IPG Mediabrands Canada teamed up again this year with Imdoingit, in collaboration with FCB Canada, Gore Mutual, and EllisDon, to host The Verdict, a marketing case competition for Black youth across Canada with a grand prize of $10,000.

Competition participants work together for over six weeks on real-world business challenges, culminating in an in-person event at IPG Mediabrands’ Toronto offices. On January 29 the teams presented their solutions to executive leaders from across the industry. This is the third year IPG Mediabrands has partnered with Imdoingit, and the second year hosting The Verdict’s final competition event.

Imdoingit partners with organizations to attract, retain and engage ambitious black youth. The organization focuses on advancing black excellence in career and business to bridge the gaps that exist in DEI through mentorship, training and internship programs.

Partnerships like this play an important role in IPG Mediabrands’ DEI strategy, which is built on three key pillars – People, Work, and Community – with working groups to support and drive change within the organization.

Shelley Smit CEO of IPG Mediabrands, says, “The Verdict is such an incredible event, and this year did not disappoint. The participants were energized, the ideas were imaginative, and the presentations were polished to perfection. Just being in the room with the participants and the team at Imdoingit really offered us the chance to engage with the next generation of talent and hopefully inspire them to pursue a career in the industry.”

This year, a member of the winning team, Team TOA, will join IPG Mediabrands’ The Residency, a training program with full-time employment dedicated to the career development of the media industry’s new and emerging talent.