Marketing Magic
Ohio Wesleyan Students Learn Business Lessons from Disney, Universal Studios, NASA, More
Name: Tasfia Rahman '26
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
High School: Ideal School & College
Major: International Business
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Name: Taylor Thompson '28
Hometown: Galena, Ohio
High School: Big Walnut High School
Majors: Business Administration and Spanish
Minor: Psychology
OWU Connection Experience: As part of a Travel-Learning Course, six students visited Orlando, Florida, this semester to explore marketing and brand management strategies that have helped produce some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, NASA, SpaceX, and the State of Florida.
Along with Rahman and Thompson, Ohio Wesleyan students participating in the OWU Connection experience were Isaiah Deleon '27, Iliana Horley '27, Ben O'Loughlin '27, and Tyler Staten '27. The students, all enrolled in OWU's Business 120 or 410 classes, traveled with The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship's Destiny Coleman, M.S., director, and Matt Vollrath, DBA, faculty director, associate professor of Business Administration, and chair of the Department of Economics and Business.
Why This Experience?
Rahman: "I chose this experience as I was fascinated by how world-renowned brands like Disney, Universal, and NASA seamlessly weave storytelling into their marketing, branding, and customer connections."
Thompson: "This experience spoke to me because it allowed me to experience Disney and NASA and apply what I am already learning in class to real-world successful companies."
Favorite Moments
Rahman: "My favorite moment was the Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center. The realistic simulation of a launch, with sounds, movement, and visuals, was thrilling and unforgettable. It perfectly captured the excitement of space exploration."
Thompson: "My favorite moment of this experience was the VIP Universal tour because I got to learn about the history of Universal and see things other people wouldn't."
Lessons Learned
Rahman: "I learned how powerful storytelling can be in building memorable brands. Disney and Universal use immersive environments, characters, and interactive experiences to make visitors feel part of the story, enhancing brand loyalty. NASA uses storytelling to inspire curiosity and pride through showcasing achievements and progress."
"The experience sparked new ideas for my future branding goals. Watching Disney and Universal craft entire worlds that people never want to leave made me realize the power of creating not just products, but experiences. This directly ties back to my marketing classes, where we learned how creating memorable customer experiences enhances brand loyalty and equity."
Thompson: "I got to tie what I learned about the consumer mindset and behavior to how NASA and Disney function to cater to that. One example of this would be how both companies put the gift shop by the exit, or it becomes the exit, so people feel more obligated to purchase products.
"This experience will help me to market effectively for a company I will work for in the future. Experiences like these matter because a real-world application is extremely important to understand a concept.
"We will use the research we gathered on our trip to write a guide for young businesses on how to create a magical experience. This will be posted in our entrepreneurial building on campus as well as given to the Marketing Club's clients."
The experience sparked new ideas for my future branding goals. Watching Disney and Universal craft entire worlds that people never want to leave made me realize the power of creating not just products, but experiences.
Campus Involvements
Rahman: "Outside the classroom, I am involved as a resident assistant on campus and a program development ambassador at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs."
Thompson: "I am part of an adult league soccer team, along with being the freshman ambassador for the Circle K club and a budget committee member of student government." Thompson is also a Woltemade Economics and Business Fellow.
Why OWU?
Rahman: "I chose Ohio Wesleyan for its strong business resources through the Woltemade Center, the supportive community of the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, and the benefits of a liberal arts education. The tight-knit campus environment and the scholarship opportunity made OWU feel like the perfect place to grow academically and personally."
Thompson: "I chose Ohio Wesleyan because the campus is smaller so I can have more hands-on experience with professors."
Plans After Graduation
Rahman: "After graduation, I aim to work in a field that bridges international business and social impact, possibly within the association or business development sector."
Thompson: "I would like to either be a marketing manager or a human resource manager. OWU helps me achieve this by providing many resources and opportunities to network. The Career Connection program also helps me feel prepared by doing mock interviews and helping me curate my resume."