KU News Release

KU journalism students named finalists in national contest

LAWRENCE — A group of University of Kansas students is getting a taste of fame.

The eight students are finalists in a national advertising contest organized by Chipotle, a national restaurant chain specializing in gourmet tacos and burritos. Chipotle invited 120 colleges and universities to submit entries.

The KU students’ commercial, titled “Burrito Friends Forever,” is viewable on the YouTube Web site. The video with the most views on YouTube by Nov. 15 has the best chance of winning the $30,000 prize. There are 12 finalists.

The students who created KU’s entry are enrolled in a strategic communication campaigns class at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

“The ad concept was developed based on intensive and extensive research; it is a commercial that manages best to combine the proper message with the right audience, and is doing this by using a really funny and unexpected approach,” said Mugur Geana, assistant professor of journalism, who teaches the campaigns class and managed the team of students.

The students created profiles on MySpace.com and Facebook.com to increase traffic to the KU video. Facebook users are encouraged to join the group “Make KU famous” to show their support of the KU team.

“This is a great opportunity to put KU and Lawrence on the map,” said group member Annemarie Deslauriers. “Winning this contest would make KU famous, and we want to encourage people to support KU by viewing our video.”

Members of the team are listed below by hometown, level and major in school, parents’ names and high schools attended.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY
From Ellsworth 67439
Matt Doubrava, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) with a minor in business; son of Alan and Kristi Doubrava; Ellsworth High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Merriam 66202
Patrick Crough, senior in in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), son of Deborah Crough; Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park.

From Overland Park 66210
Sara Turnbull, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) with a minor in communication studies, daughter of Dave and Nancy Turnbull; Blue Valley North High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66606 and Arlington, Mass.
Annemarie Deslauriers, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) with a minor in French, daughter of Jennifer Deslauriers of Topeka and Mark Deslauriers of Arlington, Mass.; Hayden High School, Topeka.

SUMNER COUNTY
From Welliington 67152
Nathan Markley, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) and psychology, son of Matthew and Sandra Markley; Wellington Senior High School.

CALIFORNIA
From Los Angeles 90036
Liz Weisman, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) with a minor in film studies; daughter of Vivienne Weisman; Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies.

MASSACHUSETTS
From Arlington 02476 and Topeka, Kan.
Annemarie Deslauriers. See SHAWNEE COUNTY

OKLAHOMA
From Tulsa 74137
Carlie Jacobsen, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), daughter of Don and Pam Jacobsen; Jenks High School, Jenks, Okla.

WISCONSIN
From Madison 53711
Stacy Dvorak, senior in history and journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), daughter of Sandy Wiederholt; Edgewood High School.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.