In a country teeming with youthful talent and a thriving marketing business, the recent conclusion of Bangladesh’s first-ever Marketing Olympiad represents a significant milestone. A trailblazing event – presented by Walton and powered by American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in association with The Daily Star – has opened new doors for budding marketers and highlighted the enormous potential of an untapped sector. The Marketing Olympiad not only offered a venue for students to demonstrate their talents and knowledge, but also acted as a catalyst for developing their marketing acumen, preparing them for the industry’s changing challenges. To empower the next generation and unlock their creative potential, this ground-breaking competition has ushered in a new era of marketing excellence in Bangladesh.
The event, organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum and initiated by the Marketing Society of Bangladesh, aimed to assess the knowledge and potential of rising marketers through a series of stages and rounds. It received a tremendous response from students of different institutions, witnessing 13,456 registrations between May 8 -14. Among them, 9,437 of these pupils attempted the first round. The Olympiad consisted of four rounds to test contestants’ marketing knowledge and skills. The participants also got an opportunity to attend Marketing Olympiad’s day-long Bootcamp. It aimed to coach the participants on grooming, voice coaching, case brief, report preparation & marketing-based theories and applications.
The first round of the Olympiad took place between May 15-17, featuring Multiple-Choice and Logo Recognition Questions. The top 500 participants were shortlisted for the second round of the competition on May 20. It consisted of an Abbreviation Test based on marketing terms, a “Guess the Tagline” challenge and Analytical Math Questions. The top 103 students were selected to attend the enlightening Bootcamp, which was held on May 23.
The Bootcamp consisted of five sessions meant to equip participants with important insights and improve their marketing abilities. WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC’s Chief Marketing Officer, Didarul Alam Khan, led the first session on “Marketing Strategy.” The second session was given by Tanzeen Alam, Chief Marketing Officer of Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd., and focused on “Branding Strategy.” Risalat Siddique, Chairman (The Man of Steel) of Analyzen, led the third session on “Digital Marketing & Media Strategy.” Syeda Umme Salma Jhumur, Executive Vice President of Melonades, spoke about “Content Strategy” at the fourth session. Finally, Backpage PR Agency Lead and Director Tanziral Dilshad Ditan led a seminar on “PR & Reputation Management.”
Immediately after the Bootcamp, the participants attended Round 3. It consisted of a Case Competition and Presentation, with a deadline of May 24. Finally, the top 15 Participants went through a gala round at AIUB.
The climax of the Marketing Olympiad, the Tournament Gala Round, promised an intense showdown as the finalists competed to showcase their marketing acumen. The day began with participants arriving at the venue and completing the registration process. After settling in, the organizers provided an introduction to the Tournament Gala Round, explaining the structure and rules of the session. The first round commenced with a high-paced, Rapid Fire Question segment. Each finalist faced a barrage of 15 questions, with only 90 seconds to answer. The questions covered a range of marketing topics and required quick thinking and expertise. For every correct answer, participants earn one mark. At the end of this round, three participants with the lowest scores were eliminated, narrowing down the field. The remaining finalists advanced to the Topic-Based Questions round, which aimed to evaluate their knowledge in specific areas of marketing. Each finalist selected a topic from a pool of ten broad areas. They faced five challenging questions related to their chosen topic. Each correct answer earned them ten marks. At the end of this round, two participants with the lowest scores bid farewell, leaving behind the top five contenders.
The stage was set for the most exhilarating segment of the Tournament Gala Round – the Buzzer Round. In this fast-paced showdown, the top five finalists faced off against each other to secure the maximum number of points. A total of 35 questions were fired at the participants, testing their marketing expertise, critical thinking, and lightning-fast reflexes. The first participant to press the buzzer earned the opportunity to answer the question. A correct response added one mark to their score, while an incorrect answer resulted in a one-point deduction. However, if the first responder provided an incorrect answer, another participant could seize the opportunity and attempt the question for a bonus mark. It was a battle of wits and quick reactions, where every second mattered. Importantly, there was no negative marking, ensuring participants could take calculated risks without fear of penalty.
After the electrifying Buzzer Round, participants and spectators anxiously awaited the highly anticipated moment—the announcement of the winners. At 12:30 PM, the winners were revealed, and the much-deserved recognition was bestowed upon the top achievers. Nadia Hossain from North South University made history by emerging as the winner of the Marketing Olympiad. Shirsha Rohan Roy and Mohtasim Bin Habib from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka, secured first and second runner-up positions. The top three participants showcased their exceptional marketing acumen and were rewarded with cash prizes of BDT 100,000, BDT 75,000, and BDT 50,000, respectively. The remaining finalists in the top 10 were also recognized with exciting gifts.
The inaugural Marketing Olympiad in Bangladesh proved to be an important venue for developing and recognising young marketing talent. The project intended to equip young marketers to think critically and build successful marketing strategies through a rigorous selection process, engaging Bootcamp sessions, and a succession of tough rounds. As the Marketing Olympiad concluded, the marketing community celebrated the exceptional individuals who demonstrated their abilities, setting a benchmark for aspiring marketers in Bangladesh.
Walton Presents Marketing Olympiad Powered by American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB), in Association with The Daily Star, is an initiative of the Marketing Society of Bangladesh. Organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum, Marketing Olympiad is held in Partnership with Asia Marketing Federation & International Advertising Association – Bangladesh. Event Partner – Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd.; Strategic Partner – Marketers’ Institute of Bangladesh (MIB); Broadcast Partner – Deepto TV; Technology Partner – aamra Technologies Limited and PR partner – Backpage PR.
