Media Scholars
The Media Plan Case Competition represents the cornerstone of the Washington Media Scholars Foundation. It challenges students to think strategically and dive into the deep-end of marketing impressions, numbers and budgets.
About the Competition
The Qualifying Round
The qualifying round includes a brief introduction to the basics of media planning and allows judges to determine those most able to submit a competitive media plan. During this round of the competition, students may work either individually or as a team of two.
Authors of the top 24 qualification round entries will be invited to participate in the 2020 Media Plan Case Competition. Of the 24 teams, six will be chosen to compete in Washington, D.C. for the National Excellence in Media Award and $16,000 in scholarships.
Case Competition
Teams of two create a strategic media plan based on a hypothetical public policy issue. Students work with actual, real-world data from leading national research and ratings firms to create a media plan that effectively reaches their target audience.
Some students may not have the knowledge or background necessary to create an in-depth strategic media plan. With that in mind, we have created a step-by-step guide to participation and a suggested reading list. A 15-minute tutorial is available here, or below.
Now students, regardless of academic interest, have the opportunity to truly engage in this challenge; and potentially reach the Nation’s Capital for Media Scholars Week.
How To Apply
Complete the Qualifying Round
1
This round takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. The Qualifying Round opens on September 16, 2019, and closes on February 3, 2020. Qualifying Round materials must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on February 3, 2019. This portion of the competition may be completed as an individual if you do not have a teammate. If you qualify for the competition, the Washington Media Scholars Foundation will match you with a suitable partner to form a team.
The qualifying round documents can be downloaded here.
Semi-Finalists Selected
2
Approximately 30 teams from the Qualifying Round will be selected by February 14, 2020. On this date, these semi-finalists will receive the official case and begin developing their Media Plans for the Case Competition.
Read the Documents
3
Once available, the case documents for the 2020 competition will be available for download here.
Case studies are due no later than March 13, 2020.
Submit your Media Plan
4
Submit your Media Plan via the form below before 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2020.
Finalists Selected
5
Finalist teams will be selected and invited to participate in Media Scholars Week in Washington, DC (June 6-12, 2020). Finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to DC, where they will present their Media Plans to a panel of judges. Throughout the week, finalists will take part in touring and networking with media companies and participate in a variety of career prep/professional development sessions with national experts and leaders.