It’s intern season in Adland and Milwaukee-based Hanson Dodge (HD) partnered with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to put 16 students to work on a real client—a museum dedicated to the iconic motorcycle brand Harley Davidson.  

Their assignment was to get the local community—outside of biker enthusiasts-- to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum and campus by demonstrating that the institution is a key destination and part of the “Milwaukee spirit.”    

Some students were tasked with devising a poster campaign that showed off the personality of the Museum (“Make Harley You”).   

Others created an interactive experience which invited people to take part in a scavenger hunt, looking for a series of 20 collectable stickers scattered about the city, with the chance to win a meal at a local restaurant.   

Still others devised a sidewalk campaign that showed off the Museum’s full cultural experience.  

The client gave the work two thumbs up. “It was truly inspiring to see how passionate and thoughtful the students were on the assignment…we loved hearing their fresh perspectives and how we can better incorporate new approaches to reach non-riders and the next generation,” said Megan Suardini, marketing director, Museum & Milwaukee Experiences, Harley-Davidson Motor Co.  

It’s the fourth summer that HD has worked with the MIAD, each year with a different client. HD was the inaugural company to partner with MIAD and has since helped the program grow to more than 60 participating students and eight local partner businesses.