2002 Accenture MBA Case Competition Highlights
The
Accenture MBA Case Competition, the third of four experiential learning modules
(ELMs) for Smith School MBAs, took place May 3-8, 2002.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated ELM, the case competition is the first
comprehensive test of strategic thinking and analytical skills that first-year
MBAs encounter. At the start of the five-day competition, teams composed of
three to five students are given a general management case dealing with broad
strategy issues facing a company. The teams submit their analyses and
recommendations in written and oral presentations. Four teams advance to the
final round, which is judged by a panel of senior executives who play the role
of the company's board of directors.
This year, teams were challenged with giving an unbiased analysis of the
market dynamics and its own strategic options over the next several years for
The Walt Disney Company.
The winning team (C3) had a strategy with a "family fun" theme. Members include
(l to r): Brandon Griesel, Ty Wilkins, Sarah Garwood, Nicole Welch, and Ali
Kemal Karakaya
The other teams advancing to the finals were:
Silver (l to r): Jon Lee, Elisa Foltz, Peter Feret (back row), Tushar Adya, Jeff
Henry (Team D8)
Bronze (l to r): Riyuske Kuwahara, Teresa Clark, Cara Mattison, Estie Kearney,
and Tim Benesh (Team A3)
Bronze (l to r): Laura Grandy, Sean Ranking, Natalia Culiuc, Satish Ravella,
Mei-fong Long (Team B11)
Final Round Judges:
Mark Burdett (left), senior director of corporate marketing and partnerships for
the Baltimore Ravens, and Rudolph Lamone, former dean of the Smith School,
founder of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, and co-founder of DirectGene,
a local biotechnology firm.
Dean Howard Frank (left), and Howard Ruddell, vice president
of operations at Lockheed Martin Information Technology (IT).
Highlights from the competition:
