Students make presentations at national marketing Conference
Drs. Bas, Cao, Harrison, Howie, Wang, and Yaoyuneyong attended the 2021 Society for Marketing Advances Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida during the month of November. Two undergraduate honors students, Lauren Beverly and Sophie Unson, a current MBA student, Nichada Satasuk, and recent alumna, Lacey Wallace attended the conference as well. The group collectively participated in 16 presentations and panels while attending the conference, representing Southern Miss Business proudly! The Society for Marketing Advances (SMA) is a premier marketing association that brings together marketing educators and professionals from all over the world. SMA fosters service, research, and education in all phases of marketing and encourages the exchange of ideas among members with similar interests. During the conference, faculty had the opportunity to present and exchange ideas with individuals with shared interests while students were given the chance to experience what the conference was like and receive feedback on the research they are conducting. During their free time, the professors took the students to Disney Epcot to relax and enjoy some time off after a lot of hard work and a very busy trip. Below is a list of presentations/panels that Southern Miss Business marketing representatives participated in:
- Perceptions of Discrimination among Immigrant Customers During the Service Experience: Customer Well-Being and Attitudes Towards Services (A. Banu Elmadag, Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong, Mehmet Okan)
- Incorporating Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory in Marketing Education (Chris Croft, Wei Wang)
- Word-of-Mouth Valence and Willingness to Invest in Multilevel Marketing: The Moderating Role of Political Orientation (Rhiannon Mesler, Katharine Howie, Meghan Rennie)
- “Can you see it?” How one-for-one promotions increase imagery vividness, empathy, and brand intentions in cause-related marketing (Katharine Howie, Rhiannon Mesler, Jennifer Chern Chernishenko)
- Advertising Cross-Culturally: Ethnicity of the Model Matters in Multinational Advertisements (Kristina Harrison, Subhadip Roy)
- You Don't Belong: Exploring Luxury Branding Strategy (Lauren Beverly, Jamye Foster)
- Heath Message Framing and Effectiveness: Is Conservatism a Determinant? (Banu Bas, Berna Basar)
- Does Food Insecurity Lead to Less Healthy Food Choices? (Kristina Harrison, Ashley Thomas)
- Examining Consumer Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Event Industry Strategies During Global Pandemic - A Mixed Method Approach (Sophie Unson, Wei Wang)
- The Attitude-Behavior Gap Towards Sustainable Consumption in K-pop (Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong, Kimberly Goodwin, Joanne Cao, Nichada Satasuk)
- What do these Tweets mean for us? How analysis of consumer tweets sheds light on consumers CSR beliefs and firm confidence (Kristina Harrison, Lei Huang)
- Be True to You: How Firm Corporate Social Responsibility Signals Can Backfire (Kristina Harrison and Lei Huang)
- Discussion Board 2.0: Utilizing TikTok to Increase Student Engagement during Challenging Times (Joanne Cao, Lacey Wallace, Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong)
- PANEL: Being the Girl in the Room (Rebecca VanMeter, Katie Howie, Pia Albinsson, Joanne Cao, Dana Harrison, J. Charlene Davis)
- PANEL: Challenges as International Scholars in Ph.D. & Early Career (A. Banu Elmadag, Wei Wang, Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong, Ismail Karabas, Yana Andonova)
- PANEL: Global vs. Local Consumer Culture (Benjamin Garner, Kamlesh Tiwari, Kristina Harrison)
2021 Entrepreneur of the year
Successful restaurateur Ron Savell was recognized as the 2021 Boardman Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year by Southern Miss Business during the annual Golden Idea Pitch Competition. Savell is the owner and founder of Mugshots Grill & Bar and Patio 44. Savell has made a tremendous impact on the city of Hattiesburg since he began calling it home more than 25 years ago. With close to 18 years of invaluable restaurant ownership experience, he has been able to expand his once small investment in a Hattiesburg dive bar into 23 successful restaurant locations.
“We are so happy to honor Ron as the Southern Miss Business 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year. Ron is not only a worthy recipient because of his successful business endeavors, but he is a great example of a successful entrepreneur that gives back to his community and university in order to make them better. He epitomizes the qualities we look for in this award and we are proud to celebrate Ron’s success and contributions,” said Dr. Bret Becton, Dean of USM’s College of Business and Economic Development.
Golden Idea Pitch Competition
The Southern Miss Business Golden Idea Pitch Competition culminated with a live finale on Thursday, Nov. 11th. The competition began with 44 submissions involving 76 students who represented every college on campus and more than 20 different degree programs. After three rounds of difficult deliberation and elimination, the top 10 finalists were selected to pitch their unique idea in person at the finale, hosted on the Hattiesburg campus.
The first-place concept was presented by Yeseul Bae, a freshman biological sciences major from Busan, South Korea. Yeseul’s idea proposed a marketplace for matching potential volunteers with those who need specific assistance. Her proposal was inspired by personal experiences as a first-year international student, including a lengthy trek across town once to visit a bank. The first-place winner walked away with the $1,000 cash prize.
Kamsi Ben-Chiobi, a senior computer engineering major from Nigeria, took second place and a $500 cash prize. Kamsi proposed a solution to help fill a perceived gap in campus safety. His solution, a mobile app, would provide the campus community with a means to discreetly contact and be traced by Campus Police in the case of an emergency situation.
Third place and a $250 cash prize were awarded to Quinn Gordon, a senior marketing major from Brandon, Miss. Quinn’s proposal dubbed her “passion project,” would establish a home health care company designed to extend the best service to those who are often unable to afford it due to insurance limitations.
The annual Golden Idea Pitch Competition provides a platform for budding entrepreneurs to get professional feedback on their big idea before pitching it to a panel of expert judges while competing for more than $2,000 in total cash prizes. Open to students of all majors, the competition is hosted each November during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
“We took a different approach to the competition this year,” said James Wilcox, Director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurship Education. “The past two years have shown us that while there is a huge need for this student showcase, we needed to break down the typical ‘barriers to entry’ across campus. We doubled down on the concept that this is an idea competition–not a business competition. So, no business plans. No financials. Instead, students were encouraged to find a problem, to identify the people affected by it, and to pitch a potential solution. Business models can come later.”
The competition consisted of 4 rounds, including written submissions, one-on-one interviews with faculty, video pitches, and the live finale. For the final round, the top 10 teams each had three minutes to pitch their idea followed by Q&A from the judges.
“In only its third year, the Golden Idea Pitch Competition has become a ‘must see’ event for the campus and Pine Belt community,” said Dr. Bret Becton, Dean of the College of Business and Economic Development. “I am proud of the efforts the business school has made to enhance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and all of the students did an amazing job of pitching their ideas.”
students soaring to success
acceptance to ncur 2022
Lauren Beverly's research presentation, "You Don't Belong: Exploring Luxury Branding Strategy", has been accepted to the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) which will take place April 4-8, 2022. Her submission underwent a rigorous review by experts in her discipline before it was selected and she will have the opportunity to present her work to peers, faculty, and staff from all over the nation. Lauren is only the second student from the USM College of Business and Economic Development to receive this national recognition with NCUR, Lacey Wallace being the first just last year.
Lauren is a senior marketing major from Montgomery, Alabama. She shared that she chose to attend USM because of the resources and faculty in the College of Business and Economic Development. During her time at Southern Miss, she has been involved in Delta Gamma sorority, Eagle Connection, Southern Style, Order of Omega, Student Government Association and has held multiple leadership positions within these organizations. She also participated in the Spanish in Spain study abroad program, which she describes as one of her favorite experiences while in college.
As a Discovery Scholar within the Honors College, Lauren is currently conducting her thesis research under the advisement of Dr. Jamye Foster, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education and Director of the School of Marketing.
Lauren also serves as the Market Research Intern at Claiborne Senior Living. In the future, she plans to continue her education and expand upon her thesis research while earning her MBA at Southern Miss next fall. After completing her master's degree, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior.
Interning with Goldman sachs
Congratulations to Shawn Moore who will be interning with Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs. Shawn is a junior accounting major from Ocean Springs, Miss., and will begin his 8-10 week internship with the investment banking company next summer. He will be working in the Controllers Division at the Goldman Sachs Dallas, Texas office before returning for his senior year at USM.
He commended visiting accounting instructor Julia Bradley for her mentorship during the process. He also credits Dr. Sabine Heinhorst, Interim Dean of USM’s Honors College, for helping him believe the Goldman Sachs internship was possible.
Moore got a taste of investing and entrepreneurship during his time at Ocean Springs High School, where he was enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. He started his first e-commerce store at the age of 14, importing products from other countries such as China which he would brand, then sell in the United States. He also created various other online businesses during high school.
Moore came to USM on an academic excellence scholarship, a Woodmen Life Scholarship, and as an Honors Scholar. He currently holds a 3.56 GPA. When the Goldman Sachs internship opportunity came across his radar, Moore leaped at the chance to apply.
“I have always had a go-big mindset, so I knew I wanted to gain experience working for a major company,” he said. “Goldman Sachs has always been a staple of Wall Street, and I wanted to be where the action is, which made me eager to apply.”
Moore said he hopes to gain a better understanding of Wall Street and build connections that could lead to long-term relationships during his time in Dallas.
Attending duke school of law
Southern Miss Business alumnus, Cole Engle, is in the process of completing his first semester at Duke School of Law! Cole is from Monroe, CT and graduated with his undergraduate degree in accounting from Southern Miss in 2021. We wish Cole the best during his finals and throughout the rest of his law school journey!
sport management students partner with ncs4
The University of Southern Mississippi’s Sport Management program has collaborated with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) in an experiential learning project during the fall 2021 semester. The project included the undergraduate Introduction to Sport Marketing class working with NCS4 staff to develop a marketing plan for the sport security center.
Dr. Stacey Hall, NCS4 Executive Director and Professor of Sport Management, and Daniel Ward, Director of Training and Exercise, visited with the class early in the semester to introduce the students to NCS4, its background, and mission. The students worked in small groups throughout the semester to develop a proposed marketing plan.
Various marketing plan components included SWOT analysis, market analysis, buying cycle, marketing strategy, and social media categories. All student group information was formally presented to NCS4 staff for evaluation and possible consideration for implementation at the end of the semester.
“We are grateful for Dr. Hall and NCS4 staff in approaching us about the opportunity to work with their sport security center on creating marketing plan ideas. It was an outstanding opportunity for our students to learn about NCS4 on our campus and their impact on sport security both internationally and nationally,” said Dr. Chris Croft, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, and class instructor.
Hall stated, “It was a pleasure working with Dr. Croft and his sport marketing students to develop marketing strategies for the NCS4. The students displayed a lot of passion and creativity, and we walked away with some great ideas for building brand awareness. The NCS4 intends to continue collaborating with academic units on campus for various projects.”
Established in 2006, the NCS4 is the United States' only academic center devoted to the study and practice of spectator sports safety and security. The NCS4 mission supports the sports and entertainment industries through training and educational programs, research, and outreach activities. The NCS4 collaborates with sports leagues and governing bodies, facility and event managers, professional associations, private sector firms, and government agencies. It is a critical resource for sport venue managers, event managers, first responders, and other key stakeholders.
The University of Southern Mississippi and NCS4 currently offer graduate-level sport security classes that are connected to both the Master’s in Sport Management and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs to offer an emphasis in sport security management. Additionally, a Graduate Certificate in Sport Security Management is offered.
National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship
Four Southern Miss Business students recently completed the virtual first round of the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, a top sports sales conference. Sport management students selected to participate included Jerica Galloway, Sam Stiglmair, Enzo Ferreira, and Chipper Baudry. In February 2022, the four students will travel to the annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference will include additional sales competitions, guest speakers, networking opportunities, and the chance to watch the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Hundreds of students from schools around the country participate in the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship to make the jump from college to the pros. The NCSSC is an opportunity for students to showcase sports sales skills in a competitive format. Recruiters serve as buyers in a role-play competition while students pitch a product. A judge scores their performance based on a rubric, and students advance in the bracket while turning the heads of more recruiters!
Guest lecture in Social Media Marketing class
Amanda Bergman, a successful social media content creator, recently guest lectured in Dr. Katie Howie's MKT 478: Social Media Marketing class. Amanda is a lifestyle blogger with more than 27K followers on her Instagram page. While talking to the students, Amanda shared details of her career journey, such as building her followers, choosing brand partners, and the responsibilities of having a platform. The students connected with her excitement for fitness, food, and finding great products. Thank you, Amanda, for spending time with our future marketing leaders!
Class Notes
- JONATHAN RUFFIN '17 began working with NCS4 at Southern Miss as a Training Manager in September 2021. After having worked facilities and event management in collegiate athletics for several years, he shared that he is happy to lend his experiences and knowledge to further the goals of NCS4. In this new role, Jonathan coordinates with TEEX/DHS/FEMA to deliver various Sport/Special Event Safety and Security training courses to universities, professional leagues, special event organizations, and city jurisdictions across the country.
- RACHEL HEWITT '02 has an entrepreneurial spirit that has led her to be a thriving business owner. She has been a successful, independent insurance executive for the last 23 years. She also owns and operates 8 real estate investment companies with several properties in the Hattiesburg area. In addition to her existing ventures, her newest business is an apparel and home goods design company. She shared, "I am proud to be a Hattiesburger. And I'm proud to be a Southern Miss alum."
- TYLER JACOBS '21 received a job with Andy Frain Services working in the National Events Division, allowing him to travel to and work major events such as the CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin, the Tennis Open in New York, and The FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Cincinnati. Currently, he is working in Dallas, Texas helping manage security services in the AT&T Stadium, Dickies Arena, and some of nearby accounts.
- MADELON ALLEN '20 took a job at Baylor University in their Athletics Communications department as Associate Director of Athletics Communications. She is the primary contact for the women's volleyball, men's tennis, and acrobatics & tumbling teams for the Bears. She also serves as a contact for the Baylor Bears website and a secondary contact for the women's basketball team. She shared that she is excited to be back in her home state of Texas and just became a first time homeowner! (far left of photo)
- DAVID COHEN '19 took a position in June 2021 at the University of Cincinnati as the Director of Strategic Brand Engagement in their athletics department after a five-year run with Southern Miss Athletics.
- RACHEL BRONSON '20 took a position with Tickets for Less in Kansas City, Missouri, and was recently promoted to Manager of Sales and Service overseeing their retail division. She shared that she currently works in coordination of their VIP experience tickets with the Kansas City Chiefs. (far left of photo)
- PATRICK STEWART '97 retired as Assistant Athletic Director for Equipment Operations from Southern Miss after 24 years of service. He has since taken a job with Red Stick Sports selling the same sporting goods he once purchased as part of his job at USM.
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