Prof. Theresa B. Clarke, JMU Marketing

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Google’s headquarters (a.k.a., the Googleplex) in Mountain View, California.  This trip was part of the award package associated with my JMU MKTG 490 students being named winners of the Americas Region in the 2011 Google Online Marketing Challenge.  On behalf of Larissa Cookson, Lindsay Keller, and Molly Shea, I wish to thank AJ Pascua and his colleagues for being such wonderful hosts.  Below are some of the photos from our extraordinary and memorable visit to the Googleplex.

Visiting Google's official location from Google Maps. Google Mountain View, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

Googlebikes are shared and scattered all around the Googleplex. Googlers use them for short trips around the complex in order to reduce the need for car trips during the day.

One of the many micro-kitchens spotted around the Googleplex. Googlers are never more than 150 feet away from drinks and snacks.

It's not all work at Google. Employees can take a rest on a beanbag, catch a nap in a sleeping pod, receive a massage, work out in one of the gyms, or play volleyball in the outdoor sand court.

The JMU team enjoyed a delicious lunch with some Googlers at one of their cafes.

Dr. Theresa B. Clarke and her 2011 Google Challenge Americas Regional Winners at the Googleplex.

Do you want to participate in the 2012 Google Online Marketing Challenge?  If so read the online challenge information for students and learn about the Challenge.  Check out the 2011 winners from JMU and the Google Online Marketing Challenge on Facebook to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

To participate in the 2011 challenge under the direction of Dr. Theresa B. Clarke, complete the MKTG 490 Application no later than October 26, by noon EST to apply for a spot in the Special Topics in Marketing course.

The MKTG 490 course can count as a marketing elective for both B2B and B2C marketing concentrators.

The class will meet on Fridays from 2:30p-5:30p during the spring semester.  Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance or rejection no later than November 1, 2012.

Larissa Cookson, Lindsay Keller (Team Captain), and Molly Shea. Americas Regional Winners of the 2011 Google Online Marketing Challenge

Congratulations to the James Madison University team of Lindsay Keller (Team Captain), Larissa Cookson, and Molly Shea for being awarded as the Americas Regional Winner of the 2011 Google Online Marketing Challenge! 

In the 2011 Challenge, there were over 35,000 students competing from more than 95 countries.   To be one of the top five teams out of the thousands who competed globally is quite an accomplishment.  There were four global regions in the Google Challenge: Americas, Europe, MEA (Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific.  The Americas region consisted of teams competing in North America, Central America, and South America.

The winning threesome participated in Dr. Theresa B. Clarke’s special topics in marketing course in the College of Business.  The students developed an online marketing campaign using Google AdWords for their client SOS Advertising, a local business selling promotional products, advertising specialties, and business gifts.

Lindsay Keller was the Team Captain in the Google Challenge.  She graduated in 2011 from JMU with a major in marketing.  Originally from Skykesville, MD, she currently works as a Jr. Account Manager at Search Mojo in Charlottesville, VA.    Larissa Cookson  completed her degree in 2011 with a major in marketing and a minor in European business.   She will begin employment in late August as a Search Marketing Analyst at the Rimm-Kaufman Group (RKG)  in Charlottesville, VA.  Molly Shea also graduated from JMU in 2011 with a marketing major and computer information systems minor.   She works in Pittsburgh, PA as a  Business Intelligence and Analytics Consultant at CIBER, Inc.

This is the second time that JMU has captured the Americas Regional Winner title under Dr. Clarke’s direction.   Similar to her 2009 winners, the 2011 winners will be traveling to the Googleplex this October.

All James Madison University Challenge participants ranked as a semi-finalist.  A semi-finalist ranking means that the team performed in the top 100 globally.  Congratulations to Amy Todd, Ashley Magness, Brittany Bazzle, Casey Davenport, Emily Senn, Gary Politi, Lauren Catino, Linn Baumgarndt, Meaghan McDonald, Nate Chua, Patty Caltabiano, and Sarah Bonner.