Media Plan Case Competition

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington Media Scholars Foundation

Introduction The Media Plan Case Competition is the flagship program of the Washington Media Scholars Foundation. It pushes students to apply strategic thinking to media buying, audience targeting, metrics and budget allocation. Finalists earn an all-expenses-paid, week-long professional development trip to Washington, D.C., where they vie for the National Excellence in Media Award and share in $18,500 in scholarship awards. Overview and Prize - The Media Scholars Media Plan Case Competition runs across multiple rounds at the national level. - Participants produce strategic media plans based on a hypothetical public policy issue, using real data from leading research and ratings providers. - Teams of two compete in later rounds; individuals may enter the Qualifying Round and — if they advance — will be paired with a partner by the Foundation. - Of the advancing teams, six finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. to present their work and contend for the National Excellence in Media Award and the Mia Guion Scholarship. A total of $18,500 in scholarships will be awarded. Competition Structure 1. Qualifying Round - The Qualifying Round introduces basic media-planning principles and helps judges identify submissions that demonstrate the strongest potential for a competitive media plan. - Entries may be submitted individually or as two-person teams for this round. Authors of the top 25–30 qualifying submissions will be invited to participate in the 2025 Media Plan Case Competition. - From those advancing, six teams will be selected later as finalists to travel to D.C. 2. Case Competition (Semifinals and Finals) - In semifinal and final phases, two-person teams develop a strategic media plan addressing a fictional public policy challenge, incorporating real-world audience and measurement data. - Recognizing that some students may not have extensive media-planning experience, the Foundation provides a step-by-step participation guide and a recommended reading list to help prepare entrants. How to Apply and Important Dates 1. Register for the Qualifying Round - Complete the registration form (link provided on the competition page) to indicate your intent to compete. You may register as an individual or as a two-person team. If you enter alone and advance, the Washington Media Scholars Foundation will assign you a teammate. 2. Submit the Qualifying Round Entry - Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST. - Upload your submission via the designated form. Individual entries are permitted for this phase; advancing individual entrants will be matched with partners by the Foundation. 3. Semifinalist Notification - Semifinalists will be announced on or before February 9, 2026. 4. Review Semifinal Materials - After being named a semifinalist, review the provided documents and resources. Note that semifinalist teams must prepare and upload their full Media Plans. 5. Submit Your Media Plan (Semifinal Round) - Deadline: March 23, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST. - Upload your Media Plan using the submission form. If you encounter technical issues, you may email your documents to info@mediascholars.org by the deadline. 6. Finalist Selection and Media Scholars Week - Six finalist teams will be selected and notified on or by April 6, 2026. - Finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 7–12, 2026, to participate in Media Scholars Week. Activities include networking with media organizations and career-prep/professional development sessions led by national experts, with additional virtual sessions hosted in late May. - Final presentations and judging will occur on June 11, 2026, followed by the awards presentation that same day. Contact If you need assistance with submissions or have questions, email info@mediascholars.org. Notes - Teams that advance from the Qualifying Round may be formed by applicant pairings or by Foundation matching for solo entrants. - All deadlines are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).