York students qualify as finalists in Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec

Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec has announced the top 10 finalist teams in the nationwide marketing and advertising case competition, with three teams of students from York University making the cut.

Hand-picked from 142 teams representing 25 schools across Canada, these finalists are one step closer to claiming victory. On March 26 in Toronto, the top 10 teams will go head-to-head to impress industry elites and academic judges for a chance to win a grand prize of $30,000.

Student teams from York University include: Jenisha Pudaisini, Marta Michalek and Philip Gingras; and Selina Cozzupoli and Tiana Noce – five of Canada’s brightest marketing minds. They will represent the University and showcase their innovative ideas to prove they are the next generation of marketing leaders. Toronto is no stranger to this competition, and York students have continued to make it into the top 10 year after year.

The competition in Toronto is fierce, as finalists will pitch their big ideas in front of a panel of top industry executives from companies such as Canadian Tire, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Fujifilm, Canada Post, Microsoft, Cadbury, Cascades, Environics and more. Business students from across the country have been challenged to create an integrated marketing plan for the launch of Canadian Tire’s new affinity loyalty program. Students will receive feedback and insights from senior marketing professionals and some of the most respected academic leaders in Canada.

The finals and the awards gala will include innovative ideas from the top 10 presentations and an evening of networking with high-level industry professionals, media and Canada’s finest business students. The final round of presentations takes place on March 26 at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto.

Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec is a nationwide case competition run by McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. Its mission is to create learning opportunities for postsecondary business students across Canada by bridging the gap between the classroom and the marketing industry. The competition is entirely student run, with generous support from organizations and advisers. The 2018 program partners include Canadian Tire, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Fujifilm, Labatt, Canada Post, Microsoft, Cadbury, Barrett and Welsh, Cascades, Environics, Digital AdLab, FluidReview and Dentsu Aegis Network.

More information about the competition can be found on the Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec website, on Facebook or by following @TopAdExec on Twitter.