The DU division of marketing has not established a plan to recycle the over 148 banners advertising the presidential debate which still hang around campus, but stated other leftover debate paraphernalia will be handed out to students, faculty, alumni and volunteers.
The division of marketing and communications worked for several months preparing for the presidential debate that occurred on Oct. 3. The debate paraphernalia included banners varying in size and type on display throughout campus.
In total there were 148 banners on-campus, 110 of which were displayed on light poles and the rest around campus in the media center and debate hall in the Ritchie Center and Newman Center for Performing Arts.
According to external communications specialist Theresa Mueller, the marketing team plans on being as sustainable as possible in the disposal of the banners.
“The banners will either be given away as memorabilia, via a raffle, or recycled,” said Mueller.
In addition to the banners, other items including coffee cups, T-shirts, logos and stickers are leftover from the debate. The marketing team plans on distributing media bags filled with leftover paraphernalia to various departments. According to Mueller, some have gone to the 400 students, alumni, faculty and staff members who volunteered to assist with the debate.
“Media bags are going to various departments who will use them for conferences,” said Mueller. “Some have gone to volunteers and those departments who worked on the debate. Some items will go to local schools as a thank you for debate disruptions.”
Three months prior to the actual debate day, the marketing team predicted the variety show Saturday Night Live (SNL) would perform a skit of the presidential debate. They sent an arrangement of DU-branded items just in case. Mueller said the team did not have any expectations but were pleased when SNL used the aerial footage of the campus they provided in the package.
While SNL rejected the items gifted to them, Mueller anticipates students on-campus won’t hesitate to get their hands on the paraphernalia. The marketing team will come out with a plan for the leftover items soon.
