JPM Next-Gen Challenge Contest 2026: Call for Entries Opens August 1 for Students and Young Professionals to Showcase Innovative Promotional Marketing Ideas

News Release

July 15, 2026

The Japan Promotional Marketing Association (Chairman: Yoshiki Numano) announces the launch of the 'JPM Next-Gen Challenge Contest 2026,' aimed at nurturing and discovering next-generation talent in the field of promotional marketing. Entry submissions will be accepted from Saturday, August 1, 2026, to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Launched in 2024, this industry-academia co-creation initiative targets the next generation—students and young professionals—to revitalize and raise awareness of the promotional marketing industry. The contest welcomes innovative ideas for promotional business strategies that connect consumers with companies, organizations, and society, driving behavioral changes such as purchasing decisions.

Features of the 'JPM Next-Gen Challenge Contest 2026'

Open to both students and working professionals under 29

Participants include graduate students, university students, junior college students, and vocational school students, as well as working professionals under the age of 29.

Individuals or groups (up to three members) can compete.

Two Entry Tracks: 'Planning' and 'Production'

Entry A (Next-Gen Marketing & Promotion Planning):

Focuses on strategic thinking, logical structure, and overall storytelling, submitted in PowerPoint format.

Entry B (Next-Gen Creative Promotion Production):

Emphasizes tangible outputs such as event design, store layouts, and displays, submitted as A3 landscape sheet designs.

Challenge Themes

Participants must select one of the following themes for their proposal:

1. Sponsored Company Challenge: Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. – 'DONBURI-TEI Box Type'

Seeking practical promotional proposals to expand demand, increase purchase volume, and create year-round consumption opportunities for 'DONBURI-TEI,' a retort rice bowl kit known for its high-quality ingredients and flavor.

2. Open Challenge: Propose Solutions to Social or Corporate Issues

Open to original ideas using advanced technologies (e.g., AI, metaverse) or revitalization strategies for products or stores of personal interest.

Judging Criteria and Process

1. Problem Solving (Logic)

Clarity in logical justification and the pathway to behavioral change in response to the question: 'Why is this being done?'

2. Originality and Foresight (Creativity)

Uniqueness in breaking existing frameworks and vision oriented toward the next generation (near future)

3. Feasibility (Reality)

Ideas must go beyond concept, demonstrating practicality with consideration for brand value and available resources

Final nominees will be selected through a two-stage process: first-round (document screening) and second-round (industry expert review).

(Applicants will be notified by mid-to-late November)

Final Judging: Presentation and Q&A session, followed by a final deliberation among all judges.

Event Overview and Schedule

Submission Period: August 1 (Sat), 2026 – October 13 (Tue), 2026, 23:59 JST

Entry Fee: Free

How to Apply: Submit via Google Form, available on the JPM Association website starting August 1 (Sat)

Chief Judge: Tatsuyuki Shimaoka (Chair, JPM Next-Gen Career Creation Committee / Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.)

Final Judging Session (Presentation, Evaluation, Announcement):

Date: December 16, 2026 (Wed)

Venue: Room 3, 4th Floor, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Building

Nominee Exhibition:

Dates: December 16 (Wed) – December 18 (Fri), 2026

Venue: Inside the '55th JPM Show 2026' exhibition hall, 3rd Floor, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Building

Awards

Winners will be announced at the final judging session on the same day

Promotional Marketing Grand Award (1): Prize of 100,000 JPY

Promotional Marketing Marketing Award (1): Prize of 50,000 JPY

Promotional Marketing Creative Award (1): Prize of 50,000 JPY

Promotional Marketing Special Sponsor Award (1): Prize of 20,000 JPY

※Awards will also be presented at the 'JPM Awards Ceremony' scheduled for early February 2027.

Application Guidelines and Details

For more information, please visit the JPM Association website.

Contest Details Page: https://jpm-inc.jp/exhibition/young-2/

Association Website: https://jpm-inc.jp/

Japan Promotional Marketing Association

An association composed of member companies from various industries involved in driving consumer behavior toward purchasing. Established in 1969, the association conducts educational programs, research and development, certification exams, contests, awards, and exhibitions.

Official Website

Redirects to JPM Official Website

Contact for Inquiries:

Japan Promotional Marketing Association Contact: Egasumi Email: [email protected]