Kansai University Students Participate in “AD HERE 2025–2026” and Win 1st Runner-up

The advertising competition “AD HERE 2025–2026,” organized by Hong Kong Baptist University, was held to mark its 20th anniversary under the theme “Ignite Your Passion.” The program was conducted as an international collaboration with Kansai University.

This year, three teams from Hong Kong Baptist University and two teams from Kansai University (five Japanese students and three international students) participated. Students worked in teams composed of members from different nationalities and academic backgrounds, developing advertising proposals based on a corporate brief. Within a limited timeframe, they refined their ideas through discussion and collaboration, turning them into concrete campaign concepts.

With the support of KAO (HK), students designed promotional strategies for the company’s lifestyle products. Each team carried out market analysis, concept development, and creative production, and presented their work as well-developed campaign proposals. Representatives from KAO International in Tokyo joined online and provided professional feedback from an industry perspective.

As a result, the team “Iwamoto,” composed of students from the Iwamoto Seminar in the Faculty of Business and Commerce at Kansai University, was awarded 1st Runner-up. Although they did not take first place, their approach to the problem and unique perspectives were highly evaluated, demonstrating a strong presence among the international teams.

Through this program, students gained hands-on experience in the full process from planning to presentation based on real business challenges. By working in international teams, they developed the ability to articulate their ideas and refine them through collaboration with others from different cultural backgrounds.

Kansai University will continue to expand opportunities for practical, internationally collaborative learning in partnership with overseas universities and industry. The experience gained through this program is expected to lead to further development in future initiatives.