Date: August 27, 2012
Author: Tom Reichert
Contact: Tom Reichert, reichert@uga.edu

Athens, Ga. - Three UGA Grady College teams swept this year's Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) Collegiate ECHO Challenge.  This year's competition involved marketing campaigns for <em>SkyMall</em> magazine, a Delta/SkyTeam publication. 

Student teams led by Grady College faculty members Jennifer Griffith, Cindy Reynolds, and Jooyoung Kim took Gold, Silver and Bronze, respectively.  This is the first time in ECHO Challenge history where the medal podium was taken by one university.

"DMEF's competition is very tough to win, much less, place 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  These results are unprecedented and showcase the student talent at the University of Georgia," said Department Head of Advertising and Public Relations Tom Reichert.  "Needless to say, we're very proud of our students and their terrific work."

The ECHO Challenge encourages students to apply their studies and knowledge to real world projects and campaigns.  Each year, a different company sponsors ECHO and develops a unique challenge for students to undertake.  Student teams of two to four are required to submit marketing plans, which include qualitative and quantitative research summaries, strategy outlines and detailed analytics.  Teams are able to participate in the fall or spring semesters with results being released in the summer after all entries are reviewed.

"Opportunities like the ECHO Challenge are a great way to introduce students to projects in the workplace," Reichert said.  "Any chance to apply classroom lessons to real world situations is extremely beneficial to students, both on a experience and growth level."

Congratulations to the 2012 ECHO Challenge Medalists:

Gold
Students: Jessica Berresse, Clayton Cousens, Caroline McConnell, Jessilyn Stoks
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Griffith

Silver
Students: Baily Davis, Caroline Eddleman, Morgan Masey, Julianna Simonini
Faculty Advisor: Cindy Reynolds

Bronze
Students: Nicole Brabender, Ariel Fenster, Melissa Jackson, Thuong Le
Faculty Advisor: Jooyoung Kim