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 2021 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 the Mia Guion Scholarship. This amounts to a total of $18,500 in scholarships to be awarded.
Applications open September 14th, 2020 for the 2021 Media Plan Case Competition.
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.
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
Register for the Qualifying Round
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Please fill out the form below to let us know you intend to compete.
Complete the Qualifying Round
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This round takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. The 2020 Qualifying Round deadline is now Friday, February 5, 2021. Submissions must be turned in by 11:59 p.m. EST. 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.
Semi-Finalists Selected
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Approximately 30 teams from the Qualifying Round will be selected by February 12, 2021. On this date, these semi-finalists will receive the official case and begin developing their Media Plans for the Case Competition.
Read the Documents
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You may download the 2021 Case documents by clicking here.
Please note, your Media Plan is due on March 26, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Submit your Media Plan
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Submit your Media Plan via the form below before 11:59 p.m. on March 26, 2021. If you have trouble uploading your documents, please email them (along with all information requested here) to info@mediascholars.org
Finalists Selected
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On or by April 2, six finalist teams will be selected and invited to participate in Media Scholars Week in Washington, DC. Should safety protocols allow, finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to DC, where they will present their Media Plans to a panel of judges. In the event that final presentations and seminars are unable to take place in-person, we will transition to a virtual experience. In either scenario, finalists will take part in networking with media companies and participate in a variety of career prep/professional development sessions with national experts and leaders during the week of June 7 if in person, and if virtually, in late May as well. The judging and final presentations will take place on June 10, 2021, as will the awards presentation.