Marketing Students Win Advertising Contest

Five Oakton marketing students are the winners of an advertising contest to benefit LifeSource, the state’s largest blood center.

“Share Your Blood, Show Your Love,” a 60-second radio spot designed to influence college students to donate blood, was created by Oakton students Judy Wojnar and Andrew Rosset, Des Plaines; Quinn Carson and Natasha Shino, Glenview; and Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Prospect Heights. Each receives an equal share of the $500 first prize. All five are enrolled in Introduction to Advertising, a summer class taught by Sue Cisco, marketing chair.

“We came up with the slogan first and added the music later,” said Carson, who composed an original song for the spot. “It was just a matter of singing the slogan and finding a melody that fit with guitar chord progression.”

Another Oakton student, Ross Donewald, Northbrook, received the “best video” award for his entry, “Ten Minutes to Be a Hero.” He also received a $500 award.

“Students only had two weeks to produce their entries,” said Cisco. “This contest reflects what it is like to work at an advertising agency with tight deadlines.”

The competition was sponsored by Best New Ad, a social media company geared to college students. The Oakton entries will be part of a fall marketing campaign by LifeSource.

“Students are more likely to listen to other students,” said Mary Ann Sullivan, executive director of administration for LifeSource. “This type of campaign works better than any flyer we could design and also makes it more compelling for people to want to donate blood.”

For more information call the Office of College Advancement at 847-635-1806.