MAD STARS 2026
MAD STARS
📌 About the Event
MAD STARS (formerly Ad Stars) is one of the world’s most influential marketing and advertising festivals. The YOUNG STARS category is a high-speed “hackathon” for creative students. After an online preliminary round where you submit your portfolio, selected finalists are flown to Busan, South Korea, to participate in a grueling 30 hour on site competition. There, you must develop a complete campaign based on a surprise brief, which is then judged by executives from global agencies like Cheil, Dentsu, and Publicis.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Category: Marketing, Advertising, and Creative Tech
- Organizer: MAD STARS Organizing Committee
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and Postgraduate students (all majors)
- Team Size: Individual or Teams of up to 2
- Effort Level: Very High (Finals involve a 30-hour “lock-in” challenge)
- Submission Type: Online Portfolio (Preliminary) -> On site Campaign (Finals)
📅 Important Dates
- Registration/Submission Deadline: 25 May, 2026
- Finalist Announcement: 9 June, 2026
- On-site Finals (Busan): 25 – 28 August, 2026
- Mode: Online Preliminary / Offline Finals in South Korea
🏆 Prize Details and Value
- Prize Type: Trophies and Career Launchpad
- Prize Amount or Value: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Crystal awards
- Certificates: Official Certificate of Completion for all finalists
- Visibility and Showcase: Direct exposure to Creative Directors from top global agencies
- Additional Perks: Internship opportunities with leading advertising firms for top winners
🎯 What You Will Do
- Curate a portfolio (PDF format) showcasing your best creative or strategic work.
- Submit your application via the official MAD STARS portal before May 25.
- Travel to Busan, South Korea, if selected as a finalist (registration fee applies only to finalists).
- Develop a marketing strategy and creative execution within 30 hours during the festival.
- Network with industry legends and peers from across the globe in a high-energy environment.