The Apprentice Challenge - Game On for our Business Students!

Our third level undergraduate students in the marketing track are now competing in the Apprentice Challenge. The competition, designed by Dr. Ana Cruz, aims to enhance the learning experience in the module ‘Integrated Marketing Communications (ICM)’. The competition is inspired by the popular BBC’s TV show “The Apprentice” where a number of ambitious professionals compete in groups and then individually for a top managerial position.

What is it?
The IMC Apprentice challenge includes a number of specific group challenges, exercises and workshops carefully designed to support students to better understand and apply basic functions of integrated marketing communications. The challenge as a whole is a competition where the wining group will receive a highly desirable award.
Through group work - critical to the success of any Marketing and Communications Manager - the application of theory in practice and healthy competition, the Apprentice challenge aims to motivate students to come prepared to class and to facilitate critically linking theory and practice in real life business cases.

Will it enhance employability?
Yes, to some extent. An added benefit will be that at the end of the semester the students will have a professional portfolio that they can present to potential employers in interviews.

Congratulations to the weekly challenge winners:

Week 1-challenge: Communication strategy during crisis
This was a surprise challenge. Students prepared two papers beforehand relating to recalling products and saving brands in the face of crisis. In class they had to manage and develop the communications strategy for a well-known business crisis.

Team: Challenge!
Team members: Semina Michailidou, Voskopoulos Rafail, Sonja Bulajic
Their use of theory and insights from the papers supported them in putting together a sound strategy and a coherent message.

Week 2-The packaging that sells: from theory to practice (Critically analyzing packaging).
Competition in week two was tough so we had two deserving winners.

Team: Ane
Team members: Elefteria Kyrkou, Anna Koupourtidou and Marianthi Markaki.
Their critical analysis and keeping the target audience at the heart of the analysis made them a deserving winner. The team successfully analyzed the bottle of Versace Cristal Noir perfume.

Team: Midnight Jackets.
Team members: Nina Kostantinidou, Milos Ilic and Petros Skordas,
Their analytical and creative presentation of Lady Gaga’s perfume packaging stole the show.

Week 3-Images that communicate business messages.
A twist to the speaking metaphorically project. Students were required to take three pictures that communicate business messages. One of the pictures had to feature the team and communicate their essence. Do you want to find out what team won this challenge? Watch the space……