Crown Castle awards innovation at Warwick Business School

Warwick Business School has announced the winners of the inaugural 'Ted Miller Prize for Innovation' sponsored by local based Crown Castle International, the world's leading independent owner and operator of shared wireless and broadcast infrastructure.

The Award, named after Ted Miller, President of Crown Castle, is designed to encourage innovation in business and is open to full time MBA students. Ted Miller had the foresight in 1994 to establish a company positioned at the cutting edge of technology. Crown Castle is now a $200 million business, which continues to innovate, and is today shaping the wireless world of tomorrow.

Visiting from Houston, Texas, USA, Ted Miller presented the trophy and £1,000 to the winning syndicate. Two runners-up groups each received £250.

One hundred students on the MBA course module entitled 'Managing Innovation' worked in syndicate groups to identify market applications for the launch of a new barrel product. Designed to test creativity and ingenuity, the winning syndicate group argued that the barrel could be used to package transmission-line insulators. They demonstrated business logic and creativity coupled with clarity of presentation and a 'starlike quality'. Other entries ranged from plant containers for garden centres and modular furnishing to food storage containers and boxes for Formula 1 tyres.

Prof Howard Thomas, Dean, Warwick Business School, said: "Warwick Business School is ranked amongst the top business schools in the world. We strive to maintain this reputation by our association and partnerships with some of the world's leading organisations. Our association with Crown Castle has proved to be a significant benefit to both the school, in terms of relevant research opportunities and our students in terms of placement.

"Crown Castle has gained an international reputation for business innovation so we attach great value to its sponsorship of this prize and look forward to a long and positive relationship."

Ted Miller, President of Crown Castle, said: "Crown Castle is a strong supporter of Warwick Business School. Like them, we applaud thought leadership and new ideas both of which have been well demonstrated by all of the students on this course. I feel certain that a number of these ideas could come to fruition in the marketplace."

Warwick Business School is amongst the top 40 in the world, top 10 in Europe and top five in the UK. Students are required to have at least four years relevant work experience before embarking on their MBA's. On successfully completing the course, students move onto senior positions in industry, consulting and professional services typically doubling their previous earnings.

The winning syndicate included: Santiago Garayzabal, Yogev Gavri, Lynda Graham, Hishaharu Kato, Monica Ramjattan, John Senior, Chru Kei Tsang and Raymond Chog.