Hanson Dodge, MIAD interns work on Harley Davidson Museum

(Interns with Megan DeAngelis, Account Director, middle row, second from left, and Mikey Kok, Integrated Media Planner bottom row, far right)

For the fourth consecutive year, Hanson Dodge (HD) has partnered with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to host high school students in a dynamic summer internship program. Launched in 2021, this initiative aims to introduce students to potential career paths they might not yet be aware of while infusing agencies with fresh energy and creativity.

HD was the inaugural company to join forces with MIAD and has played a crucial role in expanding the program to include over 60 students and eight local partner businesses. This year, HD welcomed 16 students—the largest cohort to date.

During their two-week internship at HD, students tackled a real-life client project. Previous clients included Johnsonville Sausage (2021), Visit Milwaukee (2022), and the Milwaukee Pretzel Company (2023).

This year, the focus was on the Harley-Davidson Museum, with the task of attracting local community members who are not Harley-Davidson riders to visit the Museum. The goal was to highlight the Museum as a vital part of Milwaukee’s cultural landscape.

The interns were divided into three groups, each developing a unique solution to this challenge:

Group 1 devised a poster campaign titled “Make Harley You,” showcasing the Museum’s distinctive personality.

Group 2 created an interactive scavenger hunt experience, encouraging participants to collect 20 stickers scattered around the city for a chance to win a meal ticket at the Motor Bar and Restaurant. This included animated videos.

Group 3 developed a sidewalk campaign that highlighted the full cultural experience offered by the Museum.

Megan Suardini, Marketing Director, Museum & Milwaukee Experiences at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, remarked, “It was truly inspiring to see how passionate and thoughtful the students were about the assignment…we loved hearing their fresh perspectives and how we can better incorporate new approaches to reach non-riders and the next generation.”

Given the industry’s ongoing focus on attracting and retaining diverse talent—especially in Milwaukee—and HD’s steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, this internship program stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through such initiatives.

Attached are photos of the interns, including two key HD executives responsible for overseeing the program:

(Interns with Megan DeAngelis, Account Director, middle row, second from left, and Mikey Kok, Integrated Media Planner bottom row, far right)

For the fourth consecutive year, Hanson Dodge (HD) has partnered with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to host high school students in a dynamic summer internship program. Launched in 2021, this initiative aims to introduce students to potential career paths they might not yet be aware of while infusing agencies with fresh energy and creativity.

HD was the inaugural company to join forces with MIAD and has played a crucial role in expanding the program to include over 60 students and eight local partner businesses. This year, HD welcomed 16 students—the largest cohort to date.

During their two-week internship at HD, students tackled a real-life client project. Previous clients included Johnsonville Sausage (2021), Visit Milwaukee (2022), and the Milwaukee Pretzel Company (2023).

This year, the focus was on the Harley-Davidson Museum, with the task of attracting local community members who are not Harley-Davidson riders to visit the Museum. The goal was to highlight the Museum as a vital part of Milwaukee’s cultural landscape.

The interns were divided into three groups, each developing a unique solution to this challenge:

Group 1 devised a poster campaign titled “Make Harley You,” showcasing the Museum’s distinctive personality.

Group 2 created an interactive scavenger hunt experience, encouraging participants to collect 20 stickers scattered around the city for a chance to win a meal ticket at the Motor Bar and Restaurant. This included animated videos.

Group 3 developed a sidewalk campaign that highlighted the full cultural experience offered by the Museum.

Megan Suardini, Marketing Director, Museum & Milwaukee Experiences at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, remarked, “It was truly inspiring to see how passionate and thoughtful the students were about the assignment…we loved hearing their fresh perspectives and how we can better incorporate new approaches to reach non-riders and the next generation.”

Given the industry’s ongoing focus on attracting and retaining diverse talent—especially in Milwaukee—and HD’s steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, this internship program stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through such initiatives.

Attached are photos of the interns, including two key HD executives responsible for overseeing the program: