Annual Competition Highlights Marketing Skills of PA College Students
A team of Rosemont College students has advanced to the final round of the America 250 PA Direct Effect™ Innovation Challenge DEIC 2024, a statewide competition celebrating innovation and civic engagement in marketing.
Representing Rosemont for the sixth consecutive year, students Gianna Diruggieri, Thomas George, Caitlin Lagreca, and Ryan McDonough, with advisor Christine Hagedorn, have developed a campaign aligned with this year’s theme, “Powering the Future.”
The DEIC is a three-round marketing challenge that provides students from post-secondary institutions across the Commonwealth with the opportunity to design and pitch integrated marketing campaigns for America250PA, the state commission responsible for planning Pennsylvania’s semiquincentennial.
Powering the Future
Supported by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the 2024 challenge invited students to create integrated marketing campaigns that promote solar energy as part of the PA Turnpike’s sustainability initiatives. The Rosemont team crafted their project to encourage interest in sustainable transportation while helping the Turnpike reach its goal of becoming America’s first sustainable superhighway by 2040.
Reflecting on the experience, Hagedorn highlighted the value of hands-on learning.
“Students gain interdisciplinary skills, from collaboration to public speaking, and get the rare opportunity to design a marketing campaign for a real client,” said Hagedorn. “The learning that our students get from the experience spans so many disciplines, and we are grateful for this experiential learning opportunity.”
Thomas George and Gianna Diruggieri emphasized how the project has sharpened their teamwork and marketing skills, preparing them for post-graduation careers.
“What I am enjoying most about this experience is collaborating with my fellow classmates and developing a plan that could ultimately make a huge impact on my community, as we are making an integrated marketing strategy for the PA turnpike to become self-sufficient by the year 2040,” said George, a senior business management major. “I have learned about teamwork and collaboration, as well as critical thinking with others and understanding and applying diverse perspectives to achieve our goals.”
Gianna Diruggieri, a senior communication major with a minor in marketing, echoes that sentiment.
“I am enjoying being able to work with a team,” said Diruggieri. “This experience is preparing me for the work environment because after I graduate, I want to help promote businesses and this competition is helping me learn different strategies that I will be able to apply in my future.”
Final Round
On November 15, the Rosemont team will present their campaign to a panel of judges at the Capitol Media Center in Harrisburg, competing against four other finalists.
“The trip to Harrisburg is an incredible opportunity,” said Hagedorn. “Presenting in the governor’s press room, meeting Congressional representatives, and connecting with business leaders offers invaluable experience. Our students gain skills in collaboration, public speaking, and applying marketing principles they’ve learned in class. Rosemont’s team proudly represents the college’s values and achievements.”
Join America250PA across their social channels as Rosemont and the other finalists pitch their ideas live from Harrisburg on Friday, November 15!
