Marketing News 

Jordan Sitterud, a native of Roseville, California, has always admired basketball player Michael Jordan. He not only respected everything about Jordan—from his work ethic on the court to his fresh line of sneakers—but he also appreciated the trials Jordan overcame in his life to become one of the greatest basketball players in the NBA. Sitterud followed Jordan’s example of persistence by never giving up on his own dreams, including being admitted to BYU after several attempts and later the BYU Marriott School of Business. 

Darron Billeter cherishes the moments when his students knock on his office door for a quick visit. He sees the value and potential each student has as he sits down and chats with each of them about their current circumstances and lives. Billeter’s overall goal as an associate professor of marketing at the BYU Marriott School of Business is to spend his time serving those he works with and those he teaches, emulating the light of his Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Standing in the heart of Curitiba, Brazil, as a 20-year-old missionary, Preston Haight had no idea what his next step in life would be. Approaching the end of his mission, he was only certain about two things: he loved baseball, and he had a job waiting for him at the surf shop where he had worked before his mission. From that uncertainty, Haight recalls specific people entering his life who divinely guided him to a passion he eventually became certain about—the marketing program at the BYU Marriott School of Business.  

After failing BYU Marriott’s introductory marketing class, Trapper Denton initially decided that marketing was not for him. However, encouraged by his wife, he retook the course. Thanks to that perseverance, Denton has now found his place in the marketing world and helps other students do the same.  

According to BJ Allen, the world of sales doesn’t mean charming a customer at their doorstep or tricking someone into a purchase. Instead, he passionately believes sales helps people find solutions to problems by introducing products or services one may not know ever existed. As an assistant professor of marketing at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Allen now wants to help his students feel the same way.  

The crackling sound of sparks, dancing orange flames, and the glowing light of a fire cast upon the faces huddled around it are the images and sounds that play in Marinne Pearson’s mind when she thinks about a campfire. When the 2013 BYU Marriott School of Business marketing alumna was working to rebrand a new company, Pearson likened the company’s service of bringing managers together for trainings to people gathering around a campfire.

When Allie Jensen lost her mother to a lifelong battle with multiple sclerosis, she thought she would never be able to attend college. Flash forward seven years and Jensen is a brand-new marketing graduate from the BYU Marriott School of Business.

Nine students at the BYU Marriott School of Business were recently honored as 2022 Bateman Award recipients for their excellence both inside and outside the classroom. The annual award, named for Merrill J. Bateman, allows each undergraduate program at BYU Marriott to select a 2021–22 academic year senior for recognition.

Marketing students at BYU Marriott recently had a chance to network with sales professionals and compete for high-value prizes at the on-campus event dubbed Salesapalooza. With more than 60 student attendees and 40 sales professionals participating in the event, Salesapalooza proved to be a success for everyone involved.

In a drawer in Mike Bond’s office are all the notes he took in training meetings during his 11 years as a brand manager. Bond, an associate teaching professor of marketing at the BYU Marriott School of Business, uses this two-feet-deep pile of notes to plan lessons for his students, who he hopes to prepare for success in the marketing industry.

After retiring from a long career in sales for startup software companies, Greg Zippi knew exactly what he wanted to do next—teach. Zippi, who has had a lifelong passion for teaching, decided he wanted to share all he had learned from his career with the students at the BYU Marriott School of Business. Zippi is now in his fifth semester of teaching at BYU Marriott as an adjunct marketing professor teaching a sales course he created.

After he learned from a fast-food mogul and role model, Dustin Leonard dreamed of becoming a successful marketer. Now a BYU Marriott School of Business marketing senior, Leonard discovered that success comes through mentorship, pursuing his marketing passions, and seizing opportunities. 

BYU Marriott School of Business marketing students won first place at the 2021 MarketStar Sales and Analytics Champion Competition at Utah State University (USU). The team members were awarded $4,000 in prize money for their victory and have caught the attention of recruiters and potential employers with their award-winning work.

After spending most of his time as an undergraduate student preparing for law school, Kurt Herrmann received surprising inspiration to change career paths. This sudden shift in plans started a long road through marketing, entrepreneurship, business consulting, and ultimately to the BYU Marriott School of Business as an adjunct professor of management.

The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business welcomes nine new professors this fall.

Inspired by his father, Carlos Valles moved from Mexico to the United States to study at the BYU Marriott School of Business and launch his career. Now working as a brand manager for The Hershey Company, the marketing alum is fueled by his passion for business and influential experiences at BYU Marriott. 

Every year, each department in the BYU Marriott School of Business selects one outstanding student to receive the Bateman Award, which recognizes excellence both inside and outside the classroom. The award is named after Merrill J. Bateman, who served as the dean of BYU Marriott from 1975–79 and the president of BYU from 1996–2003. 

Inspired by the help and guidance he received from his peers and professors at the BYU Marriott School of Business, marketing senior Parker Stohlton decided to give back. Stohlton’s efforts eventually culminated with the creation of a program to help pre-business students land internships and gain valuable work experience. Driven by his passion for marketing and making connections with others, Stohlton works hard to pass on the baton to the next generation of BYU Marriott students.

Within of a year of graduating from the BYU Marriott School of Business, Luisa Chil helped build a company from the ground up. Now working at a digital marketing agency in Chicago, Chil uses her past growth experiences and lessons she has learned to help her succeed in her career and give back to her community.

Marc Dotson, a BYU Marriott School of Business assistant professor of marketing, ventured through various fields of study, including journalism, political science, and international political economy, before discovering how marketing could be used to fulfill his aspiration of helping people make better decisions.