Your Real-World Test Awaits: The 2025 Student Food Marketing Challenge
Step out of the classroom and into the boardroom. The Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) invites the next generation of industry leaders to take on our annual Student Food Marketing Challenge. This is your opportunity to tackle a live case study from a real firm, develop an innovative marketing strategy, and present your solution to a panel of industry experts.
Are you ready to prove your skills?
Build Your Resume, Network, and Compete for the Top Prize
The Student Marketing Challenge is more than a competition; it’s a career-building experience. By participating, you and your team will:
- Solve a Real-World Problem Go beyond theory to analyze a complex challenge facing an existing company in the food distribution value chain and propose a tangible, strategic solution.
- Master High-Performance Teamwork Collaborate under pressure, leveraging the diverse skills of your teammates to develop a cohesive and powerful marketing plan within a short timeframe.
- Develop Persuasive Presentation Skills Craft and deliver a compelling 10-minute presentation that effectively communicates your team’s solution and convinces judges of its value.
- Think On Your Feet Field questions from a panel of seasoned industry professionals and academics, defending your strategy and demonstrating your expertise.
- Network with Industry Leaders Gain invaluable exposure by presenting to FDRS members, conference attendees, and executives who serve as judges and mentors.
From Registration to the Final Presentation
The competition is structured in two main phases: a preliminary video submission round and an in-person final round for the top three teams at the FDRS Annual Conference.
Assemble Your Team
To be eligible to compete, your team must meet the following criteria:
- Team Size: Consist of 3 to 5 students.
- Student Composition: Teams may be composed of both undergraduate and master’s students.
- Undergraduate Majority: The majority of members on each team must be undergraduate students (e.g., a 5-person team can have no more than 2 master’s students).
- Registration: Teams must pay the required registration fee before the deadline to be eligible.
Competition Rules and Evaluation
- Coaching: Faculty coaches are encouraged to prepare their teams before the competition begins. However, to ensure a fair test of the students’ own abilities, no coaching or outside guidance is permitted on the day of the in-person final competition.
- Preliminary Round: Each team will create and submit a link to a 10-minute video presenting their solution. Videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges, and penalties will apply for exceeding the time limit.
- Final Round: The top three teams will present live at the FDRS conference. This round consists of a 10-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the judging panel.
- Judging Panel: Judges are selected from the FDRS membership, conference attendees, and industry experts. Whenever possible, an executive from the case study firm will be part of the final judging panel.
- Feedback: All participating teams will receive their average scores and any written feedback provided by the judges after the competition concludes.
Ready to Compete?
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talent, build your professional portfolio, and connect with the food distribution industry.
Registration closes Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Questions?
For any inquiries regarding the 2025 Student Food Marketing Challenge, please contact the contest chair: Dr. Hannah E. Shear hshear@okstate.edu
