Last modified: Friday, October 13, 2006
IU Kelley School students star on mtvU's 'Quad Squads'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 16, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Four Kelley School of Business undergraduate students will compete against four University of Illinois rivals on a marketing/business challenge for a Fortune 500 company -- Microsoft -- on mtvU's Quad Squads series this fall.
The show will chronicle the team dynamics involved in competing and solving a business challenge, as well as offer both teams invaluable real world experience and national exposure on mtvU with the show being broadcast to 750 colleges and universities nationwide. In addition, the winning team will receive a cash and prize package worth over $15,000 and interview for an opportunity to intern in Microsoft's Online Services Group.
Camera and casting crews from mtvU came to the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington on Sept. 28 to screen and videotape prospective team members. The Kelley School team was selected and announced to students the following Monday and Tuesday. The team members, who all belong to the Global Sales Leadership Society at the Kelley School, include juniors Gregory Baumer, Courtney Bryant and Austin Piller, and senior Christie Cash.
The taping of the first of three episodes -- done on Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Columbia Club of Indianapolis -- was suspenseful for both teams, because the true nature of the marketing/business challenge and the company behind it was not revealed until then.
The students have been challenged to create a new marketing campaign for MSN's Windows Live Search (https://www.live.com) with the goal being to increase trial and usage of Windows Live Local Search. During future shows, teams will collaborate on a solution, launch a campaign and finally present their ideas to MSN executives.
Senior Christie Cash feels the Kelley team has a great chance of winning the challenge.
"Everything we've learned in our classes and experienced in extra curricular activities has prepared us for this challenge. Our professionalism and creativity will be our greatest assets; we intend to make the Kelley School of Business proud."
Kelley School Center for Global Sales Leadership Director Dick Canada supports his student team, its enthusiasm and high level of motivation.
"Any time that you can inspire, educate and motivate student minds -- particularly in the form of competition -- not only will the students win, but the higher education system in America can also claim victory."
Teams will compete for bragging rights and the honor of providing Microsoft with a winning product roll-out strategy. Each member of the winning team also will receive a laptop computer, an Xbox 360, an MP3 player with a free one-year music download subscription, and an all expenses paid trip to the sponsoring company for a job interview.
The first episode of Quad Squads will premiere Oct. 18 (Wednesday) on mtvU on IUTV, campus cable channel 33.
Daniel C. Smith, dean of the Kelley School, is excited about the event.
"This is a terrific opportunity for IU and the Kelley School to showcase the quality of our students on a national level," he said. "This is a serious case competition involving a real business problem faced by a world-class company -- Microsoft. It will be a great learning experience for the students, and the format will bring a level of fun and excitement to the event."
The second episode is scheduled to air Nov. 15, with the finale scheduled for Dec. 13.
MtvU is MTV's 24-hour college network available to more than seven million enrolled students on more than 750 campuses nationwide. Taped shows also can be viewed on demand on mtvU.com.
MtvU features a wide variety of student-produced shows including Fresh Produce and Student Shorts.
