanks to the success of this partnership, Romanacci is taking it a step further by offering two students semester-long internships for the spring of 2025. This only solidifies the positive impact the collaboration has had on both the students and the restaurant. What an amazing opportunity for those selected interns!

A Student’s Perspective

Jonathan Kuzik, a student in the course, shared his thoughts on this unique experience. “Hands-on experience with a local business has provided me with a unique opportunity to apply my marketing knowledge in a practical setting,” he noted. His excitement is infectious, and it represents a sentiment shared by many involved in the project.

Commitment to Experiential Learning

This partnership beautifully illustrates Fairfield Dolan’s dedication to experiential learning and the importance of building valuable connections with local businesses. “The best way to prepare marketing students for their careers is to help students learn by doing,” Dr. Kim emphasized. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the professional world before even stepping foot out of college.

About Fairfield Dolan

For those interested, the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University is recognized nationally for its innovative business education approach, ensuring students have ample hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for today’s competitive job market.

About Romanacci

And let’s not forget about Romanacci! This charming, family-owned Italian restaurant has carved out a special place in Fairfield County’s heart. With five locations under its belt, Romanacci is famous for its authentic cuisine and warm atmosphere, making it a beloved dining destination in the community.

This partnership between students and a local business stands as a sweet reminder of how collaboration can pave the way for growth and opportunity. Here’s to many more fruitful partnerships and creative campaigns down the road!