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  • The Pitch kick-starts marketing careers.

    This global competition is designed to give university students real-world experience for their first professional role in marketing. It is open to postgraduate and undergraduate students in their second or third year of study.

    In teams of two or three, students apply their learning to a real-life marketing challenge set by a charity, enhancing their employability and practical marketing skills.

    Partnered with:

     

    The challenge

    There will be two separate challenges for undergraduate and postgraduate students, with each challenge having its own final. And pay attention to this – those who make it through to the virtual final will be able to pitch their ideas to a panel of marketing experts.

    Five teams from each category will make it through to the final and have the chance to showcase their talents on 15 March 2024. It is important to note that the Pitch competition does not allow postgraduate and undergraduate students to be on the same team. 

    Every Youth: Both challenges will be based on EveryYouth, a Charity Partner of Hays, and offers an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in their degree to a real-life challenge. Stand out, impress judges and be a part of the winning team.

    Under-graduates

    Considering the current economic climate, how can EveryYouth drive a positive online experience to increase engagement.

    Post-graduates

    Develop a volunteer engagement marketing strategy that is designed to attract and retain volunteers who are committed to the charity's mission. This should include strategies to recruit, train, and retain volunteers, as well as recognition and reward programs.

    Kick-start your career with exclusive benefits

    • the-pitch_web-image_apply-knowledge

      Gain practical experience

      As you create a marketing plan for the professional charity EveryYouth, you will demonstrate the ability to apply your degree learning to real-life marketing scenarios. 

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      Earn an additional L4 qualification

      Students who participate in the Pitch will have the opportunity to obtain a Level 4 qualification as the Pitch provides the practical experience required to complete the Marketing in Action module.

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      Enhance your CV

      Want to stand out when looking for a placement or graduate role? Participation in the Pitch will enhance your CV and help you stand out in a competitive jobs market.

    • the-pitch_web-image_real-life-experience

      Stand out in interviews 

      When explaining situations in which you've demonstrated your skills for employment in real-life situations, the Pitch is an excellent example to use in interviews.

    • the-pitch_web-image_win-prizes

      Receive global recognition


      Participation in the Pitch will allow you to be a part of a global competition that provides international recognition

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      Showcase your marketing talent

      Develop and showcase your employability skills to future employers as you work on a real-life marketing challenge.

    • the-pitch_web-image_panel-of-judges

      Access to industry leaders

      Network and build professional relationships with senior marketers as you pitch your ideas to our panel of judges.

    • the-pitch_web-image_group-of-friends

      Collaborate with friends

      Do you enjoy working on group-focused projects? The Pitch is an amazing opportunity for you to team up with friends and overcome a real-life marketing challenge.

    The Prizes

    1st Place
    • Winner of The Pitch 2024 and our ‘Marketers of the Future’ award.
    • One-year complimentary CIM professional membership for each team member.
    • A complimentary ‘Specialist Award’ qualification by CIM Academy. (CIM Academy terms and conditions apply)
    • A virtual one-hour session with HAYS Chief Marketing Officer Inken Khulmann-Rhinnow. 
    • A virtual CV writing and hints and tips workshop by Hays.
    • Case study based on the 2024 Pitch winners participation will be created and posted on the CIM Pitch website until the 2025 campaign.
    • A digital winner’s badge/certificate will be supplied by CIM.
    All finalists
    • Digital ‘The Pitch 2024 finalist’ badges and certificates.

    Supported by

    Register now to secure your place

    Secure a place for you and your team by completing the form below. Before submitting the form and registering, each member of the team must enter their information. Registration ends 01/12/2023. 

    Student 1

    I confirm I am 18 years old or over *

    Student 2

    I confirm I am 18 years old or over *

    Student 3

    I confirm I am 18 years old or over *
    I agree to the <a href="/terms-and-conditions/#Events" target="_blank">terms and conditions</a> *.

    The Pitch 2024 Finalists

    The Pitch 2024 received a record-breaking number of applications this year and the judging panel has been impressed with the quality and quantity of the submissions. As a result, we will be allowing an additional Undergraduate team to attend the live virtual final. 

    Undergraduate

    BWH
    • Hophny Saint Fleur - Salford University
    • Becky Leigh - Salford University
    • Wai Ming Chong - Salford University
    Elka
    • Elisa Van Cauteren - Middlesex University
    • Anamika Kumari Nirmal Singh - Middlesex University
    Team 15
    • Isabel O'Hagan - Manchester Metropolitan University
    • Emily Stenson - Manchester Metropolitan University
    • Amanda Houlden - Manchester Metropolitan University
    007 Boys
    • Xiaohan Yao - Coventry University
    • Millentya Jaysakti Triputra - Coventry University
    NWN
    • Wiktoria Nowak - Manchester Metropolitan University
    • Nell Donaldson - Manchester Metropolitan University
    • Natasha Walsh - Manchester Metropolitan University
    The Three Marketeers
    • Lauren Parr - Newcastle University
    • Mehek Hathiramani - Newcastle University
    • Jenny Vu - Newcastle University

    Postgraduate

    StrathStrategists
    • Lucy Cassels - University of Strathclyde
    • Lucy Mitchell - University of Strathclyde
    • Cara Garvie - University of Strathclyde
    CASS-E-ROLL
    • Cristian Henriquez - Arden University
    • Amna Abdullah - Arden University
    • Sara Cuellar - Arden University

     

    The Pack
    • Ikram Akanni - Wolverhampton University
    • Samira Abdullahi - Wolverhampton University
    • Enamul Hasan - Wolverhampton University
    Hive
    • Sunakshi Shetty - University of Westminster
    • Aadil Raza - University of Westminster
    • Judy Wu - University of Westminster
    M&M's
    • Zhaohan Li - University of Aberdeen
    • Wing Sze Victoria Law - University of Aberdeen
    • Laura MacKinnon - University of Aberdeen

    The Pitch 2023 Winners

    Anita Marcu, Scarlett Cassidy and Marie Oceane Bax De Keating were awarded the prestigious title and crowned the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s ‘’ Marketers of the Future’’ at the final on 17th March, out of a selection of strong teams from across the UK and internationally.

    Anita, Scarlett, and Marie spoke on the experience of winning the competition and said, “We are so proud and honoured to have won ‘The Pitch’ 2023. Throughout this process we have grown as individuals and as a team, playing to our strengths, and overcoming challenges to produce a winning presentation’’

    FAQs

    Who can enter the undergraduate competition?

    The Pitch is open to undergraduate students in their second or third year who are studying for a marketing degree or a business degree with a marketing module.

    Who can enter the postgraduate competition?

    The Pitch is open to postgraduate students in their first or final year who are studying for a marketing degree or a business degree with a marketing module.

    Can undergraduates and postgraduate students be on the same team?

    The Pitch does not allow undergraduate and postgraduate students to be on the same team.

    Do I have to be based in the UK to enter?

    The Pitch is a global competition open to both UK and international students, with the live final taking place virtually.

    When must I submit my presentation by?

    All presentations for the undergraduate and postgraduate competitions must be submitted by 24 January 2024.

    When is the final?

    The undergraduate and postgraduate competition finals will be held on March 15 2024. The postgraduate final will take place in the morning, followed by the undergraduate final in the afternoon.

    Get in touch

    For more information, please contact: thepitch@cim.co.uk

    Terms and conditions