MBA Student Competition Features Ideas to Close the Digital Divide
MAMARONECK, NY — A Pace Lubin School of Business student team has won the Fall
2024 Interactive Case Competition: Broadband Equity Challenge 2.0, designed to
promote broadband Internet for all. The four members of Team Odyssey took home a
first-place prize of $5,000 by presenting an engagement strategy to increase broadband
adoption in the state of Oklahoma.
The competition, hosted by media & technology educator Craig Leddy, president of
Interactive TV Works, Inc., featured five teams of business students presenting
innovative plans to boost broadband sign-ups in specific U.S. states. During a live virtual
event on November 21, a judges panel of industry leaders watched the team
presentations and selected the winner. “Our team truly enjoyed participating in this impactful competition and learned a great
deal about broadband equity and its importance in connecting underserved
communities,” said Jinal Thakkar, who was joined by teammates Tasneem Hasan, Yashi
Manish Vora and Raj Doshi. “Our recommendations focused on empowering the
education and healthcare sectors, highlighting how enhanced connectivity can drive
progress and inclusivity in these critical industries.” Other competitors included a second team from Pace Lubin, two teams from Drexel
University LeBow College of Business and one from University of Denver Daniels
College of Business. Each team selected a U.S. state that is due to receive federal
Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) funding to extend Internet service. The
teams created strategies to increase broadband sign-ups among key demographic
groups. “I want to commend you all,” said judge Lakecia Stickney, executive director, public
policy for Comcast NBCU. With broadband buildouts, it’s not always true that “if you
build it, they will come,” she said. “We also have to make sure we are doing what is
necessary to ensure that we’re reaching people and meeting them where they are to
make sure they understand the relevancy of getting online.”
Other judges included Pragash Pillai, CTO, Hotwire Communications, and Tom
McLaughlin, CEO, ATX Networks.
The fall competition was sponsored by Spectrum, Comcast NBCU, Breezeline, Hotwire
Communications, 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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