Smith Undergrads Win Marketing Summit

A team of four undergraduates from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business took home first place in this year’s Wake Forest Marketing Summit, a case competition held annually at WFU’s campus in Winston-Salem, N.C. After 10 days of preparation and two intense days of competition, the students returned triumphantly to College Park with the first place trophy and $8,000 in prize winnings. Smith won the competition in 2013 and 2009.

This is the eighth year in a row that Smith School undergraduates have applied to and been selected to attend the Marketing Summit, a competition that attracts top business programs from around the world. Yale (second place) and University of Pennsylvania (third place) were the other finalists in the undergraduate competition.

It has become a Smith School tradition to establish a diverse a team composition in order to create the perfect combination of talents, experiences, and backgrounds, and this year’s team evidently upheld that tradition. Team members included: Jack Rupple (captain), senior marketing major; Ashley Jager, senior marketing major; Michael Barnett, junior marketing and supply chain management double major; and Bridget McManus, junior marketing and accounting double major.

Rupple was one of the winning team members from 2013. “If I have learned anything over the past 3 years of competing, it is hard work and the amazing people you surround yourself with that will allow you to succeed,” said Rupple. “Our team dynamic was created through friendship and complementary strengths, leading us to create something truly special.”

Jager took home the "North Carolina Retail Merchant Association MVP Award" of $1,000, for her impeccable content design and exceptional presentation skills. “Every creative mind needs a muse, and I was lucky enough to have three: my wonderful teammates,” said Jager. “Together we were able to create an astonishing presentation design that was both innovative and fun. The hard work really paid off!”

This year’s team was fortunate to have previously worked together in multiple capacities as heavily involved members of terpAMA, the Smith School’s collegiate chapter of the American Marketing Association.

“I have had some truly AMAzing memories since arriving at Maryland in fall 2012 but none can top this,” said Barnett. “The people we networked with were astounding and each boasted about the amazing talent coming out of the University of Maryland. It made me proud to not only be a marketer but a Terp, as well. This team was truly special and I am confident we have redefined this competition for years to come.”

McManus added, "The conference was not at all what I expected, both from the format and structure of events. Since most of the work was put in before we arrived, our team was able to enjoy the atmosphere of the event more than in year’s prior. Presenting in front of over 500 people was challenging yet exciting and it allowed us to gain feedback from top professionals in the industry." 

As the winner, the Smith School will be considered in next year’s applicant pool. Although there is plenty of work to be done, one thing is clear: the 2016 Marketing Summit has B1G expectations for the Terps.

For more information on the Wake Forest Marketing Summit – including competing teams, videos, photos, blogs, and news feeds – visit: marketingsummitlive.com.

Alissa Arford, Office of Marketing Communications