C.T. Bauer College of Business recently scored third-place in Google’s Online Marketing Challenge this year. Thanks to the work of graduate students Aigul Aubakirova, Neil Gustafson, Matt Avery and R. Jason Griffin, their partner organization- the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra- will receive a $5,000 donation from Google.
The team representing Bauer were students of Professor Steven Koch, a faculty member with proven success in coaching students for the challenge. This year additional assistance was offered to the students by University of Houston alumna Anita Perez, vice president and co-founder of TopSpot, an internet-marketing firm based out of Houston.
The Google Online Marketing Challenge has engaged over 100,000 students and professors since 2008, with submissions from over 100 countries. The competition involves creating marketing campaigns for actual clients with Google applications such as AdWords and Googe+. Competititors were given three weeks and a budget of $250.
Bauer is no stranger to this competition, with Bauer students becoming the competition’s Global Champion’s, winning over 4,000 teams. A Bauer team also won the Americas region in 2013.
Team member R. Jason Griffin teamed with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra to help the organization improve their internet presence and increase web activity. With the team’s strategy, the orchestra witnessed an 11% increase in revenue, with more ad views generating a higher number of actual sales. “…[B]y using an online-marketing strategy, these guys were able to increase their revenues, increase their customer base, (and connect with) people who will come back for more. So when you look at any entrepreneurial venture, that’s an applicable lesson. I think that’s what I got out of it,” says Griffin.
Another team of Bauer undergraduates took part in the competition, finishing in the Top 10 of the Social Impact category for their work with the Pujols Family Foundation.