Brand ENgaegment with campus

College festivals, competitions, and cultural activities offer brands a powerful platform to connect with young, dynamic audiences. Sponsorships not only help brands gain visibility but also create lasting engagement with students through relevant and meaningful contributions. Below are some innovative ways brands can actively participate in and sponsor college events.

Akshay Shah (Founder & CEO of GenZDealZ.ai) Judging Thadomal Shahani College of Engineering Mumbai judging Codestorm

Akshay Shah Judging Thadomal Shahani College of Engineering Mumbai judging Codestorm

 

Judging the Competition

One of the most impactful contributions a brand can make is by providing qualified judges for competitions. This ensures professional, unbiased evaluations and adds credibility to the event.

Example: Recently, Akshay Shah was invited as a judge for CODE Storm at Thadomal Shahani College of Engineering. He reviewed the problem statements, picked the winning team, and infused industry knowledge into the judging process.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Distribute brand vouchers to participants.

  • Secure speaking slots (e.g., a 10-minute brand/business pitch to the audience).

  • Build future collaborations with colleges for annual fests or recurring involvement.

Winner Prize Distribution

Brands can amplify their presence by sponsoring attractive prizes for winners. This not only motivates participants but ensures direct brand association with success and achievement.

Example: GenZDealZ.ai partnered as a rewarding sponsor, offering subscription vouchers tailored to the winners’ rankings. For instance, top 3 winners received premium vouchers, while runner-ups were given smaller but high-value rewards.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Gift cards, digital vouchers, or premium subscriptions.

  • Tiered rewards based on performance levels.

  • Branding on prize certificates or announcement banners.

GenZDealZ.ai banner at KJ Somaiya Campus GenZDealZ.ai banner at KJ Somaiya Campus GenZDealZ.ai banner at KJ Somaiya Campus

Digital Standee & Firewall Placements

Brands can opt for strategic visibility by booking digital standee space or firewall sections on a college’s admission or fee portal. These pop-ups, integrated with QR codes, make it seamless for students to access brand platforms.

Advantages:

  • QR code-enabled standees drive instant engagement.

  • Firewalls redirect new students via UTM tracking to brand websites.

  • Access to a wider audience, including alumni, through promotional emails sent to college mailing lists.

In the absence of digital infrastructure, brands can place physical standees at high-footfall spots on campus to draw attention from students.

Fest Stall Sponsorship

Setting up a branded stall during college fests creates direct interaction with students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With engaging activities, brands can foster curiosity and build loyalty.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Collaborate with the college fest committee to design fun games and activities.

  • Offer instant rewards for participation to drive footfall on Day 1.

  • Use volunteers to create excitement and assist visitors with brand information.

Interactive stalls become experiential touchpoints that transform casual fest attendees into active brand participants.

By combining credibility (judging), aspiration (winnerprizes), visibility (digital/physical presence), and engagement (fest stalls), brands can create a multifaceted sponsorship strategy that resonates with students and builds long-term goodwill on campus.

Wol3D WA Campaign

We recently executed a WhatsApp Blast campaign for Wol3D, a ready-printing machine brand listed on the NSE. As part of this initiative, we collaborated with 15 colleges across Pan India to launch the pilot phase of the campaign.

The main objective of this WhatsApp activation was to amplify sales within a 3-day window, leveraging students and campus communities for higher brand visibility and engagement. This was the starting step toward a much larger nationwide campaign.

Campaign Highlights

  • Target Group: Students across 15 colleges in India

  • Duration: 3 days

  • Execution Mode: WhatsApp Blast

  • Goal: Increase awareness and boost short-term sales through direct campus outreach

Screenshots, performance stats, and response details for each participating college have been documented and reviewed with the brand.

Key Learnings

While the campaign served as an effective pilot, a few areas for improvement were identified:

  • Timely Submission of Proof: The client requires screenshots and proof of execution on time. Any delay (even by a day) disrupts reporting and impacts campaign credibility.

  • Influencer Management: It is critical to have backup influencers and groups in place. Since the campaign coincided with student exam schedules, some participants were unavailable, affecting execution flow.

  • Operational Preparedness: Our team must ensure pre-validation of evidence and smooth execution at scale, especially when multiple campuses are covered simultaneously.

Next Steps

Building on this pilot, the upcoming campaigns will be scaled to 300–400 campuses Pan India.Unlike this initial sales-driven push, future campaigns will focus on:

  • Wider Engagement: Beyond product sales, campaigns will integrate interactive AR elementsand higher student participation formats.

  • Skill Development Tie-ins: Planned collaborations include certificate-based workshops and training modules linked with Wol3D’s offerings.

  • Enhanced Tracking: A streamlined system for proof submission, influencer backups, and engagement measurement will be implemented.

This campaign marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with Wol3D, where student-driven outreach will evolve from basic blasts to immersive, large-scale activations across India’s higher education ecosystem

How Effective Are LinkedIn Ads for Finance Training Promotions?

How Effective Are LinkedIn Ads for Finance Training Promotions?

Recently, our team experimented with a LinkedIn campaign to promote the NISM XIII Common Derivatives LIVE Webinar. The goal was simple: drive registrations from finance professionals, build credibility in the Securities Investment Fund (SIF) training space, and ultimately expand our live training batches.

Linkedin Ad for finance educators

Our LinkedIn Ad Approach

We designed the campaign in two phases:

  • Static Creative Ads – These directed users straight to the registration page. While straightforward, this format gave us limited engagement.

  • Video Reels Ads – Once we switched to short video ads in reel format, engagement significantly improved, even with a slightly higher budget.

The real success came from the video campaigns, which drove stronger visibility and better brand connections overall.

Linkedin Ad for finance educators

Campaign Performance & Insights

  • Registrations from webinar ads: ~30 total attendees

  • Static Ads (Display): High CPM (> INR 100) with very few registrations

  • Video Ads: CPM around INR 146 but generated 20 registrations alone

  • Indirect Benefits:

    • Boosted LinkedIn followers

    • Enhanced brand image and awareness

    • Increased website and app visits

    • Premium LinkedIn insights for better strategy building

Clearly, video-based storytelling resonated much better with our target audience compared to static ads.

Linkedin organic marketing for Finance educators

 

Linkedin organic marketing for Finance educators

Organic + Paid Growth Strategy

Another key learning: running LinkedIn ads alongside consistent organic content helps tremendously. When a LinkedIn page is active with relevant updates, success stories, and industry insights, paid ads act as reinforcement rather than isolated efforts.

Additionally, integrating offline corporate training and classroom sessions further accelerates engagement, as professionals prefer trainers with a strong presence both online and in-person.

Participant Testimonials

Some of the learners shared valuable feedback after completing NISM XIII with us:

  • Arun Gopi“I cleared the NISM XIII Common Derivatives exam with ease, thanks to Sheetal Kunder Ma’am’s question banks, videos, and simplified concepts. Having tried mocks on other platforms, I found this the most affordable and comprehensive with valuable video-based learning.”

  • Rakesh Kumar“I attended the 2-day SIF training by Ms. Sheetal Kunder in New Delhi. She made the toughest derivative concepts very easy to understand. I truly admire her teaching style and look forward to more sessions. Wishing her the best for future programs.”

These testimonials not only validate the training methodology but also strengthen credibility within the finance professional community.

Linkedin Ad for finance educators

Multi-Channel Marketing Efforts

Our outreach wasn’t limited to LinkedIn. We backed the campaign with:

  • Email and SMS reminders

  • Consent notifications and community updates

  • Google announcements

  • Social media and app-based posts

This multi-channel follow-up maximized conversions and kept registrants engaged until the webinar.

Final Takeaways

LinkedIn ads proved a powerful marketing lever for finance professional training promotions. Despite higher CPMs for video ads, the improved engagement, registrations, and brand awareness make it worth the investment.

As we move forward, we plan to continue blending LinkedIn ads with organic presence and offline touchpoints to grow our NISM XIII Common Derivatives LIVE training and position ourselves as pioneers in the SIF & Derivatives education domain in India.

How To Arrange A Free Meditation Bootcamp for Campus Students?

How To Arrange A Free Meditation Bootcamp for Campus Students?

Stress, deadlines, and the constant buzz of notifications—college life can often feel overwhelming. Introducing psychology sttudents to meditation at the right stage not only helps them cope with stress but also equips them with mindfulness practices that stay with them for life. One powerful way to do this is through a meditation bootcamp on campus.

Recently we had arranged a meditation seminar for psychology students under the social activity agenda. We picked the nearest meditation centre at our college to conduct this.

How everything under this is managed well is described in this blog


psychology students of PIllai College at Meditation Centre

maslows game conducted at Meditation bootcamp for Psychology students of Pillai College

Why This Meditation Bootcamp Was Arranged?

– Apart from the social activity credits, it was for exposing the first year psychology students to actual spiritual experiences that college can’t deliver in classrooms

– Testing this meditation centre of how much effective their exercises are that can heal sutdent’s mental health issues. Accordingly more sessions can be arranged in future for other dept.


Step-by-Step Planning of the Meditation Bootcamp

Here’s how the entire event was structured:

1. Partnering with the Right Organisation

The first step was securing the support of a social organization that specializes in mindfulness and meditation workshops. This was possible because of Vidit Kamble (Head of Management Association – Pillai College – My Dearest Friend too) — who made it easier to collaborate.

2. Setting the Date and Time

A fixed date and time slot ensured smooth scheduling. The program was designed to fit into the academic calendar without clashing with regular classes or examinations.

3. Planning the Structure of the Session

The bootcamp included:

  • A brain exercise to energize participants.

  • A guided meditation session focusing on mindfulness practices.

  • Interactive experiences, where students reflected on how they felt during and after the session.

maslows game conducted at Meditation bootcamp for Psychology students of Pillai College

  • A series of games conducted by Aarav Gupta (TY BBA Digital Marketing student) on 1-on-1 basis and driving the entire seminar after the 2nd half

This flow ensured students weren’t just listening passively but actively participating.

4. Coordination and Formalities

To make the event successful, several backend steps were taken:

  • Consultation with organisers to agree on logistics and arrangements.

  • Clear communication with students about what they needed to bring (mostly just themselves, comfortable clothing, and an open mind!).

  • Flyer distribution across campus to spread awareness.

  • Psychology student involvement, as they co-facilitated and observed the session as part of their curriculum.

  • Acknowledgement letters and faculty coordination, ensuring the management and professors were aligned, while also collecting structured feedback for future improvements.


Outcomes and Feedback

The response from students, especially first-years, was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared that it was their first time experiencing meditation and found it refreshing compared to conventional lectures. Faculty appreciated the experiential approach, noting how it added real value to classroom learning.


Key Takeaways for Organising Your Own Bootcamp

  1. Leverage networks – Personal connections with NGOs or organizations can ease collaboration.

  2. Blend theory with practice – Let students experience mindfulness, not just study it.

  3. Keep logistics simple – Focus on creating a calm environment; avoid overcomplications.

  4. Include faculties and managers – Their involvement ensures credibility and long-term continuity.

  5. Gather feedback – It makes the next event better and validates the initiative.


Conclusion

A meditation bootcamp doesn’t just offer a break from routine; it plants the seed of mindfulness in young minds. With careful planning, teamwork, and the right support, campuses can create deeply enriching experiences for their students.

If you’re considering organizing one in your institution, take inspiration from this model and start small—the impact can be truly transformative.

Kumbhathon Startup Festival – GenZDealZ.ai Pitch at RIIDL

Kumbhathon Startup Festival – GenZDealZ.ai Pitch at RIIDL

 

Event Overview: A Day of Purposeful Networking

Morning Kickoff

The festival commenced bright and early with a networking breakfast, immediately setting the tone for a day filled with meaningful connections. Networking was clearly woven into every aspect of the day’s schedule, enabling spontaneous and productive conversations with fellow entrepreneurs.

Core Focus: Kumbh-Ready Startups

A significant portion of the festival was dedicated to preparing startups to be “Kumbh-ready”through:

  • Specialized sessions helping entrepreneurs understand specific challenges and opportunities of Kumbh Mela Nashik 2027

  • Investor confidence-building initiatives

  • Sector-specific preparation for tangible contributions


I and Akshay sir taking feedback from Kumbhathon Incubation Judges

Partnership Opportunities and Collaborations

New Connections Made

Throughout the day, we engaged with several promising startups interested in collaboration:

Key Partnerships Explored:

  • Khana Anywhere – Food delivery solutions

  • WhoVR – Virtual reality experiences

  • Healthcare Startups – Various health-focused ventures

Collaborative Initiatives

  • Platform Listings: Multiple startups expressed interest in listing their brands on our platform

  • API Exchanges: Successful negotiations for API deals with Khana Anywhere, WhoVR, and healthcare partners

  • Campus Activities: Discussions around joint campus engagement initiatives


Student Engagement: The Next Generation of Innovators

Somaiya School Interaction

One of the most rewarding aspects of our participation was engaging with students from Somaiya School:

Highlights of Student Engagement:

  • Infectious Curiosity: Students demonstrated genuine interest in our app and its functionality

  • Thoughtful Questions: Inquiries about our curated deals and business model

  • Knowledge Sharing: Distribution of our one-pager and informational cards

  • Future Potential: Recognition of these students as brilliant minds in the making

“Their genuine interest was more engaging than any other startup interaction we had.”


Akshay sir giving the pitch to Kumbhathon Investors (GenZDealZ.ai is one of the top 10 startup who got shortlisted for pitching in front of investor)

Pitching Session and Learning Opportunities

Three-Minute Showcase Format

The day culminated in an intensive pitching session featuring:

  • Selected Startups: Curated group of promising ventures

  • Detailed Presentations: Comprehensive business deck showcases

  • Interactive Q&A: Follow-up discussions and feedback sessions

  • Peer Learning: Valuable insights into different approaches and strategies


Keynote Insights: Vision for the Future

Leadership Perspective

Mr. Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor to the Maharashtra CM, delivered inspiring insights covering:

Key Topics Addressed:

  • Personal entrepreneurial journey and experiences

  • Maharashtra’s educational initiatives and startup ecosystem

  • State startup funding allocations and opportunities

  • Comprehensive planning for Kumbh Mela Nashik 2027

  • Regional startup ecosystem development

His presentation offered a macro perspective on the startup landscape and government support infrastructure.


Content Creation and Documentation

Digital Footprint

We ensured comprehensive documentation of our experience:

  • Photography: Professional event coverage

  • Video Content: Instagram-ready reels and stories

  • Social Media: Real-time updates and engagement


Event Organization and Acknowledgments

Exceptional Leadership

Special recognition goes to Mr. Rishabh Voha, founder of Kumbhathon, for his excellent organization and vision in creating this unique platform for startup collaboration and innovation.


Conclusion: Looking Forward

The Kumbhathon Startup Festival 2025 proved to be a masterclass in:

  • Strategic Networking

  • Collaborative Learning

  • Community Building

  • Innovation Showcase

This experience has energized our team and reinforced our excitement about the future of GenZDealZ.ai. The partnerships and connections forged during this event promise to drive significant growth and innovation in our journey ahead.

We look forward to continuing these collaborations and contributing to the vibrant startup ecosystem preparing for Kumbh Mela Nashik 2027.

How Any Brand Can Host Free Seminars In Campuses?

How Any Brand Can Host Free Seminars In Campuses?

How you can introduce any brand to get s foot in the door and make your college events more fruitful

Recently we conducted a seminar by bringing Inifheal to the campus and in this blog I’ll laid down the exact process which we gone through

Infiheal Seminar at Pillai College New Panvel by BBA Digital Marketing students

During the 1st meet of Infiheal to the Vice Principal we made their psychology head pitch their solution in the front

The conversation went around what’s Infiheal, what it can bring to the colleges and for whom mental health is really useful, etc.

However the community coordinator didn’t able to pitch the pricing well and VP told that you would be able to take a free seminar for the psychological students and then we can see how do we conduct for faculties and other batches

We got the permission and discussion finalised with the psychology head

She showed a green signal in goidn aheed in the 1st week of July as till then FY students would also enter into the campus

Infiheal Seminar at Pillai College New Panvel by BBA Digital Marketing students

So we noted the following points

  • The date of auditorium finalisation
  • Which date the brand is comfortable to conduct
  • Faculty visiting and hosting the overall seminar

 

However we made certain restriction like :

  • Registration should be followed via GenZDealZ.ai application
  • Certificates and Feedback will be rolled out via GenZDealZ.ai

The seminar was conducted successfully and the following seminars are now scheduled for the faculties and other batches of students

 

How was the overall seminar?

  • Students were highly interactive throughout the session as that could be the reason that all of them were first year students and whatever they’re learning in this Infiheal session is new to them
  • Students were asking questions and participating in all the activities given by them especially boys who aren’t consider into psychology dept they were also quite inquisitive
  • At the last a qr code of GenZDealZ.ai was shown to download by the students where students would voluntarily download it and I just briefed the students what the application does

Infiheal Seminar at Pillai College New Panvel by BBA Digital Marketing students

What all micromanagement you will have to do in such seminars?

Arranging the food for the guests

Arranging the speakers and additional backup of ppt if the internet doesn’t work in the middle

Taking permission of each and minute thing like collecting the feedback form that has the contacts of all the students and reeleskng certificate

Making the seminar highly intact with in the given time and no extension for any reason, for Infiheal it was delayed by 20 mins

Few things Infiheal could have done better:

  • Could have brought the founder in the meet when it was scheduled with vice principal to discuss the commercials more strongly
  • The program management could have been much more particular
  • The overall session should be practical in nature with some kinda exercises