Can you imagine yourself as a future hotshot executive in the marketing and communication industry but don’t know how to get started? Well look no further.
For the first time in the past five years, McGill is participating in McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business’ Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec (CNTAE), a competition that provides an excellent platform for business students to break into this coveted and extremely exciting industry.
As one of the most competitive and influential competitions across Canadian universities, this program challenges B.Com students, MBA students, or anyone with a passionate interest in business to create a marketing campaign for a new Chevrolet vehicle. The reward: a brand new Chevrolet for every member of the winning team, along with plenty of cash prizes for the winners and finalists.
However, beyond the material gains, this program also provides students with an invaluable opportunity to network with leaders of the business world as well as obtain internships in the marketing and communications field.
Aimed to bridge the gap between the real industry and universities through the “transfer of expertise, mentorship, and career opportunities in the fields of marketing and strategy,” Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, like the L’Oreal Brandstorm, is an event that any student wanting to pursue a career in the marketing field should consider participating in.
In the past, the CNTAE has received submissions from over 43 Canadian universities, provided over 28 internships to finalists. Last year, out of the 191 submissions, 2 students were awarded with cars. This year will mark McGill’s maiden voyage into this coveted competition.
This competition has three phases. The first phase comprises an elevator pitch in which participants will have to develop a two-page summary detailing their main idea. Phase two will be held a month later and the 25 short listed teams from across Canada will have to create a comprehensive report that outlines their entire proposal that includes key objectives, positioning, media strategy, creative execution and executive summary.
Subsequently, ten finalists will be selected for the last round where they each get thirty minutes to present their ideas to a panel composed of the top ranking individuals in the industry. More details about the proceedings can be found at CNTAE’s website, http://www.topadexec.com/#a_campus.
The high profile judging panel boasts of senior executives including Mike Speranzini, Director of Advertising of GM Canada, Tankut Karahan, Vice President of Maclaren McCann, Gillian Graham, CEO of the Institute of Communication Agencies, Marion Mackenzie, President of GCI, Ishan Ghosh, Partner and CEO of Barrett and Welsh, Larry Futers, Managing Director of 7 Communications, and Pallavi Sodhi, Vice President of Oxenham Consultants, all of which are leading industry forerunners.
Students wishing to participate should consider preparing for the upcoming deadline to sign up, as the deadline for CNTAE’s first phase is January 28th 2013.
