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KALAMAZOO—A team of nine Western Michigan University advertising and promotion students have placed first in the EdVenture Partners’ Jobs for America’s Graduates Scholastic Achievement Award Challenge in Washington D.C.  

During the challenge, students were tasked with answering analytical questions from high-level executives regarding JAG’s brand positioning, communication strategies and other marketing tactics. JAG is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts and advocating for post-secondary education among at-risk youth. 

This year’s team included the following fall graduates:

• Jon Burns
• Ashleigh Cipta
• Aaron Coney
• Rachel Dudley
• Jenna Grodecki
• Paige Moyer
• Kristin Robarge
• Joe Taylor
• Becca Wilson

The students participated in the competition as a part of their fall 2012 capstone work for the Integrated Marketing Communications Campaigns course. They were advised by Dr. JoAnn Atkin.

“Our students are always well-prepared and deliver extraordinary presentations,” says Dr. Atkin. “Their hard work and dedication all semester long was rewarded by overwhelming positive feedback from the judges.”

 “We have had the honor of having Western Michigan University students develop marketing communication campaigns for our clients in the past, and their results always impress,” says Tony Sgro, founder and CEO of EdVenture Partners, a consultancy that develops industry-education partnerships on campuses in North America. “The 51������ team created a bold, integrated marketing campaign that will be used by JAG to generate additional awareness and support for its nationally based at-risk youth campaign.”

51������ has participated in the EdVenture Partners National Case Study Competitions since 2005, placing in the top 10 nationally each year.