The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation announced the winners of the 2003 Collegiate Echo Competition yesterday.
The direct marketing campaign contest, sponsored by Mazda North American Operations and conducted by the DMEF, took place during the fall 2002 and spring 2003 semesters. It attracted more than 230 entries from undergraduate and graduate colleges nationwide.
The Gold winners are an undergraduate team from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, and a graduate-student team from Baruch College of the City University of New York, New York, NY.
Undergraduate teams from Western Michigan University took Silver and Bronze awards. In addition, another graduate-student team from Baruch College won a Silver trophy.
Their challenge was to develop a direct marketing plan to increase sales, leases, and market penetration for Mazda's Protege 5. E-mail and print advertising were required among the media used; direct mail was optional.
Past sponsors during the 19 years of the Collegiate Echo competition have included Bank One, BMG Direct, Ford Motor Company, Hallmark Cards, Pitney Bowes, Publishers' Clearing House, the U.S. Postal Service, and Upjohn.
The Gold-winning team from Christopher Newport University will receive its trophy Oct. 12 at The DMA International Echo Awards ceremony held during the DMA's 86th Annual Convention & Exhibition in Orlando, FL. The prize includes transportation to, accommodations and attendance at the DMA convention. Only Undergraduate teams are eligible for prizes other than trophies.
