Green Marketing Challenge 2025: Inspiring Sustainable Innovation
With the goal of promoting sustainable lifestyles and empowering young people to become agents of positive change, Green Marketing Challenge 2025 (GMC 2025) was organized by AP Saigon Petro, in collaboration with InnoEx and BSSC, for university students across Ho Chi Minh City.
Under the theme “3R Oil Change for Less Plastic Waste – Cultivating a Greener Future,” the competition challenged participants to develop creative marketing and communication solutions for the 3R Automatic Oil Change Machine—an innovative technology designed to reduce plastic waste and used oil contamination while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Representing the School of Media Design (SMD), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Team WORKAHOLLY consisted of four students from the K49 cohort of the Digital Communication and Multimedia Design program:
- Truong Duc Tho – Team Leader
- Nguyen Ngoc Linh Chi
- Nguyen Minh Thu
- Duong Thi Quynh Trang
Their participation reflected not only their creativity and technical capabilities, but also their commitment to addressing environmental challenges through impactful communication initiatives.
Over the course of more than two months, participating teams underwent an intensive journey of research, strategy development, and creative production. The competition required students to move beyond theoretical learning and engage directly with real-world marketing challenges.
For Team WORKAHOLLY, the experience involved developing an integrated marketing strategy while producing a compelling TVC that could effectively communicate the value of a highly technical and innovative product to everyday consumers. This process demanded a combination of strategic thinking, storytelling, audience insight, and multimedia production skills.
Reflecting on the experience, team member Nguyen Ngoc Linh Chi shared that the competition provided a valuable opportunity to transform classroom knowledge into practical outcomes. From conceptualizing marketing strategies to filming and editing the final TVC.
Outstanding Achievement on the National Stage
The competition culminated in the Final Round and Award Ceremony, held on May 27, 2025, at Panorama Hall, Eden Star Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. The top ten teams presented their marketing strategies and TVC campaigns before a distinguished judging panel comprising experts in marketing, communications, and sustainable development.
Among the finalists, Team WORKAHOLLY made a remarkable impression by securing a place in the Top 10 Overall Teams and becoming one of only six teams recognized for producing the competition’s most outstanding viral TVCs.
This achievement is a testament to the team’s ability to combine creativity, strategic communication, and social responsibility in addressing sustainability issues through innovative media solutions. It also demonstrates the quality of education and industry-oriented training provided by SMD, where students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges and create meaningful impact.
As team member Duong Thi Quynh Trang reflected, the journey was not without obstacles. Tight deadlines, creative blocks, and scheduling difficulties tested the team’s resilience. However, through teamwork, perseverance, and a shared commitment to excellence, the students successfully transformed challenges into achievements they are proud to celebrate today.
Beyond a Competition: Growing as Future Creative Leaders
More than just a competition, GMC 2025 served as a transformative learning experience that encouraged students to develop both professional competencies and social awareness. Through their participation, students gained a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility while strengthening their strategic thinking, communication expertise, and collaborative skills.
The competition also provided valuable opportunities to connect with industry leaders, business partners, and communication professionals, enabling participants to broaden their perspectives and explore future career pathways in the creative and marketing industries.
The School of Media Design extends its heartfelt congratulations to Team WORKAHOLLY and the K49 students for their outstanding accomplishment. Their success not only brings pride to UEH but also reflects the spirit of innovation, sustainability, and community engagement that the university strives to cultivate.
As these students continue their academic and professional journeys, their achievement at GMC 2025 stands as a powerful reminder that creativity can be a catalyst for positive change—and that the next generation of designers and communicators has an important role to play in building a more sustainable future.
Tuyet Le (Choi Jin-Ri)
