High School Marketing Challenge

For 20 years, AAF-Louisville has hosted a creative competition for high school students to learn more about what makes great marketing and advertising.

Teams of high school students are charged with developing a marketing solution to a stated advertising challenge. The teams’ primary goal is to develop creative and effective ways to reach and inform the target audience about the issue, all the while ensuring that the creative elements of the campaign are based on research and thoughtful decision-making.

Please see below for details about the 2023 High School Marketing Challenge, as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions. For additional information or to sign up for the upcoming challenge, please email HSMC@aaflouisville.org.

2023 High School Marketing Challenge Details

The American Advertising Federation of Louisville is excited to announce the 21st High School Marketing Challenge Competition!

When: Team Presentations will be held April 20, 2023

Where: Class Act Federal Credit Union

Deadline to Enter: January 31, 2023

Download the 2023 High School Marketing Challenge document to see what the challenge is all about!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Participate?
All local schools (Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, and Bullitt counties in Kentucky, and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana) that educate pupils in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in the competition: public, parochial, and private.

A maximum of four teams per school can present at the High School Marketing Challenge day in April.
When is the Competition?
The competition takes place in either the fall or spring semester. Competition dates are scheduled for November or April, on a date that accommodates school schedules
What Do the Teams Win?
Not only can students learn about many aspects of the advertising and marketing field and present their campaigns to industry professionals, they also learn a great deal about the issue. Winning teams receive trophies, certificates, cash prizes, and the first-place team has the opportunity to present at an AAF-Louisville event. Prize money is allocated per school policy.
What Are the Rules?
Each team of students will work on the same project. Each campaign presentation must include a written and oral component. Rules are outlined in a detailed challenge document and include: using sponsor logo and colors, conducting research, and incorporating a social media plan.

Download last year’s High School Marketing Challenge document to see an example (PDF).
Who Judges the Competition?
During the Challenge presentation day, students present to a panel of judges who make the final decision and determination of the winners. The judges consist of a representative from the sponsor, as well as marketing and advertising professionals from AAF-Louisville.
Can I View Presentations from Previous Challenges?
Yes! HSMC student teams produce outstanding work. See a sample of the work from recent challenges here.
Where Do I Sign Up?
Your students are up to the Challenge! Fill out the Online Form or Email HSMC@aaflouisville.org to reserve your spot today!

REGISTER HERE