High School Students Win $500 in Point Pitch Competition
Partnering with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 75 high school students developed a high-level marketing communications plan at Point Park University's annual Point Pitch competition on November 8, 2024, to win a $500 prize for the best campaign.
Fourteen teams of students from nine high schools developed branding and promotional ideas to entice middle and high school students to check out the Museum Lab at the Children's Museum.
About the Client
The Children's Museum provides an innovative and inclusive experience that inspires creativity, kindness, joy and curiosity for all learners. Museum Lab, located in the historic Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, offers kids cutting-edge experiences in art, tech and making, experimenting and learning on the largest cultural campus for children in the country.
Local Industry Professionals Serve as Mentors to Students
The 14 teams were paired with a professional mentor from the Pittsburgh public relations and advertising industry, who provided networking opportunities and guidance. Teams produced everything from the big idea to creative executions and strategy. Mentors included:
- Lauren Suchy '08, '23, Beyond Spots & Dots
- Victor Kimmel, NFM+Dymun
- Evan Von Leer, Burson
- Jeremy Church, WordWrite
- Lauren Townsend, 9Rooftops
- Chelsey Driskel '17, '18, Honeywell
- Nicole Chynoweth '13, '24, Point Park University
- Morgan Avrigean '19, Guns Down America
- Caroline Toplak '10, ZOLL
- Kariann Mano '16, Spectrum Science
- Jeff Krakoff, Krakoff Communications
- Gianna DiPaolo '22, Oyster Creative Co.
- Katherine Kellar, M.A. public relations, advertising and social media student, AVOXI
- Mike Schroeder, Markowitz Communications
Nine High Schools Bring 75 Students to Point Pitch
Point Pitch welcomed 75 students from nine local high schools, including:
- Valley High School
- Taylor Allderdice High School
- The Linsly School
- West Shamokin High School
- Thomas Jefferson High School
- Canon-McMillan High School
- Bethel Park High School
- Elizabeth Forward High School
- South Side Area High School
Taylor Allderdice Students Win $500
Congratulations to all Point Pitch participants and their professional mentors! A team from Taylor Allderdice High School won the $500 prize for their big idea: "Your Space. Your Place. Your Vision. Your Decision."
Photos: Point Pitch November 2024
Photos by Chloe Humway '28
Photos: Point Pitch April 2024
Partnering with the Pittsburgh Opera in April 2024, high school students developed a high-level marketing communications plan at Point Park's inaugural Point Pitch competition for the chance to win a $500 prize for the winning pitch. Photos by Ethan Stoner '26
Questions?
Contact Camille Downing, M.A., School of Communication faculty, with questions about Point Pitch: cdowning@pointpark.edu.