January 5th, 2026 – Case Study Released
March 20th 2026 – Teams Must be Registered by 5 P.M. (CST)
March 20th, 2026 – 1st Round Video Due by 5 P.M. (CST)
April 3rd, 2026 – Finalists Announced
April 11th, 2026 – Finalist’s Presentations (Virtual)
August 3rd, 2026 – Case Study Released
October 23rd, 2026 – Teams Must be Registered by 5 P.M. (CST)
October 23rd, 2026 – 1st Round Video Due by 5 P.M. (CST)
November 11th, 2026 – Finalists Announced
November 21st, 2026 – Finalist’s Presentations (Virtual)
UNDERGRADUATE COMPETITION
Open to all undergraduate students in all countries.
Undergraduates for the DMC are defined as those that are currently working toward an Associate or Bachelor degree.
Teams must consist of two to four undergraduate students and one professor of record.
Professors may oversee multiple undergraduate teams and there is no limit to the amount of teams from one university.
All work must be performed by the students, but professors can provide critiques. Professors are defined as a paid employee of the university they are representing. Outside consultants or non-paid professors may not assist the teams with their work, otherwise your team may be disqualified.
DO NOT CONTACT THE CLIENT: Direct all questions to the client through the Digital Marketing Competition staff and we will send them to the client for answers. Unfortunately due to some issues in the past, we will now DISQUALIFY teams that do not follow this rule.
In round one, you’ll submit a prerecorded YouTube video for judging:
PRESENTATION LENGTH: Video must be eight minutes (8:00) or less in length or your video will not be scored. Each presentation must begin with a title presentation (i.e. Powerpoint) screen that includes the names of their 2-4 students and their professor.
VIDEO: Uncut means videos must be filmed in one continuous shot. A Zoom recording is considered an uncut video. Graphics and other video overlays can be used in the presentation video, but must not cover up the presenters or cut the presentation video in any way. The judges must see at least one presenter at all times in the video. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube as “unlisted” only. Public or private videos will not be judged.
JUDGING: All videos will be judged by active industry digital marketing professionals and will have no ties to the university team presenting. Judging is based on the rubric: 25% Research, 30% Paid Strategy, 30% Owned Strategy, and 15% Media/Evaluation.
Six (6) undergraduate team finalists will be selected to compete during the Digital Marketing Competition Finals. Two (2) undergraduate alternate teams will be announced as well if a finalist can’t present.
In the finals, your team will present live (via Zoom Events) at the Digital Marketing Competition.
NUMBER OF FINALISTS: Six (6) undergraduate finalists will be selected to present virtually to the client live during the Digital Marketing Competition.
PRESENTATION LENGTH: Each finalist will have 15 minutes to present. Immediately afterward, the client will have ten minutes to ask questions to each team. Each presentation must begin with a title presentation (i.e. Powerpoint) screen that includes the names of their 2-4 students and their professor.
JUDGING: Judges will consist of the key members of the client’s management team and active industry digital marketing professionals. Judging is based on the rubric: 25% Research, 30% Paid Strategy, 30% Owned Strategy, and 15% Media/Evaluation.
TROPHIES: Awards will be provided to all team members/professor of the first, second, and third place teams in the undergraduate competition.
RECORDING: Each team will be recorded and the recording will be provided to their professor and could be shared in future communications regarding the DMC.