Title: Marketing Strategy Internship Location: Fort Wayne, IN Job Id: 3282

of Openings: 1

Marketing Strategy Internship Summer 2027 - May 17th through August 13th Location: Fort Wayne, IN Level: Intern Division / Department: Marketing / Brand Management Reporting to position: Brand and Marketing Manager About the Role: The Marketing Strategy Intern will play a key role in developing a comprehensive 2028 marketing plan designed to strengthen retailer understanding, engagement, and participation in the True Value brand. This internship offers a unique opportunity to work on a high-impact strategic initiative that will help communicate the advantages of being part of the True Value network and the broader Do it Best organization. This is a temporary position beginning in May 2027 and ending in August 2027. This internship is paid on an hourly basis. No relocation is offered, candidates must be local to the Fort Wayne, Indiana area for the Summer 2027 timeframe. The Intern may also be able to use this opportunity towards university/college credit. Responsibilities include: * Create strategic recommendations that demonstrate the value proposition of the True Value and Do it Best Group. * Build out creative ways to communicate the value of the brand program (sizzle reels, one pagers, podcasts, email marketing, paid social ads targeted towards retailers, etc.) * Conduct market and competitor research across the independent home improvement, hardware, and retail cooperative landscape * Evaluate competitor positioning, messaging, retailer support programs, marketing investments, and recruitment strategies * Provide recommendations for differentiation and competitive advantage * Gather insights from existing marketing materials, retailer feedback, and industry trends * Analyze opportunities to enhance awareness and perception of the True Value brand * Present findings and recommendations to marketing leadership Education and Experience: * Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations, or a related field * Prior coursework or projects related to marketing strategy, market research, consumer behavior, branding, or communications * Experience creating presentations, marketing content, or conducting research through coursework, internships, student organizations, or personal projects preferred * Interest in retail, consumer marketing, branding, or business strategy Skills and Abilities: * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Interest in learning how to support content development, video concepts, email marketing, and social media messaging * Curiosity and enthusiasm for asking questions, exploring new ideas, and learning through research * A creative mindset and willingness to contribute ideas while learning how marketing recommendations are developed * Interest in building research and analytical skills, including identifying trends, reviewing competitors, and summarizing findings * Comfort working with basic data, feedback, and market information * Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, especially PowerPoint and Excel * Ability to complete assigned tasks with guidance and collaborate positively with team members * Dependability, organization, and attention to detail * Willingness to share ideas, ask for feedback, and build confidence presenting to others Benefits available to you: * Helpful mentoring from business leaders within Marketing and other departments * Lunch and learns with Executives * Development sessions with HR * College credit About Do it Best: Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world's largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, we support thousands of independently owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities. Culture: Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role. Our Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served Our Mission: Making the best even better Our Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams