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"Koeppel Direct's media buying expertise has played an integral role in making my company successful. Koeppel generated so much business for our company, occasionally we have to limit their media buys, in order to handle all of the new business." | |
| - R. Gregg Marketer of Senior Products |
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MEDIA BUYING DIRECT RESPONSE TELEVISION (DRTV) ARTICLE ...... |
Nationwide Invention Contest Unveils America's Best Young Entrepreneurs
Published: 06/06 - ERA |
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Six High School Students Among Finalists to Receive $20,000 Grand Prize in Contest Hosted by Trade
Association, Media Company and Student Organization
Today the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda
(FBLA- PBL) and the program's sponsor, Koeppel Direct, a leading media buying firm announced the winner
of a nationwide contest to find America's best young inventors. The Grand Prize of $20,000 was awarded
to Julia and Caroline La Roche, a sister team from Fugua High School in Farmville, Virginia for their
invention called "Flea Tea," a natural herb remedy that kills fleas on cats and dogs without any
harmful side effects.
"ERA's inventor showcase has been bringing together the newest inventors with the biggest players in
direct retailing since 1999 when the program was launched," said Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO
of the Electronic Retailing Association. "Our industry is hopeful that this competition has encouraged
participation among future business leaders in celebration of America's entrepreneurship."
The National Invention Showcase was a competition open exclusively to FBLA-PBL's 250,000 members nationwide
and was sponsored by Koeppel Direct, an ERA member and a leading direct response media buying company.
To ensure protection to the inventor, all submissions were required to have a patent- secured or a
patent-pending on the invention idea and/or the product itself. ERA provided detailed information on
the process and offered assistance if needed.
"This program seemed a natural fit for our student membership," said Jean Buckley, President and CEO
of FBLA-PBL. "Today, they impressed us all with their innovative ideas produced by America's most
creative minds."
The six finalists were also given the opportunity to spend time with contest sponsor Peter Koeppel of
Koeppel Direct, a leading direct response media buying firm who provided tips to success in product
selection, effective direct marketing and promotion.
"As an entrepreneur who started my own business, I am honored to be the sponsor of this incredible program
and to contribute to the future success of these young inventors," said Peter Koeppel, Founder and
CEO of Koeppel Direct.
Inventions were judged by pre-qualified ERA members, who are actively involved in the Invention Showcase
and experts in product marketing and distribution. Determinations were based on many characteristics,
including best product idea, best potential for production, and most ingenuity and creativity.
Among other finalists were:
2nd Place winner Mitchell James Duffy (16 years old) from Inglemoor High School of Redmond, Washington for
"Butter Blaster," a device that evenly distributes butter throughout an entire container of
popcorn.
3rd Place winner Tyson Williams (18 years old) from Fruita Monument High School of Grand Junction,
Colorado for the "Floating Gaming Table," a floating table top with built-in drink holders and
chip tray for game playing in the pool or spa.
4th Place Winner Christopher Dean Messick (16 years old) from Sargent High School of Monte Vista,
Colorado for the "Gesture System for Computer Interface," a device consisting of two gloves, worn
by a computer user, which read all the movements of the hands. Based on a gesturing system, a user
is able to flex the hands in different manners in order to type, move the pointer, and input entire
phrases without ever touching the keyboard or mouse.
Runner-Up Julia (18 years old) and Caroline (16 years old) LaRoche from Fugua High School of Farmville,
Virginia for "Doggy Den/Kitty Cave," a cozy resting spot for your pet that looks like a landscape
boulder with heated floors.
Runner-Up James Toles (15 years old) from Savannah Arts Academy of Savannah, Georgia for
"Photosynthelect," an educational board game designed to teach students about the process of
photosynthesis. Students sharpen their intellect while having fun. The game includes three different
boards, each designed to focus on the three stages of photosynthesis.
Second, third and fourth-place winners each received $2,500.
The Electronic Retailing Association
The Washington DC-based Electronic Retailing Association is the trade association involved in
multi-channel electronic marketing, including infomercials, short-form commercials, live shopping
channels, the Internet and radio, representing a $296 billion market.
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is a nonprofit organization that
prepares students for careers in business and business education. Its 250,000 members and advisers
in 15,000 chartered chapters include students from the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Bermuda, Guam, the Cayman Islands, and Europe. Its mission is to bring business and education together
in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.
To learn more, see FBLA-PBL's Web site at http://www.fbla-pbl.org or call (800) FBLA-WIN.
Koeppel Direct is one of the country's leading direct response media buying firm.
Click Here to read about it in the Electronic Retailer Magazine
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