*Insurance Professionals Learn How to Get Involved Here.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winners for Driving Next Gen to Insurance Careers! Check out their winning videos below.
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First PlaceRayyan Khan, Rayhan Raj and Nikhil Sivanthi from Reedy High School.Reedy High School in Texas. Second PlaceArjun Jayaraman, Aanya Kakrecha and Aradhya Muthumula from Penta-Anthony Wayne High School in Ohio. Tied Third PlaceParis McKenzie and Ellen Nibishaka from South Gwinnett High School in Georgia. Tied Third PlaceJohn Paul Kukulka, Aarna Tiwari and Saksham Varshney from Ravenwood High School in Tennessee.
Our Next Challenge Opens December 10, 2025
REAL WORLD READY:
What every 18-year-old should know about insurance before life hits
THE CHALLENGE
You are a creative marketing team focused on educating and empowering young adults. Your latest task is to develop a video campaign to help young adults ranging between 18 and 22 (Gen Z) understand the real-world importance of insurance as they step into adulthood.
Gen Z is entering a new phase of life – getting their first jobs, buying cars, signing leases, traveling, and managing their own finances. Yet most have little to no understanding of what insurance is, why it matters, or how it impacts their daily lives. Your task is to design a bold marketing campaign that answers the question: “What should every 18-year-old know about insurance before entering the real world?"
Your campaign should:
- Break down the basics of insurance in a relatable away
- Highlight how insurance protects one's lifestyle, goals and financial future
- Use creative ways to make the message stick
- Debunk insurance myths and show how insurance is relevant now and in the future
- BONUS: Include an insurance professional
Printable Version of Challenge Available Here. NOTE FOR BPA AND DECA STUDENTS
You may only submit (1) entry for the Real World Ready Challenge. We strongly encourage you to submit your entry through your student organizations student challenge portal that also opens December 10, 2025
*BPA students click here.
*DECA students click here. ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- This challenge consists of two major parts: insurance knowledge and the video presentation.
- Each team should be comprised of two to four high school students.
- Participants will present their campaign in a video that is between 3 to 5 minutes.
- Submissions must be completed through the online registration form available here.
- Submissions must be received no later than February 6, 2026 to be eligible for awards.
- All entries will be evaluated to determine the top three submissions.
- Late entries and entries with videos over five minutes will be disqualified.
- Please note teams must be based in the United States.
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
I. Introduction
a. Identify which types of insurance your campaign will focus on and why they are relevant to Gen Z.
b. Identify your target audience including demographics.
c. Describe key marketing strategies your team will use to connect with Gen Z and stand out from traditional insurance messaging.
d. Describe how you will change the perception of insurance from boring and confusing to empowering and essential.
II. Proposed Marketing Campaign
a. Clearly define the goal of the campaign
b. Proposed key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of your campaign.
c. Incorporate social, print and/or email direct marketing strategies.
d. Include project proposal outlining the budget, timeline, campaign expectations, potential challenges.
III. Overall Presentation
a. Focus on key points to stay within 3-5 minute time frame
b. Be visually creative when presenting the marketing campaign
c. Ensure your campaign is relevant to the target audience
d. Animation and special effects may be used to enhance your overall video presentation
e. Consistent volume with audible voices, playback video speed at normal
BONUS: Include an insurance professional
TIMELINE
- Entry submissions begin December 10, 2025
- Submission deadline is February 6, 2026
- The top 3 teams will be announced by March 13, 2026.
- Each winning team will be presented their official award in person or virtually by a member of the National Invest Team.
AWARDS
The top three teams will be recognized virtually by the National Invest Board. NOTE: Any duplicate team submissions will be disqualified.
NATIONAL GRAND PRIZE: $1,500 cash prize
The national grand prize winning team will also be featured on Invest’s Hall of Fame webpage viewed by insurance business professionals nationwide. In addition, the winning video will be featured on Invest and Invest company partner social media platforms. Lastly, each winner interested in pursuing an insurance career will also be eligible for an Invest classroom to career scholarship. The scholarship will provide a $500 reimbursement for insurance related continued education including insurance pre-licensing courses, certifications, designations and/or collegiate course work focused on insurance and/or risk management. For those interested in pursuing an insurance certification or designation please visit The Institutes and/or The Risk and Insurance Education Alliance to learn more.
SECOND PLACE: $700 cash prize
The second-place winning team will also be featured on Invest’s Hall of Fame webpage viewed by insurance business professionals nationwide. In addition, the winning video will be featured on Invest and Invest company partner social media platforms. Lastly, each winner interested in pursuing an insurance career will also be eligible for an Invest classroom to career scholarship. The scholarship will provide a $500 reimbursement for insurance related continued education including insurance pre-licensing courses, certifications, designations and/or collegiate course work focused on insurance and/or risk management. For those interested in pursuing an insurance certification or designation please visit The Institutes and/or The Risk and Insurance Education Alliance to learn more.
THIRD PLACE: $500 cash prize
The third-place winning team will also be featured on Invest’s Hall of Fame webpage viewed by insurance business professionals nationwide. In addition, the winning video will be featured on Invest and Invest company partner social media platforms. Lastly, each winner interested in pursuing an insurance career will also be eligible for an Invest classroom to career scholarship. The scholarship will provide a $500 reimbursement for insurance related continued education including insurance pre-licensing courses, certifications, designations and/or collegiate course work focused on insurance and/or risk management. For those interested in pursuing an insurance certification or designation please visit The Institutes and/or The Risk and Insurance Education Alliance to learn more.
NOTE TO TEACHERS
If your students produce a winning submission, Invest will also provide breakfast or lunch to your classroom in honor of you and the winners!
QUESTIONS?
Please reach out to our Invest team
Tania Johnson, Education Program Manager, tania.johnson@iiaba.net
Whitnee Dillard, Executive Director, whitnee.dillard@iiaba.net
Johanna Holling, Volunteer Relations Program Manager, johanna.holling@iiaba.net