OCMC experience about more than just the awards ceremony

STORY BY JESSICA BEAULIEU
PHOTOS BY SUNAYNNA VENKATESH

Sheridan’s best marketing and advertising students gathered last weekend in Windsor for the biggest competitive event in the college marketing world.

Second-year advertising and marketing student Sunaynna Venkatesh described the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition (OCMC) as bittersweet.

Colleges from across the province gathered at Windsor’s St. Clair Centre for the Arts Nov. 21^–22 to showcase their marketing skills to industry experts and compete for the first place finish.

“It was an amazing experience, just having the chance to represent Sheridan College was great, and to meet so many marketing students from different colleges was amazing,” she said. “But unfortunately, we didn’t win.”

The team placed in five events in total, bringing them to a fourth place finish overall.

The Quizbowl event team finished especially strong; placing first, second and fourth.

The winning Quizbowl team. From left to right – Javeria Aleem (4th place), Milos Milisinovic, Victoria Hoang (2nd place), Coach Lorraine Kay, Shanno Crisp (1st place) and Coach Annie Tarzi.

“Fourth out of 13 colleges is still pretty amazing,” said Venkatesh. But hopes had been high for the 2013 team, as they were looking to defend the gold medal title Sheridan secured last year.

Students from St. Lawrence College were crowned this year’s victors, but for Sheridan students the event had other highlights besides the awards ceremony.

“It was an incredible weekend, the students couldn’t thank us enough for the experience,” said advertising professor and Sheridan coach Annie Tarzi. “Even management was there.”

Both students and staff stressed how uniting the event was for those who participated.

“Obviously it’s a really great thing to put on a resume, but the other thing is the whole team aspect,” said third-year business administration and marketing student Kelly Nelson. “It’s not a waste of time, even if you don’t walk away with a trophy.”

Venkatesh echoed this sentiment. “I’m an international student so I’m away from my family right now and OCMC really makes you feel like you’re a part of a great big family,” she said.

Those who will be returning next year are already looking forward to the event.

“We did our best, I don’t think there was anything lacking on our part,” said Venkatesh. “I’m definitely trying out again, the experience was just amazing.”

Recruiting for the 2014 team begins at the end of February.