Commerce students Emily Dimytosh (left) and Elizabeth Harris created an integrated marketing communications strategy for the national launch of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The judges were impressed by the students' attention to detail and enthusiastic presentation style.

Students Emily Dimytosh and Elizabeth Harris credit Queen’s School of Business faculty and classmates for their recent success at a national business competition.

“The support we received was amazing. All of the professors we asked took time out of their schedules to help,” says Ms Dimytosh, who along with fellow fourth-year Commerce student Ms Harris placed second in the Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec competition. “Some of our classmates agreed to hear our presentation on a Sunday night with only the promise of Timbits.”

The students created an integrated marketing communications strategy for the national launch of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, drawing on the marketing expertise of associate professor Ken Wong and the extensive sales knowledge of associate professor John Pliniussen to revise their presentation. Lecturer Jim Hamilton connected them with advertising executives in Toronto and Rob Woyzbun, Director, Queen’s Business Consulting, suggested resources they could use to develop their media buying strategy.

“The competition was an invaluable opportunity to use the skills we have developed over the last four years and to show our professors that we could apply the material they taught us,” says Ms Harris.

Their highly-detailed strategy and their upbeat, creative presentation set them apart from many of the 10 finalists according to judges at their final presentation, including advertising executives from major corporations such as General Motors, Canadian Tire and McDonald’s.

Ms Dimytosh and Ms Harris made some great connections during their time in Toronto for the competition, which will help with future career prospects. Ms Harris, a co-chair of last year’s Queen’s Women in Leadership (QWIL) conference, also talked with a member of the Women of Influence organization. She is sharing that information with the incoming co-chairs of the QWIL conference for exploring possible partnerships with Women of Influence.

For more information about the competition, please visit the Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec website.