We’re excited to introduce the finalists for the 2026 Media Plan Case Competition.
This year’s competition challenged students to tackle a real-world issue at the intersection of media, policy, and public health. In partnership with Responsibility.org, teams were asked to develop strategic campaigns focused on expanding the adoption of Alcohol 101+ across South Carolina’s public higher education system.
Throughout the competition, students demonstrated strong strategic thinking, creativity, and a clear understanding of how media can influence decision-makers. With a highly competitive pool of submissions, our judges selected teams that stood out for their ability to connect insight with actionable, policy-driven solutions.
After careful review, we’re proud to present the 2026 finalists:
Finalists:
Berkeley Brains: Michelle Ifediba and Juliette Rackohn, University of California, Berkeley
Carolina Cohesion Media: Kimi Johnson, Iowa State University and Nathan Hart-Hodgson, Boston College
Meggison-Valline, LLC: Campbell Valline, Iowa State University and Tess Meggison, Drake University
Ninth State Strategies: Kamdyn Richardson and Isis Williams, Claflin University,
Owl Insights: Allen Pinkerton and Danica Godshall, Temple University,
The Garden City Consultants: Kyle Stephenson and Natalia Caceres Leon, Adelphi University,
Alternates:
Flare Media: Alyssa Shaw, University of South Carolina and Katareena Roska, Northwestern University
Team Milly and Gracyn: Gracyn Stein and Milagro Acosta, Temple University
These standout teams will advance to the final round, where they will travel to Washington, D.C. for an all-expenses-paid Media Scholars Week, June 7-12. There, they’ll refine their campaigns, receive mentorship from industry professionals, and present their final strategies for the opportunity to win a share of $18,500 in scholarships.
To learn more about the Media Plan Case Competition and follow along, visit www.mediascholars.org/media-scholars or follow @media_scholars.
