UNC plans to host its annual, 24-hour student marketing competition virtually for the first time.

Participants of the “Crash Campaign” will collaborate remotely this year to pitch new strategies that will benefit businesses and nonprofits in the Chapel Hill area.

Hosted by the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Crash Campaign is a 24-hour student competition that allows participants to combine marketing, advertising, public relations and design skills to produce marketing initiatives for local businesses and nonprofits. UNC students compete in teams to research and develop these strategies before getting the chance to pitch their ideas and network with a panel of judges made up of UNC faculty and industry professionals.

Crash Campaign president Natalie Rinehard said the lack of extracurricular activities able to take place during the pandemic was a major reason why the Hussman School decided to host the competition virtually.

“We did not want to allow the pandemic to prevent us from providing these opportunities, especially when the need for them is particularly great,” Rinehard said. “As students miss out on many extracurriculars and internships and local businesses and organizations struggle, we felt determined to make sure Crash Campaign could still happen to try to alleviate some of these obstacles.”

Not only are participants able to gain experience, develop professional skills and make connections, Crash Campaign executive board member Hannah Griffin stressed the importance of the benefits the community will see.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant hardship to our community in more ways than one,” Griffin said. “Crash Campaign is thrilled to be able to work with some of these organizations, providing marketing research, strategy planning, and creative guidance at a time when communication is so crucial. We look forward to giving back to a community that’s given us so much.”

Although the competition generally takes place in the fall, this year’s will be held Feb. 26-28. While UNC will not be able to provide participants with the program’s usual t-shirts, stickers, and food vouchers, the prize for the winning team will be $1000 this year as opposed to $500. More information about Crash Campaign can be found here.

 

Lead photo courtesy of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

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