Contest to assess branding skills of young learners

In this competitive world of business, every organisation is striving to recruit graduates having unique credentials. Indeed, the differentiation comes from acquiring practical knowledge far from the conventional style of learning. The corporate scholars and practitioners have appreciated this initiative.

Web-based social networking is changing the way we convey and the way we are seen, both decidedly and contrarily. Each time you post a photograph or refresh your status, you are adding to your distinct computerised impression and individual brand. Keeping in mind the importance of branding, United International University Marketing Forum (UIUMF) conducted a unique competition, Brand Master for the second time. The competition named Brand Master 2.0 'Know me by name' was co-supported by Biotique Natural. With the vision of presenting and taking in the consistently multiplying advertising branches, UIUMF in collaboration with the UIU Career Counselling Centre (UIUCCC) arranged the event.

After the achievement of 'Market Mantra'- a meeting on various ways and thoughts on advertising, the youths of UIU Marketing Forum propelled a mission to make a pathway for the future wizards of marketing.

About the competition

Brand Master is an inter-university advertising and marking competition, which was started with an intra-university round. The competition is fundamentally in light of branding specific components which incorporate the arrangement of different marketing media and techniques. Additionally, web-based social networking promoting open connection and direct deals were also included in this year's competition. The teams had to prepare a propagative plan for one year, and their imaginative examples were displayed on the last day. Teams were formed consisting of three individuals.

This competition hoped to give a platform to contenders to test and exhibit their promoting aptitudes. A competitive marketing crusade took place among the undergraduate students of various universities around the country.

More than 100 teams partook in the competition this year. With the assistance of their club accomplices, UIUMF members went to every nook and corner of the country. Its club partners included the Marketing Club of North South University, IUT Career and Business Society-IUT, Khulna University Business Club, State University Marketing Club, East West University Business Club,  BUTEX Business Club, IBA Communication Club, Army IBA Business and Leadership Club, Dhaka University Career Club, SUST Career Club, ULAB Business Club, BUET Career Club, IBA Jahangirnagar Business Club, Rajshahi University Business Club, IUB E-Business Club, BRAC University Business Club, BUP Business and Communication Club, etc.

As many as 87 teams from 19 universities participated in this branding competition. The competition involved two workshops conducted by veteran practitioners of the country.

The partners of this competition are RTV (online media partner), Nescafe (beverage partner), Igloo (ice cream partner), Radio SHADHIN 92.4 (radio partner), Geeky Social (strategic partner), the Financial Express (print media partner), Golpo (photography partner), Uro Oranjee (snacks partner), Creative Creation (creative partner) and Ha-ja-ba-ra-la (promo partner).

The grand finale

UIU Marketing Forum organised 'Grand Finale of Brand Master- Season 2.0' on Saturday, 12 May 2018 at United International University. The task of the finale was to give a presentation to the high profile judges panel of Brand Master. The teams were given topics and requirements needed for the presentation at the second workshop.

Professor Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, vice chancellor of UIU, presided over grand finale of Brand Master.  Syed Gousul Alam Shaon, managing partner and country head of Grey Advertising Bangladesh Limited, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, producer and director of Half Stop Down, Md Zaved Parvez, vice president- Resource and Employers Branding- Human Resources of Robi Axiata Limited and Surayya Siddiqua, head of Marketing and Communication of International Consumer Product (ICP) were present in the programme as guests of honour.

Following a tough competition, Team Arcenine from Islamic University of Technology (IUT) was declared  the champion of the competition. They received a crest and prize money of Tk 50,000. Team Empressario from United International University (UIU) and Team MR from Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka (IBA, DU) were declared as the first and second runner-up respectively. The first runner-up received a crest and prize money of Tk. 30,000, while the second runner-up received a crest and prize money of Tk. 20,000.

The winners expressed their feelings by saying that they had learned a lot from the whole competition. All the teams acknowledged the work of the efficient organising body that left no stones unturned to ensure the successful completion of the competition.

The writer is currently studying at United International University and is also the head of Public Relations of UIU Marketing Forum. He can be reached at    [email protected]