Student Competition Features Innovative Ideas to Close the Digital Divide
MAMARONECK, NY — A Denver University Daniels College of Business student team has won the Spring 2024 Interactive Case Competition: Broadband Equity Challenge 2.0 designed to promote broadband Internet for all. The 4-member team took home a first-place prize of $5,000 by presenting an engagement strategy to increase broadband adoption in Colorado.
The competition, hosted by media & technology educator Craig Leddy, president of Interactive TV Works, Inc., featured three teams of business students presenting innovative plans to boost broadband sign-ups among eligible U.S. demographic groups. During a live virtual event on April 25, a Judges Panel of industry leaders watched the team presentations and selected the winner.
“Participating in this competition was an enriching experience for our team,” said Alisa Sautter, a 2024 Masters candidate. “We enjoyed delving into the intricate world of broadband and gaining valuable insights and knowledge throughout the process. It was truly rewarding to work on such a relevant issue and deepen our understanding of our state's broadband infrastructure.”
The DU team, including 2024 Masters candidates Kaveena Grewal and Fiona Maclay and Class of 2024 undergraduate Gemma Tipping, presented an “Engage, Sustain & Target” strategy to help Internet service providers (ISPs) and Colorado communities utilize federal Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) funding to extend service and promote sign-ups.
“You all did a fantastic job and I loved that you shared our passion for solving this issue,” said Marva Johnson, Vice President, state government affairs, for Spectrum (Charter Communications). She particularly liked the student recommendations that ISPs work with trusted community groups to encourage broadband sign-ups because “you can’t just build it and expect that people will take it.”
Other teams included runner-up Drexel University LeBow College of Business and Pace University Lubin School of Business. Each team was mentored by veteran media & technology executives. Leddy moderated webinars with guest speakers to help the students learn about broadband, BEAD and the Digital Divide.
“I love this event,” said Nomi Bergman, a senior leader of Advance and an experienced competition judge. “It’s invaluable to have students look at our business and the challenges we’re facing and get their fresh thoughts.” With recruitment as a primary goal of the program, judge Shaun Blake, Vice President of products & programming for Breezeline, encouraged the students to join “this extremely dynamic industry that’s solving real-world problems.”
The Interactive Case Competition held twice a year, began at DU 14 years ago with the support of Professor Ron Rizzuto. This spring’s win ties DU with NYU Stern for the most victories at five each. This program is sponsored by Spectrum, Comcast NBCU, Breezeline, Mediacom Communications, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, Power & Tel and Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center.
Contacts: Craig Leddy, Interactive TV Works, cleddy@interactivetvworks.com, 914-310-6831;
Wanita Niehaus, PowerHaus Consultants, wanita.niehaus@gmail.com, 202-643-2765
About Interactive TV Works, Inc. and Interactive Case Competition
Interactive TV Works, Inc. is an independent consultancy dedicated to promoting an understanding of advanced media technologies and services. Based outside of New York City, its signature event is the twice-annual Interactive Case Competition.