1. For Immediate Release
Advertising Team Among Top Eight Finalists at
National Student Advertising Competition in California
Annual Competition for Teams of College Students Hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF)
(St. Louis, Mo. – June 8, 2016): Webster University School of Communications students recently presented
their advertising campaign at the AAF National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) in Anaheim,
California. The advertising team was among eight finalists to present at nationals.
Every year, more than 200 teams of college students from across the country act as advertising agencies to
develop a cohesive marketing campaign for a large national client. Sponsored by the American Advertising
Federation, the 2016 client was Snapple®.
The students spent months researching the product, understanding its competition, identifying potential
problems, and creating an integrated communications campaign for the client. The team then pitched their
campaign to judges at the regional competition (district 9) in Kansas City, Missouri where they received 1st
place. The Webster University team won an additional semi-final competition round and advancement to the
national competition.
At nationals, each team presented their work to a panel of senior Snapple® brand and agency executives.
Webster University joined eight finalists from across the US, including the University of Virginia, University of
California Berkeley, Ringling College of Art and Design, George Washington University, and Saint John’s
University.
“It was tremendously exciting to be among the top eight schools in the country to present and to hear industry
professionals complement our team’s hard work,” said Julie Clark, SOC faculty member and a team coach.
“The students brought home incredible industry experience and networking contacts, as well as excitement and
passion for their future careers. The learnings gained in this experience will follow our students for the rest of
their lives.”
Team members are Courtney Baker, Elizabeth Brown, Adrianna Carochi, Jack Eschmann, Jessica Haar, Megan
Keegan, Jenna Keith, Evan Marsters, Melissa Mercille, Ashley Mess, Patrick Montes de Oca, Benjamin Myers,
Ricardo Ortiz Aguilar, Tamarah Patterson, Harsha Paul, Ashley Prichard, and Zachary Selby.
Advertising and marketing communications faculty for the course and advisors to the team are Webster alumni
Julie Clark, creative director at Momentum Worldwide, and Michael Whitmer, executive director of
communications and development for Farm Journal Foundation. Communications faculty members providing
support are Kristen DiFate, Sally Howald and Terry Sullivan.
-more-

2. About the School of Communications
The School of Communications at Webster University prepares students to excel as skilled professionals in the
global field of communications. The school provides theory and practice in media courses framed within a
liberal arts-based curriculum, augmented by personalized mentorship, and professional development
opportunities. Sixteen distinct majors are available at the undergraduate level and master’s degrees in six
diverse fields of communications. The school’s degree programs are offered on Webster campuses in Geneva,
Vienna, Athens, Leiden, Thailand, and Ghana, as well as in St. Louis and online.
About Webster University
With its home campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Webster University (www.webster.edu) comprises an
action-oriented global network of faculty, staff, students and alumni who forge powerful bonds with each other
and with their communities around the globe. Founded in 1915, Webster is a private non-profit university with
more than 17,000 students studying at campus locations in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa and in a
robust learning environment online. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences
that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.
Team Photo
Media Contact: Lauren Ross, Lents & Associates, 314.968.3060, lross@lentsandassoc.com