Building Buzz For Lenovo

Story by University Development
Originally published July 14, 2016, on stories.unc.edu

“Our brilliant interns from UNC had a huge impact. They brought great energy, contributions and results.” — Jeff Shafer ’93, Lenovo vice president of global corporate communications

Will Schoeffler was one of 10 Carolina students to contribute to a record-breaking public relations and social media performance around Lenovo’s signature technology showcase event— Tech World.

The students were the first UNC-Lenovo Tech World Global Interns, with placements in San Francisco, Beijing and Lenovo’s U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park.

For his part, Schoeffler — a double major in advertising and media production in the School of Media and Journalism — worked with Lenovo’s global social media content manager on a “global road trip” pre-event campaign to build buzz. He and another intern, English/psychology major Bonnie Meyer, drove a Tech World-branded Jeep mounted with GoPro cameras from Raleigh to San Francisco, creating video content for social media during stops along the way.

“I learned a ton that will help my career, and I had some amazing life experiences,” he said.

Alumnus Jeff Shafer ’93, Lenovo’s vice president of global corporate communications and a key organizer of the internship program, called 2016 Tech World the single biggest and most successful event ever from a public relations and social media standpoint for Lenovo.

“Our brilliant team of interns from UNC had a huge impact,” he said. “They brought great energy and enthusiasm, but moreover, great work, performance, contributions and results.”