IIDE’s Digital Marketing Academic Challenge (DMAC) has evolved into a launchpad for the next generation of marketing leaders.
DMAC 2025
The Digital Marketing Academic Challenge (DMAC) 2025, powered by IIDE - The Digital School (in collaboration with FCB Kinnect), cemented its status as one of India’s premier platforms for young marketing talent. Designed to test creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, the competition brought together the country’s brightest minds, giving them a real-world battleground to showcase their skills.
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This year, DMAC was bigger than ever, with 4,500+ participants forming 500+ teams from India’s top institutions. The competition spanned Mumbai and Delhi, kicking off with the Pitch Perfect round and culminating in the Final Showdown at IIDE’s campuses on March 1, 2025.
More than a competition, DMAC replicated real-world marketing challenges. In Round 1, participants delivered high-impact elevator pitches, presenting digital solutions for leading brands. Finalists faced an even bigger test - developing a comprehensive, digital-first marketing strategy and campaign for the same brand.
The talent on display set DMAC apart. Students from premier institutions - including Lady Shri Ram College, VIPS, and Institute of Information Technology and Management (IITM) in Delhi, and Raheja College, K.C. College, Hinduja College, and H.R. College in Mumbai - battled fiercely. Every stage saw students pushing their limits to outthink their rivals.
Adding to the prestige was the caliber of brands that students worked on. Participants tackled real problem statements from global giants like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Uber, Amul, and Netflix, as well as homegrown leaders like Zomato, Sugar, and Lenskart. The opportunity to strategize for such industry leaders brought an added level of practical exposure.
To refine their strategies, participants received mentorship from industry veterans. In Delhi, Mehul Suri (Media Director, Vayner Media) and Abhinav Bhatnagar (Founder, Class Study) lent their expertise, while Mumbai’s finalists benefited from the insights of Saurav Das (Creative Director, FCB Kinnect), Sean Andrade (Sr. Trainer, IIDE), and Dinesh Sajnani (Head of Academics, IIDE).
For many, these interactions were a turning point. Bhoomika Chawla from St. Xavier’s College, part of the winning team, shared: “We enjoyed every moment of the campaign planning process. The feedback we received from Sean sir after Round 1 changed the game for us.”
After multiple fierce rounds, three teams emerged victorious in each city. Team Outliers from Lady Shri Ram College secured the Delhi title, while Team BMP from St. Xavier’s College triumphed in Mumbai. DMAC 2025 went beyond competition - it transformed ideas into execution, challenging students to solve real brand problems with a customer-centric, omnichannel approach. The outcome? Shaping future-ready marketers. Winners received up to ₹50,000 in cash prizes, trophies, certificates, and IIDE hampers, along with a career-defining internship at FCB Kinnect.
With a record 78% increase in participation compared to last year, DMAC 2025 set a new benchmark. The shift to a fully offline format fostered stronger engagement between students, mentors, and judges, making the experience more immersive.
More than just a competition, IIDE’s Digital Marketing Academic Challenge (DMAC) has evolved into a launchpad for the next generation of marketing leaders. With anticipation already building for DMAC 2026, one thing is clear - the future of marketing is in very capable hands.
Established in 2016, IIDE has trained over 2,50,000 students and professionals, positioning itself as a pioneer in digital marketing education. With a mission to bridge the gap between traditional education and industry needs, IIDE offers customized programs that cater to the diverse learning requirements of its students, including its flagship PG Program in Digital Marketing. DMAC, as part of IIDE’s broader mission, serves as a platform that identifies young marketing talent and nurtures future-ready marketers by providing real-world experience and exposure to industry experts.
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