NYU Team Wins Case Competition that Tackles Broadband Equity
- Craig Leddy
- May 2
- 2 min read
MBA Student Competition Features Bold Ideas to Close the Digital Divide
MAMARONECK, NY — A NYU student team has won the Spring 2025 Interactive Case Competition: Broadband Equity Challenge, designed to promote broadband Internet for all. The four members of Team BroadBandits (NYU) took home a first-place prize of $5,000 by presenting an engagement strategy to increase broadband adoption by focusing on healthcare tools and more specifically on diabetes management.
The competition, hosted by media & technology educator Craig Leddy, president of Interactive TV Works, Inc., featured three teams of students presenting innovative plans to boost broadband adoption. During a live virtual event April 17, a judges panel of industry leaders watched the team presentations and selected the winner. “Broadband accessibility is an issue that quietly shapes millions of lives. Our team is grateful for the opportunity to explore this deeply, learn from it, and help spark creative marketing solutions—one community at a time,” said Kate Baricheva, who was joined by teammates Nayana Marar, Michael Wang, Amy Wang. Other competitors included a team from Pace Lubin School of Business (Team Nimbus) and a team from Drexel University LeBow College of Business (SPEC4CONNECT). Each team was tasked with solving the question: How can traditional cable and broadband companies revitalize their Internet subscription business and economically help to close the Digital Divide?
“It was so obvious to all of us judging just how much work the students put into the presentations,” said judge Nomi Bergman, Senior Executive, Advance.
Additional judges included Amy MacLean, Editorial Director, Cablefax and Paul Woelk, SVP, Business Planning, Charter Communications.
“The Interactive Case Competition is such a great way for students to learn about our industry and its many challenges,” said coach Erica Gruen, Principal, Quantum Media. “Even more importantly, it gives them such valuable experience in working with a team of diverse individuals, under pressure, to produce high-level thinking and work. I so enjoy mentoring the smart and dynamic students who choose to participate - always a joy and honor.”
The spring competition was sponsored by Spectrum, Mediacom Communications, ATX Networks, 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.
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