Last spring, three teams of marketing students from Whitewater High swept the bi-annual Atlanta Hawks Marketing Competition, and this year another group competing in the 2015 fall event took third place.
Students Brian Reynolds, Thomas Cordier, Scott Jointer, Luke Mealer, and Jason Gordon took the third place win in the Social Media category, competing with students from 71 schools throughout Georgia and Alabama.
“This is a great accomplishment,” says marketing teacher Karen Stoll.
The Fall Sports Marketing Competition with the Atlanta Hawks took place Dec. 4 at Phillips Arena, the same day the Hawks played the Los Angeles Lakers. Students pitched their marketing ideas for the Atlanta Hawks Court of Dreams and School Spirit Night that will take place Feb. 5. The event gives boys’ and girls’ basketball teams the opportunity to play on the Hawks court prior to a Hawks game, and some middle and high schools use it as a fundraiser with $5 from each ticket going back to the school.
The students had to write the game announcement, determine the avenues that would be used to promote the event, and how they would maximize ticket sales for their school while creating a spirited atmosphere. They pitched their ideas to a panel of Hawks executives prior to the start of the Hawks game against the Lakers.
Winning teams were recognized on court during the game, and each also received a plaque.
The judges for the fall marketing event were Atlanta Hawks personnel including the manager of advertising and promotion, manager of corporate activation, manager of membership activation, and the assistant for school programs.
In addition to the competition, students also participated in the Sports Speaker Series, hearing presentations from Hawks vice presidents and directors in the areas of creative services, interactive marketing, and analytics.
Stoll not only enjoyed watching her students compete, but she also got to serve as co-captain of the game, and met Kobe Bryant, Mike Muscala, and Kent Bazemore.
