Bellevue University MBA students recognized for marketing plans
Four Bellevue University MBA students were recognized during the annual awards luncheon by the Omaha Chapter of the American Marketing Association held April 20 in downtown Omaha.
Tammy Coleman received a Pinnacle Award and a perfect score in the Student, Not-for-profit category, for her marketing plan for Brush Up Nebraska. "Brush Up serves low-income elderly or disabled residents who would not otherwise be able to maintain the appearance of their homes", Pinnacle Award winner Coleman said.
Coleman, a Director of Communications first got involved with the organization when she joined her current organization 14 years ago. Because volunteer painter and corporate donor numbers have fallen in recent years, fewer homeowners were being served. Coleman's marketing plan was designed to increase public awareness of the organization, including improving the content and appearance of its website and promotional materials. Her second goal was to broaden and strengthen the organization's board of directors to include new perspectives, experience and capabilities that could benefit the organization's mission.
Three students, Christina Donovan, Dane Embury, and Jessica Adams, received the Platinum Citation of Excellence for their marketing plans in the Student, Small Business category.
Donovan received a Platinum Citation for her marketing plan for Slusky Mediation, LLC. Donovan earned a B.S. in Management of Human Resources degree from the University in 2006, and when she began her MBA program, she was employed by the Smith, Gardner, Slusky law firm. She worked closely with attorney Jerry Slusky and Liz Vokal, the firm's mediation coordinator, to design the plan. "Mr. Slusky had a separate practice from the firm, Slusky Mediation. When I described the assigned project to him, he jumped at the opportunity to receive a 'free' marketing plan designed specifically for his area of expertise," Donovan said.
AMA Platinum Citations also went to University students Dane Embury of Texas, for his marketing plan for The Maple Leaf Pub, and Jessica Adams of Utah, for her marketing plan for And Eat It Too restaurant.
The plans created exemplify the Real Learning for Real Life focus of the University. All the students who participate take away a tangible example of their work, which they can present to current or potential employers. The benefit goes beyond the students and into their communities, as each year hundreds of small businesses receive these plans at no cost.
