DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow, 500 balloons and refreshments will kick-off Marketing Week at noon today outside the Wirtz Auditorium in the Wirtz Light Court.

“Celebrate Marketing: It Makes Life Better” is the theme of the five days of programs celebrating advantages in marketing careers and the impact marketing has on everyone’s lives, according to a flyer by the American Marketing Association.

All students can participate in most of the events at no cost, said NIU’s AMA President Sal LoSchiavo.

“Sparrow will officially proclaim it Marketing Week and cut the string to 500 helium balloons,” he said.

LoSchiavo expects 700 people to attend Thursday night’s presentation of Robert Kerrigan, chief operating officer of Northwestern Mutual.

He will speak about “Power, Purpose, Promotion: The Dynamics of Achievement” at 7 p.m. in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium.

Kerrigan received a standing ovation last semester for his “magnifying, intense, powerfully motivating” presentation, where “thirty minutes seemed like five,” said LoSchiavo.

Susan Ball, NIU graduate and account supervisor for “the number one advertising agency in Chicago,” Leo Burnett Advertising, will talk Tuesday, LoSchiavo said.

Her topic will be “Superior Advertising” at 9:15 p.m. in Wirtz Auditorium, he said.

Since AMA’s number one goal for marketing week is community involvement, AMA members will visit two local high schools, said AMA Vice President Brenda Cummings.

AMA members will spread the marketing word at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at DeKalb High School and Sycamore High School early morning Wednesday, LoSchiavo said.

AMA members will talk with high school seniors about the importance of marketing in daily life, he said.

A visit to the DeKalb County Nursing Home Friday will give AMA members an “outlet for community service,” Cummings said.

The residents are “receptive to students,” LoSchiavo said.

A welcoming social will be held Wednesday at 8 p.m. for AMA members only, he said.

AMA recently acquired an office at Williston Hall 414. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and anyone with questions can call 753-0874, LoSchiavo said.