The Modern is proud to announce that its student marketing team took third place at the National Student Advertising Competition District 5 virtual event held on April 17, 2021. Western Kentucky University won second place, and the University of Kentucky took first.

Second-year student Hannah Peterson won the Dynamo Award for exceptional performance.

Advised by instructors Clancy Boyer, A.J. Busé, and Leah Henderson, the team of 20 Design and Design Leadership students created an award-winning campaign throughout the spring semester.

The National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), is the premier college advertising competition in the nation, providing more than 2,000 students the experience of creating a strategic advertising/marketing/media campaign for a corporate client. Students develop a marketing plan then pitch their work to advertising professionals at the district, semi-final, and national levels. This year’s client is Tinder, the popular dating app.

The Modern’s students have competed in this prestigious competition for seven consecutive years. Former rankings for The Modern include:

2020 – 1st Place Overall
2019 – 2nd Place Overall, Best Digital
2018 – 2nd Place Overall, Best Creative, Best Promotion
2017 – 1st Place Overall, Best Creative
2016 – 2nd Place Overall, Best Presenters
2015- 2nd Place Overall

Other colleges that competed in the District 5 competition include Murray State University, Marshall University, Youngstown University, and Miami University. The 2021 NSAC team members include Tanner Conway, Olivia Evans, Karleen Goffinett, Drake Hipple, Kaitlyn Lee, Emily Legg, Cade Mays, Calla Monroe, Hannah Peterson, Jess Simons, Kimber Solon, Alexia Woodward, Summer Wysong, Harley Brooks, Josh Marruffo, Kaylee Showalter, Tara Springer, Eva Stammen, Ally Graham, and Jelly Weimer.

The following fourth-year students served as mentors to the team: Madison Hosier, Logan Hill, Shelby Miller, and Cassie Rapier.

“The depth of this year’s campaign for Tinder is extraordinary,“ stated Jessica Barry, president of The Modern. “Our students’ knowledge of strategic marketing and design makes them strong competitors.”