Canisius AMA Chapter Wins Four International Awards

April 3, 2012
BUFFALO, NY – The Canisius University Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) received four international awards during the AMA’s International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, LA. The theme of this year’s conference was “Marketing: Always Evolving.” The Canisius AMA Chapter is one of nearly 300 student chapters nationwide. Sixteen members of the Canisius chapter attended the International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans with faculty advisor Gregory R. Wood, PhD, chair of marketing and information systems. 

The Canisius Chapter received first place in the Student Choice Category for the Exhibit Competition. The chapter competed against 40 other international schools in this category and was selected as the winner by a judging panel of approximately 1,400 students who attended the conference. The challenge in this category was for students to create a booth that demonstrated how marketing is always evolving. Canisius students featured its chapter sponsor, Coca-Cola, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Students developed a timeline of the Coca Cola brand, which illustrated the evolution of its marketing and communication tactics over time: Early outdoor advertising evolved into print and then television and radio ads. Coca-Cola currently uses a fairly sophisticated social media and digital advertising strategy. 

To encourage engagement with the 1,400 student judges attending the conference, Canisius students invited attendees to dress up in costumes that represented fashions from previous eras (60s, 70s, 80s). Canisius students took digital and Polaroid pictures. They gave the Polaroids to attendees with a reminder to vote for the Canisius exhibit. They posted the digital photos on Facebook and invited participants to visit the chapter’s Facebook page and vote on their favorite photo. The participant whose picture received the most “likes” won a prize. 

The Canisius chapter of the AMA also received three additional awards based on its activities and involvement throughout the year. The AMA recognized Canisius students with its Outstanding Chapter Planning Award, Outstanding Membership Award and Outstanding Communications Award. 

The American Marketing Association is the largest marketing association in North America. It is a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing.

Canisius University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.