Leeds-based marketing agency The Marketing Optimist has launched a children’s marketing competition in a bid to showcase the creative talent of youngsters across the nation.

Open to youngsters between the age of 4 and 16, the Mini Marketer Competition comprises a basic brief to design a campaign to market a sweet shop, giving entrants the chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher.

Inspired by a sweet shop created by the founder’s daughter, the brief was developed with the basic principles of marketing in mind and asks entrants to think of an attractive name for the sweet shop, identify who would buy the sweets, what makes it different, and how they could market the sweets.

Richard Michie, Director at The Marketing Optimist said: “Now more than ever, it’s important for marketing professionals to get creative and recognise that the target audience’s paint points have changed.

“Right now, children need something fun to get their teeth into, whilst parents also need things to keep their children entertained.

“We hope our competition offers a solution, and also allows children to see that the future is bright and restore faith during this unsettling time.”

Founded in 2016, The Marketing Optimist offers support with marketing strategy, website development, content writing, PR, social media, and paid advertising, and has worked with over 100 businesses on a long-term and short-term basis.

The agency hopes that the competition will highlight the positive things children are doing during lockdown, whilst also offering them the chance to learn the basics of marketing in a fun way.

Richard added: “I saw my daughter creating a sweet shop and was instantly inspired by her creativity. So many children have hidden creative talents that are waiting to be discovered, so we’ve designed the competition to nurture these talents and get children thinking about the basics of marketing.

“By showcasing their entries across social media, we hope to spread a little positivity during such an unprecedented time.”

The closing date for entries is April 30th and the winner will be the entrant that not only matches the brief, but also demonstrates creative talent with their campaign ideas.

To view the brief or to submit an entry, please visit https://www.marketingoptimist.co.uk/mini-marketer-competition/