Workshop Digital presents the 10th Outstanding JMU Digital Marketing Student Award

Mar 10, 2023   |   Clock Icon 4 min read

We are happy to announce that the 2023 recipient of the Workshop Digital Outstanding JMU Digital Marketing Student Award is Trevor Benton. This marks the 10th year that Workshop Digital has presented this $1,000 award to a senior at James Madison University to support JMU students as they launch their careers as digital marketers.

For Trevor, this award marks another milestone, as he continues to pursue lifelong interests.

“Growing up with technology, I have been involved in the digital world for a very long time. Digital marketing was attractive to me because of how involved I am in the space already, and how quickly it changes. I want to pursue a career that is challenging and never the same for every day that I come to work, and the field of digital marketing checked all of those boxes,” Trevor said.

Trevor was one of many exceptional students to be eligible for this year’s award after being accepted into JMU’s Internet Marketing Practicum course. JMU’s marketing students consistently impress us at Workshop Digital. The students who complete the Internet Marketing Practicum course come away with a valuable understanding of effective online marketing strategies, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing techniques.

"Workshop is proud to celebrate a decade of partnership with James Madison University. I'm always impressed with the professionalism and drive of the students and graduates that JMU produces each year, and Trevor is no exception. We're watching JMU's marketing program continue to evolve and look forward to another decade together."
- Brian Forrester, Workshop Digital CEO

The marketing course at JMU prepares students by offering hands-on experience with paid search and navigating the various principles and techniques marketers use to optimize digital and online campaigns. During his time in the program, Trevor found sources of motivation and empowerment.

Workshop Digital CEO Brian Forrester (left) with Trevor Benton, recipient of the 2023 Outstanding JMU Digital Marketing Student Award.

“I have participated in all kinds of sports, and the two factors that make every sport so enjoyable for me are self-improvement, and competition. From my internship experience and my studies at James Madison, I have come to realize that digital marketing is enjoyable to me for those same reasons. There is so much to learn in an environment that always changes, and there is competition to push you further to do greater things than your competitor,” he said.

Workshop Digital has chosen JMU students as the recipient of this award for the last 10 years thanks to the early investment the school made in teaching a fully developed digital marketing course. JMU shares Workshop Digital’s belief that digital marketing offers a variety of rewarding opportunities for people looking for the right career. We’re excited to see where Trevor goes.

“I hope to be successful and never stop learning, just as the field never stops changing. There are so many people with unique perspectives and knowledge, the only thing I can hope for is to be able to listen to it all,” shared Trevor.

"Trevor stood out among a great pool of applicants for this year's award due to his passion for the industry," added Morgan Jarvis, Workshop Digital Director of Paid Media and a recipient of the 2015 Outstanding JMU Digital Marketing Student Award. "Trevor also exhibited a keen understanding of the dynamic, ever-changing nature of digital marketing. He was able to speak to his predictions for the future of the industry based on the existing, evolving trends that we encounter every day. We're thrilled to select him as this year's award winner."

Best of luck, Trevor!