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Miller sisters reach top 10

Sisters, and Faculty of Management classmates, Amanda and Brittany Miller, are marketing themselves for success in the competition for Canada's Next Top Ad Exec.

The pair of Marketing majors were initially selected in the top 25 of the annual national marketing contest, from a field of 167 teams from universities across Canada. They have now made an impressive rise to the ranks of the top 10.

"We're all very proud of Amanda and Brittany and their achievement thus far in the competition," says Faculty of Management dean, Dr. Robert Ellis. "Their success speaks to their hard work and dedication and the quality of programs here in the Faculty of Management. We wish them the best of luck in the finals."

The contest, sponsored by McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business, asks students to create an advertising campaign for an actual product from a real business – in this case, Chevrolet Canada's new "Sonic" compact car.

The first phase of competition requires each team to develop an "elevator pitch" – a summary of their marketing idea short enough to be presented in the duration of an elevator ride. Phase two, with the successful top 25 teams, allows competitors to develop and submit a more comprehensive report outlining key objectives and strategies.

From this group, 10 teams are selected to move onto the final phase, which involves travelling to Toronto Mar. 29 to present their ideas to a panel of high-powered judges.

The Millers were both ecstatic about reaching this last phase of competition.

"This is such a great opportunity for us, no matter how it ends up," says Amanda.

Members of the successful team will each be awarded a new Chevy Sonic and the privilege of networking with some of the most influential people in the business. Additional prizes for runners-up include scholarships, Fuji camera packages and internship opportunities.