The Campaign Heats Up: Students Vie For Social Media Supremacy in the Walmart Green Student Challenge

Registered students campaign for online votes and comments for the chance to pitch innovations to esteemed panel of judges and win $25,000

Top 20 teams win $500 each

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada launched its second annual Green Student Challenge in September, asking post-secondary students across the country to develop a compelling green business idea that could change Canada's business landscape. With registration well underway and more than 80 teams already signed up, the race is now on. Participating students now have to secure as much support as possible from their social networks for a chance to share their ideas with the country's top business leaders and win the top prize of $25,000.

In an exciting new twist introduced for this year's Challenge, social media buzz for a team's idea will play a crucial role in determining that team's overall score.  The number of comments and votes each team receives through the Green Student Challenge website will count for 25 per cent of the judging criteria in round one of the evaluation process. Generating online buzz is critical to progressing in the competition in addition to originality, ease of implementation, and potential business and environmental impact / feasibility, each of which also carry a weight of a 25 per cent.

"We heard from last year's students just how important discussion and dialogue was as they were developing their idea for the Challenge," said Shelley Broader, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "We're excited to give all Canadians a chance this year to have a say in who they think has developed the most powerful, game-changing green business idea."

Walmart Canada also announced today the addition of Dr. Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence Canada, to its preeminent panel of judges which also includes the leaders of Walmart Canada, CN, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Google Canada, and SC Johnson Canada.

"We're thrilled to have Rick on board and look forward to the unique insights he'll bring to the judging panel as someone who has dedicated his professional career to creating a healthier, greener future," said Broader. "Rick's background rounds out the knowledge and expertise of the other panel members, and we hope his involvement will inspire students to bring forward their best sustainable business ideas."

The Walmart Green Student Challenge encourages students to push the boundaries of innovative thinking, with the company awarding students a total of $100,000 in cash and prizes including $25,000 to the winners and $25,000 to the winners' school. Students have until December 14, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET to register their team and upload their idea for a chance to become one of 20 who move forward to the semi-finalist round, with five finalists presenting to the panel of judges in February 2013.

To learn more about the Walmart Green Student Challenge and how to enter, please visit www.greenstudentchallenge.ca, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WalmartGSC or follow us on twitter at @WalmartGSC.

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of more than 335 stores, employing nearly 90,000 Canadians, and serving more than one million customers each day. The company's vision is to demonstrate environmental leadership by reducing the ecological impact of its operations through company-wide programs focused on waste, energy and products, as well as outreach programs that preserve and enhance local environments. Visit www.walmartcsr.ca for more company information or follow Walmart Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/walmartcanada.

SOURCE: Walmart Canada

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