University of Chester students win penguin feeding fun after competition win
Chester Zoo's penguins were the reward for two university students after winning prizes in a marketing contest.
By Chester Standard
Two University of Chester students won the chance to feed penguins at Chester Zoo after taking prizes in a marketing competition, according to the university. The reward followed a trip linked to Chester Business School’s teaching, with the students recognised for marketing ideas aimed at younger visitors.
The university said Digital Marketing student Ruby Jones took first place with a submission called Wild Connections – Engaging a New Audience. Business Management and Marketing Management student Sam Gill was runner-up with Wild After Dark – Making Chester the Must-See Summer Destination for 18- to 25-year-olds.
According to Chester Business School, the competition asked students to support the zoo’s marketing strategy by carrying out field research on how it could better target 18- to 25-year-old customers. The students had visited Chester Zoo as part of the project and heard from the zoo team about marketing and business strategy.
The university said the trip and prize were organised by Chester Business School, with Tim Brown, Ross Frisby, Hayley Oakes and Chris Hayes involved in leading the outing and arranging the penguin-feeding reward.
The university’s report was published on 29 July 2026. The zoo itself was not quoted in the material supplied, and no police, council, parents, residents or customers were mentioned.