RS
Robeska Sanchez
  • Plainfield, IL

Robeska Sanchez of Plainfield Wins National Market Research Competition

2013 Mar 26

A team of four Aurora University marketing students, including Robeska Sanchez of Plainfield, won GfK's second annual Next Generation Market Research Competition, a contest designed to give undergraduate student researchers a chance to test their marketing knowledge by creating a research project that addresses a critical issue weighing on marketers' minds. The team was advised by Dr. Brian Vander Schee, Associate Professor of Marketing.

The study, "Exploring Uncharted Territories: Addressing the Emerging Hispanic Market," studied media and messages directed at the Hispanic audience. As part of the project, the students interviewed local Hispanic business leaders and conducted research among Hispanic consumers. The group presented their findings on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) Great Mind Awards ceremony in New York City.

"I am so proud of the students," said Vander Schee. "The magnitude of the research in terms of time and effort was significant. The fact that their academic achievement was recognized by winning a national competition was just outstanding."

Significant findings from the study include that acculturated Hispanics are more likely to spend time online and prefer promotional messages in English, while unacculturated Hispanics are more likely to spend time watching television and prefer Spanish language promotional messaging.

In addition to a trip to New York, GfK presented the team with Next Generation awards and a $1,000 prize.

About Aurora University

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning, annually educating more than 4,300 degree-seeking students at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, Ill., AU offers programs online, at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and at the Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Ill. Learn more at aurora.edu.