Rosemont College marketing students will once again showcase their skills on a national stage as they compete in the Direct Effect Marketing Madness Challenge 2025. The United States Postal Service (USPS) hosts the annual competition that offers students the opportunity to develop and execute innovative marketing strategies in a real-world setting. 

The month-long virtual challenge brings together students from colleges and universities across the country to test their marketing abilities, with a strong focus on direct mail marketing. Participants gain hands-on experience, engage in problem-solving exercises, and work on campaign development that reflects the latest industry trends. Through this competition, students also have the chance to earn industry-recognized micro-credentials, providing a valuable advantage as they prepare for careers in marketing and communications. 

Leading the Rosemont team are Ian Dolan and Brandon Peake, two students passionate about marketing and strategic communication.  

“I am looking forward to competing with other schools, and to working with the amazing community we have here at Rosemont,” said Brandon Peake, a marketing major and theology minor. “The objective for this project is to educate students while getting them certifications they can use in the future.” 

Under the guidance of Christine Hagedorn, faculty advisor and experienced marketing professional, the team will apply their knowledge and creativity to develop a compelling and results-driven marketing campaign. 

“We have participated in this competition for several consecutive years,” said Hagedorn. “Each year, we see remarkable outcomes for our Rosemont team leaders. I have observed that students surprise themselves with what they are able to accomplish when put in such a challenging leadership role. I love offering our students real-world experiential learning opportunities and remain so grateful to Direct Effect and USPS for providing this platform. The competition serves as a platform to highlight the talent and innovation that define Rosemont College students.” 

As the challenge unfolds, the Rosemont community looks forward to cheering on the team and celebrating their achievements. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and success in this exciting national competition!