BrandRush 2026: Creativity, Strategy & Brand Battles at PES University

On February 16, 2026, the Faculty of Management and Commerce at PES University, Electronic City Campus, hosted BrandRush, an energetic and immersive marketing event designed to push students beyond traditional classroom learning. Held at the MRD Student Center and Mech 306, the event challenged participants to think like modern marketers—creative, strategic, agile, and brand‑savvy.

With a focus on real‑world branding challenges, digital marketing tools, and crisis‑handling scenarios, BrandRush provided students with a dynamic platform to apply theoretical concepts in a competitive, fast‑paced environment.

Expert Evaluation for Real-World Learning
The event was judged by two seasoned marketing professionals

• Mr. Vijay Shenoy
• Mr. Sumit Dutta

Their expertise added credibility, depth, and industry relevance to the evaluation process. They offered students constructive, insightful feedback that enriched the learning experience.

Brand Wars: Three Rounds of Strategic Competition
BrandRush was structured into three engaging competitive rounds, each designed to assess a different dimension of branding, communication, and strategic thinking. The overarching theme — “Brand Wars” — set the tone for intense, imaginative, and high‑impact competition.

Round 1: Meme Wars
The first round brought creativity and digital culture to the forefront.

Teams were assigned brands and challenged to create memes that improved brand visibility, relatability, and perception.

This round tested

• Creativity
• Brand understanding
• Audience insight
• Ability to use humour strategically
• Digital engagement skills

Participants showcased how memes can serve as powerful marketing tools, especially for brands targeting younger demographics.

Round 2: Product Relaunch
Round 2 simulated a high‑stakes marketing environment using an auction‑based challenge.

Teams bid on products within a time limit and then designed a complete relaunch strategy, which included

• Promotional reels
• Brand communication concepts
• Positioning strategies
• Integrated marketing plans

This round evaluated

• Strategic thinking
• Budgeting decisions
• Creative execution
• Understanding of market dynamics
• Ability to craft compelling brand narratives

Students demonstrated impressive resourcefulness in transforming ordinary products into refreshed, market‑ready offerings.

Round 3: Crisis Management
The final round featured the top five teams, who were presented with brand‑specific crisis scenarios tied to their Round 1 brand allocations.

Scenarios included PR challenges, brand‑image threats, and consumer backlash situations requiring

• Quick analysis
• Strategic communication
• Reputation management
• High‑pressure decision‑making

Teams proposed solutions that balanced brand integrity, transparency, and long-term reputation.

A High-Energy Event That Brought Branding to Life
BrandRush successfully blended creativity, strategy, and industry relevance. Students experienced first-hand how brands communicate, evolve, defend, and reinvent themselves in an ever‑changing marketplace.

The event not only encouraged healthy competition but also strengthened essential marketing skills such as

• Creative thinking
• Strategic planning
• Consumer psychology
• Crisis communication
• Storytelling
• Team collaboration

With its immersive format and expert-led evaluation, BrandRush 2026 was truly a celebration of marketing brilliance and student talent.