Questions, answered.

Yes. Markathon is individual participation only — there is no team creation, no shared submissions, and no group defence at any stage.

Working performance marketers, marketers a year or two into their careers, and career switchers with foundations in place. Markathon is not an entry-level event and it is not a placement drive.

Registration closes 24 hours before Day 0 — 19:00 IST on 30 June 2026. After that, watch afactor.ai for future editions.

No. One participation per candidate.

Yes, at any point. Let the organisers know at support@afactor.ai so your slot and assignments can be released.

Yes, with disclosure. Candidates employed by agencies with competing entries must disclose that relationship at registration.

Each round makes a cut based on the panel’s evaluation. Approximately 50 advance to Round 1B, 25–30 to Round 2, and 12–15 to Round 3. These are targets, not fixed quotas.

Numeric scores are internal to the panel. Candidates who do not advance receive a short note from the panel rather than a scorecard.

You remain part of the cohort. Materials and grooming sessions stay accessible, featured submissions become readable after Round 2, and the live final defences are watchable. Not advancing is not being locked out.

Synthesis over list-making, differentiated thinking, honest uncertainty, judgment under ambiguity, and live reasoning in the pitch, the call, and the defence.

Yes. AI use is permitted and encouraged — these tools are part of how modern marketing work is done.

Yes. Every written round includes a 100–200 word AI-disclosure section you author yourself. Disclosure is a signal of professional honesty, not a penalty.

Anything that shaped your analysis, structure, or wording in a meaningful way. When in doubt, describe it. The disclosure is read as a strength, not a mark against you.

Written rounds (1A, 2) accept a .docx file or a Google Doc link. Round 1B slides are optional as .pptx or a Google Slides link.

MARK_[candidateID]_R1A for Round 1A, MARK_[candidateID]_R2 for Round 2, and MARK_[candidateID]_R1B for optional Round 1B slides. Your candidate ID is assigned at registration.

Yes. Before a deadline you can resubmit; the latest version wins. After the deadline, submissions lock.

Round 1A is 1,500–3,000 words. Round 2 is 1,800–3,500 words including the “What changed after the client call” preamble.

Live rounds run on Zoom. Your one-click join link surfaces 15 minutes before your session — not earlier.

For Round 1B and Round 2 you choose from available windows once shortlisted. Round 2 bookings are non-reschedulable within 24 hours of the slot.

Grooming sessions and the Day 0 orientation are recorded and available on-demand. Live evaluation rounds are conducted with the panel and are not published.

Any current mainstream browser — recent Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.

Contact support@afactor.ai immediately. Operational issues are handled with a response target under 4 hours during working hours (10:00–21:00 IST).

Prize money for the top three (₹1,00,000 / ₹50,000 / ₹25,000) is arranged after the winners are announced at the end of Day 11.

Prize money may be subject to applicable taxes and statutory deductions. Details are confirmed with winners directly.

No. Recognition includes introductions to agency judges who maintain independent hiring interest, but aFactor does not promise placement or employment. Placement is an outcome, not a promise.