A team of MBA students from Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Business has won third place in the prestigious annual Marketing Research Competition (MRC) – a national contest that challenges graduate students to apply real-world marketing research skills to solve business problems.
The SCSU team, composed of Emily Galer, Evan Champagne, and Robert Zapor, competed against other top-tier business programs by tackling a real-world case study provided by Nestlé Purina. The challenge required teams to develop a framework for how Purina brands can successfully build consumer engagement and influence younger generations in today’s digital landscape.
“I encouraged my graduate-level students to participate in this contest to apply real-world learning from their MBA Consumer Behavior class,” said Amit Singh, associate professor of marketing and director of student advancement in Southern’s School of Business. “Our teams competed against universities nationwide, designing surveys, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting their findings to deliver actionable recommendations.”
The SCSU team’s outstanding performance earned them a spot in the finalist round. Their strategic approach, innovative ideas, and polished presentation secured the third-place prize and a $500 award.
Teams from New York University (NYU) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) claimed the first and second spots, respectively.
“Being recognized alongside students from renowned programs like NYU and UNC-Chapel Hill is an incredible achievement for Professor Singh and our hard-working MBA students,” said Jess Boronico, dean of Southern’s School of Business. “We know the strength of our programs, but this work highlights our presence on both the regional and national stage.”
For more information about the SCSU School of Business and its programs, visit www.southernct.edu/business.
