Innis Maggiore hosts agency mentoring event with TomTod Ideas
Innis Maggiore hosted an agency mentoring day with TomTod Ideas.
CANTON, Ohio (Feb. 24, 2025) — Innis Maggiore, the nation’s leading positioning ad agency, hosted an agency mentoring event for middle school students through TomTod Ideas, a nonprofit organization that empowers middle schoolers to explore and launch ideas. The discovery day, which focused on identifying the needs of our community, is one of many ways Innis Maggiore supports local youth.
Founded in 2012, TomTod Ideas is an organization that encourages adolescent growth by listening to, honoring, and advocating for middle schoolers. Based in Canton, the group creates programming to help students identify their interests and connect with their community. Curriculum is rooted in curating meaningful experiences through collaboration with real community partners.
Joel Daniel Harris, founder and executive dreamer of TomTod Ideas, approached Innis Maggiore with the opportunity of facilitating an agency mentoring day for middle schoolers.
“We give our middle schoolers every possible occasion to spur their unique ideas and put their imaginations in action,” said Harris. “This collaboration with Innis Maggiore shows them how they can make their dreams reality and, ultimately, how they can shape the future of their community.”
STEAMM Academy middle school students ideate community improvement initiatives.
Video & Art Director Alicia Jordan shows examples of creative work developed by the Innis Maggiore Creative team.
With support from the TomTod Ideas team, the agency mentoring event hosted 30 middle school students from STEAMM Academy at its headquarters on Whipple Ave. The students were divided into three stations, each featuring associates from every agency department.
During each rotation, students were given the chance to interview associates about their careers and the impact they can make on the community, take part in community improvement ideation, and create inspiration boards as part of their semester project of updating the front of their school building.
Associate Creative Director Emily Mays explains the inspiration board activity.
“Investing in the region has always been a central tenet to life at Innis Maggiore,” said Mark Vandegrift, president & CEO of Innis Maggiore. “The agency mentoring event with TomTod Ideas was a natural fit in accomplishing that goal. Our associates were eager to engage students and share their experiences.”
Two students interview Innis Maggiore President & CEO Mark Vandegrift.
Beyond its partnership with TomTod Ideas, Innis Maggiore demonstrates its commitment to regional youth by offering practical experience in advertising through its internship program. In addition, the agency regularly distributes the Innis Maggiore Endowed Scholarship for Communications to local college students pursuing careers in marketing and communications and sponsors a multitude of career development programs. Several associates also provide agency mentoring through The Legacy Project of Stark.
About TomTod Ideas, Inc.
TomTod Ideas, Inc. is a youth development nonprofit that listens to, honors, and advocates for middle schoolers. Based in Canton, the organization encourages students from ages 10 to 14 to explore and launch ideas that put empathy and imagination into action. TomTod Ideas builds curriculum and curates experiences with real community partners to provide meaningful opportunities. Since its founding in 2012, TomTod Ideas has helped thousands of middle schoolers discover and love their communities.
About Innis Maggiore
Innis Maggiore Group is recognized as America’s leading positioning ad agency, building strong brand positions for companies around the world. The full-service integrated agency had 2024 capitalized billings of about $25 million. Some of its key clients include Advanced Power, Aultman Health System, AultCare Health Plans, Babcock & Wilcox, Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods, BellStores, The Center for Health Affairs, Encino Energy, ForeverLawn, Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina (GIENC®), GOJO Industries (PURELL), Golf Crypt, Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment, JDM Structures, KFC/Kendall House, Lewis Services, MID’S True Sicilian Pasta Sauce, Midwest Industrial Supply, Mueller Electric, ReliaRide Medical Transportation, Robertson Heating Supply Company, SmithFoods/Prairie Farms, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), and Stricklands Ice Cream.