A team of eight Ball State University public relations students won second place in a 40-team national case study competition and earned $1,500.
Samantha Adamczewski, Alexandra Garritano, Ashley Keebler, and Jennifer Regnier, as well as four other students competed in the Arthur Page Society Case Study Competition.
The competition was held by the Arthur Page Society, one of the top organizations for corporate public relations, Robert Pritchard, associate professor of journalism and the team's faculty adviser, said.
This was the first year Ball State students participated in the event since its birth in 2001.
"We were all ecstatic when I got an e-mail saying that our team got second place," Pritchard said. "I let out a 'whoop' and we did some Snoopy dancing."
The group came together early in the fall and submitted its case study a few days before the Jan. 5 deadline. It chose to represent Gardasil, a vaccine that helps protect against four types of human papillomavirus.
The team had two objectives. First, it researched the communication strategies of Merck & Co., of which Gardasil is a trademark. Second, it conducted an analysis and application of the seven Page principles. These standards of public relations management illustrate how a company can present itself and its product in the most professional manner possible.
Graduate student Danya Pysh said it was a privilege to work with this group.
"Mr. Pritchard asked a couple of us from Cardinal Communications if we wanted to take part in the project," Pysh said. "I've participated in large-scale team projects before, but no competitions of this magnitude. It was kind of mind-boggling that we achieved second place among all those other prestigious schools."
Hillary Tribbett responded differently.
"Honestly, it wasn't a surprise," Tribbett said. "The hard work was immense, and everyone brought their own angle to the project."
The team decided to divide the winnings among themselves, Pysh said.
Pritchard said he took his advising role seriously.
"I helped guide their conversation and discovery," Pritchard said. "But they earned it on their own."
A banquet for first place recipients in each category was held on April 2 in New York City.
"We'll go to the banquet next time," Pritchard said with a smile. "It was a great learning experience."
Team members: Samantha Adamczewski, Alexandra Garritano, Ashley Keebler, Jennifer Regnier, Matthew Kelly, Danya Pysh, Chanel Richards and Hillary Tribbett
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