By Patrick Clarke
The Atlanta-based carrier recently employed a group of college seniors who participated in an eight-week internship at Delta’s headquarters. The students’ feedback is what ultimately prompted the new partnerships, Delta said.
The airline’s new university partners include Duke University, University of Florida, Indiana University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University, Penn State University and University of Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, Delta had previously formed partnerships with Boston College, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, and Syracuse University.
“College students are a savvy group of consumers,” said Delta’s Vice President of Product Development, Sky Clubs and Marketing Communications Jeff Robertson in a statement. “By creating campus and alumni events that incorporate our people, our unmatched focus on customer service, leadership and more, we will give students and alums the opportunity to really get to know our airline.”
“Ultimately, we believe this will position Delta as their trusted partner over a lifetime of travel,” he concluded.
Rather than simply engaging in “traditional events and logo placements,” as Notre Dame Sports Properties president Scott Correira pointed out in a statement, Delta will participate in a handful of hands-on campus events.
Those will include assisting Michigan State freshmen with their move-in process, hosting football season tailgate parties for SkyMiles members and participating at Midnight Madness events to kick off the 2015-16 college basketball season, among others.
Delta also announced it will help college students looking to travel through volunteer opportunities as well as advise students eyeing a potential career with the airline.
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