May 9, 2003

Student teams are national winners

PRSSA Bateman team is best in the nation

PRSSA faculty adviser and Associate Professor of Communications Cathy Rogers (far left) with members of the national Bateman champions Liz Bearce, Kathryn Sharp, Uyen Phan, Laura Burris, and Katherine Staiano.

Victory has never been this sweet. The PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) Bateman team has topped the competition in New Jersey to become national champions for the third year. For the fourth consecutive year and the fifth year out of seven, Loyola has landed in the top three of the national Bateman competition.

The team defeated the University of Florida and the Fashion Institute of Technology in the final round of competition May 2 in Somerset, New Jersey. Team members presented their campaign to Ferrero, the manufacturer of Nutella.

The PRSSA team members consists of communications seniors Liz Bearce, from North Falmouth, Massachusetts; Laura Burris from Richardson, Texas; Kathryn Sharp from Houston, Texas; and Katherine Staiano from Metairie, Louisiana; and communications junior Uyen Phan. Associate Professor of Communications Cathy Rogers, Ph.D., is PRSSA adviser.

Nutella, the original hazelnut spread, was created in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, a pastry maker and founder of the Ferrero Company. Competition was stiff again this year, with an increase from 47 entries last year to 65 entries submitted this year. Hats off to the team and Dr. Rogers.

The AMA in second place in international case competition

Congratulations also are extended to the Loyola chapter of the AMA (American Marketing Association), which won second place in the American Marketing Association International Case Competition for 2003.

Team members are Maria Barletta, Vanessa Chetty, Melissa Coto, Amanda Eckersley, Martha Oviedo, Chrissie Scelsi, Elizabeth Turner, and Roger Valladares.

This year's competition involved creating a marketing plan for Pringles Potato Crisps, a brand marketed by Procter & Gamble. Of the 87 collegiate chapters entered in this year's competition, 44 submitted written marketing plans. A panel of professional judges scored the plans and selected eight finalists. Along with Loyola, Bridgewater State University, Bowling Green State University, LeTourneau University, St. Claud State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, University of South Carolina and Western Michigan University were the other seven finalists.

Each finalist gave a 30-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer period to the marketing executives from the salted snack division of Procter & Gamble. The University of South Carolina won first place, Loyola won second, and Western Michigan University came in third. The final competition was held in New Orleans on March 13.

Nicole C. Fitz Rawlins, A'05, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications