Innis Maggiore collaborates with Stark Education Partnership, Inc. on marketing traineeships
Innis Maggiore collaborates with Stark Education Partnership, Inc. to offer marketing traineeships.
CANTON, Ohio (Feb. 17, 2026) — Innis Maggiore, the nation’s leading positioning ad agency, today announced its collaboration with the Stark Education Partnership, Inc. (SEP) in providing marketing traineeships to local high school students.
Established in 1989, SEP connects with education, business, civic, and community stakeholders to provide students with education and career success in Stark County. The nonprofit executes its mission through strategies that create pathways to in-demand jobs, foster best practices, innovation, and technology in education, and enable strategic action through communication, data, and research.
Innis Maggiore participated in SEP’s Career Connected Learning (CCL) program, which pairs students with local businesses across Stark County as they determine their ideal career paths.
During the marketing traineeships, known as “experienceships,” students shadowed associates across various advertising disciplines, including creative services, media and digital marketing, public relations, web development, client services, and project management.
Rocco, a CCL participant, is a senior at East Canton High School who plans to study sports photography with a minor in marketing while in college. As an aspiring sports photographer, he has taken other steps toward his desired career by capturing images during school sporting events.
The marketing traineeship marked another opportunity where Rocco could immerse himself in a professional setting that provides a creative outlet.
“This experienceship has opened my eyes,” he said. “After learning about all of the agency departments, I can definitely see myself working in this type of environment. It’s been such a valuable experience.”
Innis Maggiore will conduct another marketing traineeship with Caitlyn, a senior at Louisville High School, who brings a deep interest in graphic design, later this month.
“Hands-on experience in a career field can give students the boost of confidence and direction that will help them take hold of their futures,” said Mark Vandegrift, president and CEO of Innis Maggiore. “We are honored to give Rocco and Caitlyn the opportunity to step into the world of advertising and communications.”
Aside from marketing traineeships, Innis Maggiore supports other avenues for youth career development. Resources like the Innis Maggiore Endowed Scholarship for Communications and the Canton Ad Federation Scholarship ease the financial burdens of higher education. The agency also facilitates an internship program for college students interested in advertising careers.
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 2025 capitalized billings of about $24 million. Some of its key clients include Advanced Power, Aultman Health System, AultCare Health Plans, Babcock & Wilcox, Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods, BellStores, 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), Stricklands Ice Cream, and WellLink Health Alliance.