Montana State Makes Finals in International Marketing Competition

MSU team one of 11 to present to competition sponsor Sheth Foundation

BOZEMAN, MT-- Feb. 16, 2024 -- For the sixth time in seven years students from Montana

State University have reached the finals of the American Marketing Association (AMA)

International Case Competition. The competition, held annually by the Chicago-based AMA, this

year was sponsored by The Sheth Foundation and challenged teams to develop a strategic

integrated marketing communications plan in support of creating a more sustainable future.

Seventy-six teams entered the competition, and the team from MSU was named one of 11

finalists.

“The AMA case competition isn't just about the destination, it's about the journey of relentless

dedication and teamwork. It's countless late nights brainstorming, collaborating, and refining

ideas,” said Kylie Nelson, a senior Marketing major from Spokane, Wash., and the project

manager for the team. “Each member of this team brings their unique perspective and expertise; I

am so grateful to be a part of this experience.”

The AMA Case Competition brings together top business and design students to work on a

marketing challenge submitted by a sponsoring organization. The case sponsor provides a

detailed marketing problem for which it seeks to gain the perspective of AMA’s best students,

who compete by developing a marketing strategy in a nationally recognized competition.

Students enrolled in BMKT 485-Applied Marketing Strategy spend the fall semester working on

the plan before submitting it to professional marketers to be judged. Finalists are announced

during the spring semester. Other finalists include:

• British Columbia Institute of Technology

• The George Washington University

• High Point University

• Temple University

• Texas Woman’s University

• University of Nevada – Las Vegas

• University of Pennsylvania

• University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras

• University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Students from the class will now develop a presentation in preparation for delivering it to judges

from The Sheth Foundation on Thursday, April 11 at the AMA’s International Collegiate

Conference in New Orleans. A dress rehearsal of the presentation is scheduled for Tuesday,

April 2 in Jabs Hall. Montana State won the competition in 2023.

The MSU team consists of: Quinn Barbisan, Marketing, Bozeman; Isabella Caputo, Marketing,

Bakersfield, Calif.; Deanna Dalton, Marketing, Billings; Annika Danenhauer, Graphic Design,

Bozeman; Brendan Henshaw, Marketing, Kalispell; Taylor Jones, Marketing, Eire Colo.; Sophie

Millington, Marketing, Bozeman; Nelson; Jessie Reitan, Graphic Design, Lake Tapps Wash.;

Emilie Rupprecht, Marketing, Rochester Minn.; Kylie Smith, Marketing, Spokane Wash.

“Witnessing our students’ tireless dedication and collaborative efforts culminate in their making

the finals in this difficult competition fills me with immense pride and excitement,” said Dr. Eric

Van Steenburg, the instructor for this course.

The American Marketing Association at Montana State is MSU’s student chapter of the AMA.

We prepare students for their professional careers through empowering experiences that develop

strong networks, personal growth, and ethical leadership with a community-oriented focus.

Membership in the AMA at MSU is open to all students of any major. For more information

about AMA at Montana State please visit the following site: http://www.amamontanastate.org