May 4th, 2011

2011 Advertising ClassA unique course, comprised of twelve senior-level Montana State University (MSU) marketing and graphic design students, placed 2nd in the district at the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) in Boise, Idaho. The team also won the award for “best in-store customer experience,” and Meghan Doyle, a senior in marketing, won the award for “best female presenter” in the competition. The NSAC has become the proving ground for more than 80,000 students, many of whom are hired by top advertising agencies.

The team was advised by Mike Gold, College of Business adjunct professor, former president of Saatchi & Saatchi one of the largest and most prestigious advertising firms in the world and current CEO for Flying Horse Communications in Bozeman, Montana.

“This year’s class had an excellent combination of strong design and marketing students, who worked well together to produce a strategically sound and creatively exciting campaign. It is a great credit to this group of students to have competed with and beaten schools of the caliber of University of Oregon, Portland State, Boise State and Washington State,” Gold said.

After an entire year of research, team work and practice for the competition, the students were thrilled with the outcome.

A different corporate sponsor provides a challenging, real-life issue or case study related to a specific company product or service each year. This year the sponsor was JCPenny. Students research the product, the competition, identify potential problem areas, and provide solutions which are packaged into a completely integrated marketing campaign for the client during this year-long marketing course, MKTG 489/490, offered through the College of Business.

Students who participated in the class included Keegan Bowen*, Whitney Connolly*, Meghan Doyle, Jordan Jarosky, Jolene Karls, Mary Meccage*, Elise Nelsen, Tyler Noland, Khari Otto*, Gabrielle Pfeifer, Kelly Schroeder, Michael Spencer*

*denotes graphic design