Okanagan College Media Release

Save a company from a recession and a new competitor in less than one day; that was the challenge given to nine teams of marketing students from across Canada at the Intercollegiate Marketing Competition (IMC) hosted by Simon Fraser University on Mar. 7, 2009.

Asia Snook, Steve Hoffart and Paige Schoenfeld

The team of Steve Hoffart, Paige Schoenfeld and Asia Snook from the Okanagan School of Business best answered the challenge to win the top spot in the competition when they delivered a comprehensive marketing plan and presentation to REV Entertainment of Vancouver.

The company, faced with a recession and a new competitor opening its doors just 10 blocks away, offered competing students the opportunity to devise a plan to cope with the challenges and come up with the best big idea for success.

Competitors received the business case first thing in the morning and had three hours to put together a marketing strategy. Each team was given 20 minutes to present a Power Point to judges, followed by 10 minutes of questioning. One of Okanagan College’s two teams advanced to the finals to compete against other finalists from UBC and BCIT.

Hoffart, Schoenfeld and Snook presented their ideas to a panel of eight judges before participating in a lightning question round where teams were asked what they would do if their original plan failed. The Okanagan School of Business finished in first place, followed by UBC and BCIT. Other teams participating in the challenge included Simon Fraser University and the University of Toronto.

“It tested our abilities to work in a team environment and apply all of our knowledge and skills to real life,” said Schoenfeld. “I have never been so proud of myself and our school in our accomplishments. I now feel like I am accomplishing my goals in life to be successful and I am ready for any of the challenges in my future.”

After hearing the presentations, the owners of REV gained significant insight into to what they could do to address the challenges before them.

“Competing in the IMC for the Okanagan School of Business was a truly remarkable experience that will go down in my history books,” said Snook. “It was amazing to see my education at work and witness what I was capable of. I strongly encourage every student to not only possess the desire to compete, but to push themselves to see what they can accomplish.”

Rick Appleby, marketing professor for the Okanagan School of Business, recent co-author of a new text on marketing (MKTG) coach of the Okanagan College teams stated “Both teams did outstanding jobs. The team of third and fourth-year students certainly set the bar for the others to aspire to. Although our second team of Katie Hoffman, Sang-lee Cordick,  and Robert Morris (second and third-year students) did not advance in their tier to the finals, they also delivered an excellent plan and presentation. They are determined to come back next year and show that they have what it takes to be among the best young marketers in the country.”