Annually a corporate sponsor provides a case study outlining the history of its product and current advertising situation. The case study reflects a real world situation to challenge students’ critical thinking abilities and creativity. Students must research the product and its competition, identify potential problems and develop an integrated communications campaign for the client. Each student team then “pitches” its campaign to a panel of judges.

The AAF is divided into 15 districts, each containing one to five states. Additionally, a 16th “virtual” district will be competing this year. Each district holds a regional competition in April. The Virtual District’s competition will be held online during the same period and allow teams to participate in the regional competition without leaving their campuses. The winning team in each district, including the virtual district, and one wild card team then advances to compete on the national level at the AAF National Conference in May.

Judging is conducted by professionals in the communications industry. Judges at the national level are selected from the client and their advertising agencies. Year after year, some districts will have as many as 22 teams competing. More than 150 colleges and universities take on the NSAC challenge each year on a national level.

The competition is governed by the AAF Education Services department and the AAF Academic Division, a group of advertising educators and practitioners from across the country, who oversee the policies and procedures of the competitions. These members ensure that there is a level playing field and that the competition demonstrates the highest academic and professional standards.

For more information about NSAC, contact the Director of Operations.