Selfie and candy lovers can head out to Fresno State next week to help make history as two teams of students attempt to break world records for a marketing class.
“The Longest Selfie Chain” record seeks up to 1,500 people 1-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the University Courtyard residence halls on campus to help break the record of 283 people taking a picture of themselves at the same time.
“The Most People Opening a Candy Simultaneously” (Candy Cause Project) hopes 1,000 participants will come to its event noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Maple Mall on campus to help break the record of 817. This event will include a special tribute to commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor that day.
These are two projects of the Strategic Marketing 188 course, a capstone marketing class at Fresno State taught by Dr. William Rice.
Each semester, projects for this course find students trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. Over the years the class has produced many new world records.
The course focuses on strategic planning and procedures leading to development of marketing plans, including financial analysis and budgeting. Those who attempt to break a world record submit their claim to Guinness in London and typically receive a response 6-8 weeks later.
For the selfie project, the current record is 283 people achieved by Samsung Electronics America in Los Angeles on Oct. 14.
It requires a line of people taking a self-photograph with a smartphone or tablet of their own in a relay fashion. Each photo must show full face, neck, and partial arm, and all the images must be taken within 60 seconds, said Kevin Sweetman, student team member.
“The number of people taking part in the relay chain measures the record,” he said. “No retakes allowed.”
More official selfie record rules are posted on the project website, http://fresnocaselfiereco.wix.com/home.
Participants can enjoy prizes, music, and food at the event. Parking is available in Lot P-27 (from Cedar Ave. enter at Scott Ave., the first campus entrance north of Shaw). Permits for $3 are available at the dispenser in the parking lot.
The selfie team members are Chris Laub and Sara Sombat of Fresno, Kevin Sweetman of Elk Grove, Maria Munoz of Madera, Nick Jimenez of Kingsburg and Steven Flanagan of Citrus Heights.
On Dec. 7, the Candy Cause 2014 project will try to break the current record of 817 people simultaneously unwrapping a candy achieved by Kinder Surprise of Canada at the Canadian National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario, on Aug. 30.
The Candy Cause Creative team consists of Jamie Oakland and Colin Graham of Fresno; Lynn Burnias of Corcoran; Britni Hicks of Tulare; Briana Chavez of Salinas; Alex Price of Oakhurst; and Cody Mallonee of Los Banos.
The students are partnering with iHeart Media, B95, SoftRock 98.9 and other donors for the free, public event with that will incorporate a Christmas theme while raising funds and food for The Bulldog Pantry.
To break the record, participants will receive one piece of candy and given a raffle ticket (that wil serve as counter tallies for the record). They will await instructions for a countdown to reach down and grab their candy with only one hand. On signal, participants will be instructed to use both hands to open their candy simultaneously. More contest details available at www.CandyCause2014.weebly.com.
Activities such as face painting and pictures with Santa will cost $1 but this fee may be waived with the donation of a canned or boxed food item.
Contests for raffle prizes will also be held. Parking is free on weekends.
All ages are welcome at the event but to participate in the world record attempt children must be at least 5 and with parent supervision.
For more information, visitwww.CandyCause2014.weebly.com or contact Britni Hicks at 559.280.8876, www.Facebook.com/CandyCause2014 or CandyCause2014@gmail.com.
For more information about the selfie project, contact Sweetman at 916.801.8777 or fresnocaselfierecord@gmail.com or visit www.fresnocaselfiereco.wix.com/home.
