Marketing students come out on top

By: Justin Desjardins
Posted In: Club News

UPDATE: Juniors Meagan Shaw and Kristin DeVeault and seniors Alicia Pensarosa and Jamie Greene took on some of the nation’s largest institutions at the American Marketing Association’s National Case Competition in New Orleans. During the March 25 finals, the team placed second in the nation, tying with the University of Utah and finishing just behind the University of South Carolina.

Four Salve students have been selected to compete among the final eight teams at the annual collegiate conference in New Orleans in the American Marketing Association’s annual case competition. Juniors Meagan Shaw and Kristin DeVeault and seniors Alicia Pensarosa and Jamie Greene are the team members.

They designed a plan to fund student monetary awards in addition to the plaques that are currently used to recognize the top chapter of the year and the top chapter in each region. Then the team made a recommendation to the American Marketing Association’s Collegiate Chapter Council on how they should approach external businesses or organizations to sponsor the awards.

The eight finalists will present their case solutions to a panel of judges from March 25 through March 28. The other schools competing include Stephen Austin University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Utah. Dr. Traci Warrington, associate professor in marketing, adds that Salve is the smallest and newest finalist in the competition.

Warrington is the advisor of the Salve’s chapter of the American Marketing Association. Meagan Shaw founded the chapter and has served three years as its president. They describe the journey to the finals as exciting and add that their first trip to the finals came in their second year of eligibility to compete for the title.

The team raised over $2,000 to be able to participate in the conference. Shaw says that each individual member of the four-person team has qualified to compete in the individual sales competition.

Dr. Ron Atkins, chair of business studies, says he is excited and proud of the team’s accomplishment. He adds that this “puts Salve on the map,” and upon learning of the competition, one lecturer, who came to present a lecture at Salve, donated $500 towards the team’s trip to New Orleans.

Shaw says that Salve’s marketing week won the national competition in 2002 – 2003; the theme of that week was to, “sail into the future.” This year’s theme was “navigate your way to success.”

The American Marketing Association’s Executive Board offers their support for the team’s upcoming competition.

Shaw is pleased that the Salve chapter has a membership of 30 members and continues to grow in its third year of existence. There are about 200 chapters of the association in the country.

Warrington and Shaw both mention that the American Marketing Association is open to all students, in all majors. The only requirement is an interest in learning about marketing. As members, students can learn team building, how to complete a resume, leadership, and communication skills.