STUDENTS were given a taste of the world of marketing and brand design last week in Malmesbury.

Six year 10 pupils from Malmesbury School completed a week of work experience at marketing and design agency The Front Room.

The Malmesbury-based business took the youngsters through the process of developing their own business and brand, which they presented to the town mayor and mayoress at the end of their week.

The group were given the opportunity to work closely with each department at Front Room while they worked on their business ideas, giving them a complete sense of what it’s like to develop a brand.

They worked with the graphics, web design, PR, marketing and brand management teams to learn more about each of their roles within the design and marketing process.

Two guest speakers, Duncan Smith from iCompli and Graham Davies ‘The Presentation Coach’, then came to talk to the students about communication and presenting.

Students also got to sit in on several client meetings, including a marketing meeting with the team from the Boondocks Festival, based in Malmesbury.

One of the students taking part was Eliot Powell, who studies computer science as one of his GCSE’s at Malmesbury School.

He said there was lots to take away from the week and would recommend it to future year 10 pupils at the school.

“We learned the difference between brand and branding,” he said.

“Two guys in and came to teach us how to present, I learned a lot about the preparation of presentation and how important it is.

“It takes away the nerves if you prepare.”

The students even got to try their hand at making an official press release for their week at Front Room.

In it they said: “Working with the team at Front Room has been an educational insight to the world of marketing and design. We've really enjoyed ourselves and learnt lots in the process.

“We gained insight into the marketing process and looked at how logos and websites are created; using these skills we constructed a brand that was completely our own.”

Malmesbury mayor, town councillor John Gundry, said after the presentation: “The marketing ideas they presented were innovative and well thought through and the quality of the presentations themselves was high.

“It was clear the students had accomplished and learned a great deal from their four days in a creative and supportive environment.

“The idea of students working with local businesses is a great one and I wish I had had that opportunity.

“Well done the students, the Front Room and the school.”

Jemima Trussell, marketing communications manager at Front Room, said: “The students have been a pleasure to work with and it has been great for us to share industry expertise and support their development and learning.

“It has been a brilliant experience for our team and we’re already looking forward to meeting the class of 2017.”