The advanced marketing, advertising and promotion class, Marketing Exchange, is taking on the challenge of increasing sales and promotions of a real world company, Smoothie King, during first and second lunch Thursday, Oct. 2.

In the past three years this class has turned into a free “marketing agency” open for any business to use to boost sales and promotion in the St. Louis area.

“Students can have a real world marketing experience within the school,” Bryce Bunton, teacher and mentor of the marketing agency, said.

Bunton said the agency works with a variety of different clients during the course of the year-long class. Currently, the students are working with Smoothie King to launch an event expected to boost sales and promotion within the school. In addition, every Tuesday Smoothie King caters to KHS during both lunches.

The event will have a surprise theme with small games that will promote Smoothie King by giving out free samples and promotional coupons. Games like cornhole, limbo and a photo booth will be featured at this year’s launch.

“It’ll all work well,” Tyler Steinkoetter, junior, said. “If we figure out all the logistics and execute what we’re trying to do, it’ll go smooth, and we will see a boost in sales at the school.”

Last year, a similar event was held by the previous class for the same purpose: to promote the Smoothie King brand in and around KHS.

“Last year’s class saw sales at KHS lunches go from about 20 to 30 smoothies sold a week to 150 a week after the launch,” Bunton said.

Another member of Marketing Exchange hopes to exceed expectations and find success.

“This year we hope to surpass last year’s class,” Jeff Kuziel, senior, said. “We want to raise awareness about the Smoothie King brand and increase sales within the school.”

This will be Bunton’s second year watching his students promote Smoothie King with a launch of this size, and the goals have not changed.

“Ultimately we strive to promote Smoothie King and help their business run more smoothly,” Bunton said.