Penn State Berks students took third place overall at the 2026 Mindful Marketing Ethics Challenge, held on Oct. 7, 2026, at Messiah University. The Mindful Marketing Ethics Challenge is a unique collegiate competition where teams of undergraduate students develop written responses to a specially prepared marketing ethics case that involves important moral issues in the field.
The students include Po Chang Chiu, Roger Han, Suiwai Li, Brianna Strittmatter and Kofoworola Taiwo. They developed a strategic plan to help a video production agency responsibly integrate AI while preserving authentic human storytelling. Dipti Bhatt, lecturer of business analytics and management; Ada Leung, associate professor of marketing; and Megan Lorenz, assistant teaching professor of accounting, provided guidance and support to the team.
For more than a month, the students researched and developed a comprehensive AI implementation strategy. Their solution showed how AI can enhance human creativity. They presented their work to business professionals, academics, fellow students and competing teams at the event.
Reflecting on the experience, Brianna Strittmatter stated, “Learning how to use AI ethically opened my eyes to how quickly our world is transitioning toward an AI-driven future. Researching mindful marketing ethics became an enjoyable and meaningful experience, not only because of the guidance of my professors and collaboration with my peers, but also because I had the opportunity to share my findings with others who share my passion for AI.”
Po Chang Chiu added, “Participating in the Mindful Marketing Ethics Challenge was a great learning experience. Working with my team on an AI marketing ethics case showed me how real and specific these ethical questions are for businesses today.”
Eleven schools across Pennsylvania participated in the competition: Bucknell University, Cairn University, Chatham University, Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg, Grove City College, Lebanon Valley College, Messiah University, Penn State Berks, Shippensburg University, Susquehanna University and York College.
The Mindful Marketing Ethics Challenge is an initiative of the American Marketing Association of Pennsylvania. The event was hosted by and sponsored by WebFX.
For more information, visit mindfulmarketing.org.
