U of T Scarborough BBA Students Attend the Prestigious Marketing Hall of Legends Awards Gala
On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, BBA students, Amanda Chin-Loy (4th year) and Vicky Zhao (3rd year) attended the annual Marketing Hall of Legends Awards Gala as personal guests of Bryan Pearson, President and CEO, LoyaltyOne AIR MILES Rewards Program. The event which was attended by senior marketing executives from many of Canada’s leading companies honoured and celebrated the accomplishments of successful marketing leaders ("Legends") while providing the opportunity to inspire marketing professionals of the future.
Amanda and Vicky were chosen to attend the Gala after participating in a competitive application process in which they successfully demonstrated their personal creativity and interest in marketing. As Marketing Managers for the Management & Economics Students’ Association (MESA) both have worked diligently on numerous marketing initiatives requiring them to stretch their limits and capabilities. One such project included a student promotional video, which Amanda remarks “took my creativity to a new level and encouraged me to think outside the box.” Vicky was able to further develop her skills as a Marketing Assistant at GM where she was the lead on a company-wide file sharing website. She says, “The true accomplishment was in finding a creative way to overcome obstacles so that I can adapt my thought process and learning towards bigger tasks ahead.”
The Gala provided a great opportunity to network not only with seasoned marketing professionals but also with other business students from well respected business programs. However, both Amanda and Vicky agree the best part of the evening was hearing the stories of the newly inducted Legends including; Clive Beddoe, Chairman & Founder of WestJet, Wayne Sales, former CEO of Canadian Tire, Kathleen Taylor, COO & President of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Terry O’Reilly, Producer and Founder of Pirate Radio, and Allan Kazmer, former SVP Creative Director of DDB Canada and OCAD Professor. Vicky mentions, “I had a wonderful time learning about the contributions of Legends present and past, as well as gain a cherished peek into what makes these people so creative and successful." Amanda adds, “I was inspired by their passion for marketing and humbled by the graciousness that they each had for their respective teams.”
Both Amanda and Vicky hail “promotions” as their main area of interest. "It [promotions] provides marketers with a creative outlet and has the power to influence opinion and evoke emotions," says Amanda. Vicky adds, “Advertising, public relations and brand management are fields that really put my originality, attention to detail and perceptiveness into good use.” So why marketing? The answer is simple; “The dynamism of these industries means that success and failure are as limitless as the opportunities available,” claims Vicky.
After graduating, Amanda hopes to attain a position in the marketing department of a large firm or advertising agency and eventually pursue her MBA. Vicky strives to pursue a career in either advertising or public relations abroad.