Champions
Okay, so who won? That question looms large for many hopefuls at the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition (OCMC). So, here is the glorious history of the OCMC featuring the top three teams for each year. Note that for the OCMC, ties can be awarded where teams have equal points, so it is possible to have two second-place teams and a third-place team in a year.
These results are based upon the performance of each college’s teams in the ten or eleven events, based on 10 points for first, seven points for second, and four points for third. Effective in 2007, this scoring scheme changed to reward the top five positions with 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 points respectively.
Since 1996, teams for the Quiz Bowl event have each included four different colleges, with each of those colleges earning 5, 3, or 2 points for their share of a top three placement. In 2008, Quiz bowl scoring changed to award points to each college in a top four team, giving points of 4, 3, 2 and 1.
This page is organized by the years of the events, with a brief commentary on each and the standings of the colleges who participated.
2022: GAME CHANGERS at Seneca
OCMC 2022, held in downtown Toronto, marked the return to an in-person event after the cancellation of 2020 and a virtual 2021 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme, “GAME CHANGERS,” celebrated companies, technology, and individuals, including students, who disrupt the status quo and drive positive changes in business and society. The OCMC event also introduced a student mixer, a new Quiz Bowl format, and an additional case, concluding with a dinner reception and awards ceremony.
1st place – Seneca
2nd place – Algonquin & Niagara
4th place – Sheridan
5th place – Humber
2021: Humber
2020: no OCMC due to the pandemic
2019: Niagara College hosts a record number of attendees
Niagara College played host to OCMC 2019, in beautiful Niagara Falls, Ontario. With the thundering waters of Niagara Falls close by, attendees were treated to breathtaking views and a memorable 2 days in Niagara. In the end, Algonquin College emerged victorious in the overall college race, with a strong first-place win. The race between 2nd and 3rd was extremely close, as Humber managed to capture 2nd place by a 1-point margin ahead of Fanshawe College in 3rd place.
2018: BOLD at Fanshawe
In 2018 OCMC was held in London, Ontario and, with much help from Jim at Algonquin College, Fanshawe College was the proud host of the event. In true OCMC fashion, we were treated to a snowstorm on the first day of the event but that didn’t stop teams from across Ontario from making the trek including the Cambrian team from Sudbury!
| Ranking | College |
| First | Seneca |
| Second | Algonquin |
| Third | Sheridan |
| Fourth | Niagara |
| Fifth | Fanshawe |
2017: no OCMC due to strike action
2016: Ingenuity at Conestoga
Held in Kitchener, in the heart of the technology triangle, Ingenuity was the order of the day. Lambton College participated for the first time, and Cambrian was welcomed back after many years. Other highlights included an Oktoberfest style tapping of the keg, a mascot dance-off and a fire alarm in the wee hours Friday morning disturbing the much needed sleep of all competitors.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | Sheridan |
| Third | Seneca |
| Fourth | Niagara |
| Fifth | George Brown |
2015: Big City. Bright Ideas
The theme of this year’s competition was designed to reflect George Brown’s position physical location in the heart of Downtown Toronto’s business and marketing district, as well as the spirit, energy and innovative ideas that we expect from our students as part of the competition.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | St. Lawrence |
| Third | Seneca |
2014: Snowy Blue Mountain Resort Hosts 2014 Competition
With 53 total points, Sheridan edged out Humber by 2 points to capture their 2nd gold in 3 years. The event, hosted by Georgian College was held at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood and provided a picturesque and snowy setting for this year’s event.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | Humber |
| Third | Fanshawe |
2013: St. Clair Hosts in Downtown Windsor at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts
The entire event was hosted at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts directly across from the skyline of downtown Detroit. The event had a “Heat is on” theme and participants were greeted with margaritas and daiquiris when they arrived. St. Lawrence College turned up the heat finishing big with 60 total points to capture gold.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Fanshawe |
| Third | Contestoga |
2012: Centennial Hosts in Toronto
The theme for this year’s competition was “Inspire” and Sheridan put forth an inspired performance to take home the gold. This year’s quiz bowl packed some star power being hosted by CBC News Network Host Suhana Meharchand.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | St. Lawrence |
| Third | Fanshawe |
2011: Humber Hosts and Clinches 3rd Place
Humber hosted 13 Colleges at the 32nd Annual Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition in Toronto. The energy level was palpable as students from across the province vied for first place. The organizing team put together events that included a Flash Mob and a Casino Royale Experience. Humber also designed OCMC’s first mobile application!
| Ranking | College |
| First | Centennial |
| Second | Niagara |
| Third | Humber |
2010: Sheridan Sets Stage and Takes It!
Sheridan hosted for the first time since 1996 and came up large in the winner’s circle, with a 69 point performance, including four gold medals, which ties the OCMC record for golds. Georgian placed second again, back at 41 points, while Algonquin came in third at 34. When Sheridan hosted in 1996, Centennial cleaned up with 67 points, so it seems this host is big on dominance. If you wonder who is missing from that top three — Conestoga saw its top three win streak ended at 13. Great run, but it had to end. Note that points totals cannot be compared, as only top three picked up points until 2008.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | Georgian |
| Third | Algonquin |
2009: Lucky 13: Conestoga Again!!
Conestoga made it back-to-back first place finishes for the second time in their glorious history, with a 50-point performance in Mohawk turf in Hamilton. That makes 13 consecutive top 3 finishes for them. Georgian rang up a best-ever performance to finish second with 48 points (just missed!). Well back from this pair were Niagara, Algonquin and St. Lawrence. Despite a major recession, the presence of the H1N1 flu and more, Mohawk’s crew put on an impressive show.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | Georgian |
| Third | Niagara |
2008: Conestoga Conquers, Makes it a Dozen
Conestoga made it 12 consecutive years of top three finishes, but did something they have missed since 2004; taking the top prize. With 54 points, they were well ahead of Niagara, at 47, and St. Lawrence at 45. Consistency was key for the winners, placing in the top five in eight of the ten events outside quiz bowl. For the first time, those finishing fourth and fifth were announced, so the many score junkies could frantically tally up positions. Niagara hosted for the first time in modern-era OCMC.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | Niagara |
| Third | St. Lawrence |
2007: Familiar Faces, No Fall Guys in London
St. Lawrence regained the familiar first-place crown with another strong performance, but Niagara proved they were no fall guys with a solid second place, tied with Sheridan. Conestoga extended their streak to 11 consecutive top three finishes, but this is the ninth time St. Lawrence has won it all over the years since 1988. Niagara also finished second in 2004, a nice boost as they prepare to host in 2008. Sheridan repeated last year’s second-place performance for their fifth top three finish since 2000. Humber brought out a full and boisterous contingent and took home a gold medal and more for their efforts.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Niagara |
| Second | Sheridan |
| Third | Conestoga |
2006: Seneca Joins Club, Conestoga hits 10!
Seneca became the sixth college to have won an OCMC event, sweeping the Quiz Bowl and scoring across four other events. Just a point behind them was Sheridan, with three Gold medals, while Conestoga trailed them to pick up third place overall. That marks 10 consecutive years during which Contestoga has had a top three finish, a record nobody else even approaches. Seven different colleges won Gold, but the top three colleges all tallied more than 40 points, leaving slim pickings for their competitors. Algonquin, hosting for the second time, managed a lone Gold.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Seneca |
| Second | Sheridan |
| Third | Conestoga |
2005: Seneca’s Chief Concern: Dominance!
Seneca hosted for the first time and tallied five event placements, but it wasn’t enough to stop St. Lawrence from tying the OCMC record of four golds at one event, part of a 48-point performance. For the ninth year in a row, Conestoga was among the top three, while Algonquin and Fanshawe, which had not had a top three position since 1996 and 1994 respectively, tied for third. Fanshawe picked up gold in the new Integrated Marketing Communications event, which replaced Advertising this year. Humber sent a small team to check it all out.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Conestoga |
| Third | Algonquin |
| Third | Fanshawe |
2004: Watts up: History marked and made
OCMC celebrated 25 years in style, with a historic moment: the first-ever tie for first place! Consistent with precedent for ties, two colleges, Conestoga and Sheridan, shared the honour, while second and third were also awarded. Both winning colleges tallied their third top place finishes. Georgian hosted for the second time in Barrie, with a fabulous, impeccably-organized event. Barb Watts rocks!
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | Niagara |
| Third | Georgian |
2003: Right on Time in Peterborough
St. Lawrence College rang up another first place finish as OCMC teams gathered in Peterborough to savour the delights of Sir Sandford Fleming, including those served up by the Culinary Arts students. This was the first time the competition was held by that college and they did it in a timely manner.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Conestoga |
| Third | Sheridan |
2002: St. Lawrence hosts and triumphs
St. Lawrence college continued its dominance of the competition with a sweeping victory, ringing up 59 points. This was the third time that college has hosted the event, and the students and faculty recognized Kip Tuckwell for his leadership in the competition.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Georgian |
| Third | Conestoga |
2001: Sheridan ends 10-year Drought
Sheridan College, which had last won in 1991, ended the drought at Centennial College’s event. With eight different colleges claiming gold medals, the competition was most intense. Centennial was hosting for the second time, having handled the 1990 event.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | Conestoga |
| Second | Centennial |
| Third | St. Lawrence |
2000: Conestoga’s Medal Madness
Only five colleges picked up gold medals at this one, with St. Lawrence and Sheridan tallying three each, Centennial two and Algonquin and Durham one apiece. First-time host Conestoga even had a college cheer contest!
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Conestoga |
| Second | Centennial |
| Third | Sheridan |
1999: Downtown with George Brown
Right across the street from Toronto City Hall, St. Lawrence college regained its winningest college status. Visitors were treated to dinner at George Brown’s culinary school. The Toronto college didn’t hog the medals, though.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Conestoga |
| Third | St. Clair |
1998: Circling the Wagons at Durham
Can anybody circle the wagons like Conestoga? Right in auto-pumping Oshawa, Conestoga became only the second college to record back-to-back triumphs, with its second overall win. Durham College was host for the event, introducing a market simulation event, with teams of computer-toting students matching wits in a virtual world.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | Centennial |
| Third | George Brown |
1997: New Kid on the Block
Conestoga took top prize for the first time, becoming only the fifth college to savour that honour. St. Lawrence College was host for the second time.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Conestoga |
| Second | Centennial |
| Third | St. Lawrence |
1996: We’re back; Centennial cuts no slack
Powered by four gold medals, the most ever for one college at OCMC, Centennial swept this event. They placed in eight events overall. Sheridan hosted for the first time with an event that showed the OCMC was here to stay. Several events were changed, with merchandising math dropped, Entrepreneurship added and a new format for the Quiz Bowl. Each team comprised students from four colleges, making the entire event more participative for everyone.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Centennial |
| Second | St. Lawrence |
| Third | Algonquin |
1995: A Dark Day for OCMC
The mid-90s were a time of college cutbacks and corporate uncertainty, making fund-raising no fun. This and other factors prompted the intended host college to withdraw. While students from some colleges tried to host their own event and Sheridan was pressured to pull the event forward a year, not much could be done to revive the event. Before St. Lawrence stepped up to the plate, Sheridan was the only college positively committed to hosting a future OCMC.
1994: A Barrie Good Time at Georgian
For the third year running, St. Lawrence took top honours, becoming the only college to ring up three consecutive winning years. Georgian College hosted its first event in Barrie.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Centennial |
| Third | Fanshawe |
1993: A Tale of Two Campuses
Prior to a reorganization, St. Lawrence College had thriving business schools at Kingston and Brockville, with each sending their own teams. Brockville, with a student-led effort, hosted this year, which was to be the second-last time it took part in the OCMC. Who won? Heck, keep in the family!
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Mohawk |
| Third | Centennial |
1992: St. Clair: An Original Encore
Before the OCMC became a true provincial event, St. Clair College was one of the original competitors, crossing swords with their neighbors at Lambton, Fanshawe, Niagara, Conestoga and Mohawk. They showed they still knew their stuff, ringing up a second-place finish.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | St. Clair |
| Second | Sheridan |
| Third | Centennial |
1991: Algonquin: Governed by Desire
With their desire kindled by strong performances in the opening years of the OCMC, Algonquin hosted the fourth province-wide event in Ottawa. Eight colleges won gold medals in nine events, showing just how rough the competition was.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Sheridan |
| Second | St. Lawrence (Brockville) |
| Third | Algonquin |
1990: Centennial’s Celebration
Inspired no doubt by hosting their first-ever event in their Scarborough location, Centennial took top spot. They have finished in the top three is almost every OCMC ever held!
| Ranking | College |
| First | Centennial |
| Second | St. Lawrence |
| Third | Sheridan |
1989: Strangest-ever OCMC!
This event was truly a testament to the will behind making the OCMC happen. College faculty were on strike in the early fall of 1989, forcing organizers to push the event back. It was actually held in February of 1990 in Sudbury. Host college Cambrian, real contenders in the early years of the OCMC, no longer took part in the event after 1992.
| Ranking | College |
| First | Cambrian |
| Second | Algonquin |
| Third | Centennial |
1988: Where it All Began
With 17 colleges represented, this was the largest ever OCMC, and the first of three hosted by St. Lawrence. Sparked by Kip Tuckwell, the event was the first one that truly covered the entire province, with colleges from Windsor to Ottawa to Thunder Bay present.
| Ranking | College |
| First | St. Lawrence |
| Second | Sir Sanford Fleming |
| Third | Algonquin |
OCMC Trivia
- Colleges in northern Ontario were strongly represented in the early going of the OCMC. Northern, with campuses in South Porcupine, New Liskeard and Kirkland Lake, sent their entire third-year class of 12 students to the 1990 event. Cambrian in Sudbury was a very strong contender in the early years, while Canadore in North Bay also participated.
- Confederation College in Thunder Bay surely faces the biggest challenge to reach each year’s event. They must fly in their entire team, and must raise the funds locally to support the trip.
- In 1979, Lambton College actually competed in the United States, kicking many a Yankee butt. They learned that marketing programs are much weaker down there, leaving the students with much general education, but little in the way of solid marketing knowledge and skills. Despite founding what is now OCMC, they preferred the smaller format and did not support province-wide expansion.
- St. Lawrence is the winningest college, with nine top finishes in 18 competitions. Conestoga is the most consistent, finishing among the top three colleges for ten consecutive years, 1997 to 2006.
- From 1980 to 1985, what is now the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition involved only southwestern Ontario colleges: St. Clair, Fanshawe, Lambton, Niagara, Conestoga, and Mohawk.
- Mohawk, which hosted in 1986, was first to invite all colleges in Ontario, although only a few responded by attending.
- In 1987, Fanshawe was the first college to use the OCMC as the name of the event. It had hitherto been DECA, for Distribution Education Clubs of America.
- St. Lawrence agreed to host in 1988, when the event became geographically province-wide.
- St. Lawrence College had strong business schools in both Kingston and Brockville until the mid-1990s, and they fought tooth and nail for bragging rights.
- The largest OCMC was the first, in Kingston in 1988, when 17 colleges attended. Usually, 14 or 15 are on hand.
- Humber College sent a modest team to the Seneca event in 2005, the first time they have taken up the OCMC challenge.