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MarketingPrepared Event

IMCS

Integrated Marketing Campaign–Service

Competitors develop an integrated marketing campaign for a service offering. Given the intangible nature of services, the campaign must effectively communicate value, build trust, and leverage customer testimonials and experience-driven content.

Prep Time

Prepared

With Judge

15 min

PI Source

Marketing + BA Core

Format

Portfolio + Oral + Exam

Who Should Compete

Students interested in service marketing, B2B marketing, or healthcare/financial services marketing.

The Judge's Role

Panel of service marketing executives

Competition Format

Event structure.

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Portfolio Submission

Before competition

Submit a complete integrated marketing campaign portfolio including market research, target audience analysis, creative strategy, media plan, and projected outcomes.

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Oral Presentation

Up to 15 min

Present your campaign strategy to the judges as if pitching to a client. Highlight the big idea, channel strategy, and expected ROI.

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Objective Test

Self-paced online

A separate objective test covering Marketing and BA Core performance indicators is taken prior to the event.

Performance Indicators

What you'll be tested on.

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Services marketing (intangibility challenges)

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Trust-building and reputation management

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Word-of-mouth and referral marketing

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Content marketing for services

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Customer journey mapping

Browse all performance indicators

How to Prepare

Preparation framework.

01

Read DECA's official guidelines thoroughly

Each written event has a specific format outlined in the DECA Guide. Page limits, required sections, and formatting standards must be followed exactly.

02

Choose a meaningful, real-world topic

Judges reward authentic research with measurable data. Choose a topic you can actually research and document well.

03

Start the written entry early

Plan for multiple drafts. Have your advisor and peers review it. Written entries are scored before you arrive, they determine whether you advance.

04

Prepare a tight 10-minute pitch

The presentation is your highlight reel. Practice a structured opening, a concise walk-through of key findings, and a strong close.

05

Anticipate Q&A deep dives

Judges will probe your data sources, methodology, and assumptions. Know every number in your entry and why you made each decision.

Competition Tips

Notes from experienced competitors.

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Address the intangibility challenge directly, how do you make an invisible service tangible in your campaign?

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Customer testimonials and social proof are especially powerful in service marketing.

Ready to prep for IMCS?

Practice exams for Marketing · Review Marketing + BA Core performance indicators · Roleplay framework.