School success at CIM ‘The Pitch’ marketing awards

Winning pitch 

Their winning pitch, setting out a marketing plan for the award sponsors Dogs Trust’s ‘Companion Club’ was selected from over 100 entries from the UK and internationally. In addition to the title, the pair win a one-year CIM membership, £600 of vouchers and the opportunity to name a litter of puppies from Dogs Trust.

Now in its fourteenth year, The Pitch competition challenges aspiring marketers from across the globe to react to a brief from a top organisation. It sees students from leading universities compete to address a real-life marketing challenge, in a bid to win the title of 'Marketers of the Future'.

Incredible student experience

Sandra and Boyang, said: “The Pitch was an incredible experience that challenged us to think creatively and strategically. Winning the competition is truly an honour and we’re thrilled that our ideas resonated with the judges. This achievement has given us more confidence in our skills and will undoubtedly open new opportunities as we move forward in our careers. We’re grateful for the support from CIM and everyone involved in making this event such a rewarding experience.”

Global Marketing programme at York

Dr Bob Townley, Director of Postgraduate Programmes at the School for Business and Society, said: “This is an amazing achievement for the winners, Sandra and Boyang, and our students in the other two teams who reached the Top 10 of this global competition. It’s testament to our superb, cutting-edge Global Marketing programme and its Programme Leader, Dr Nadine Waehning, who was supported in mentoring the students with Dr Simon Kelly. They have given the students the knowledge, creativity, confidence and skills to achieve at the very highest level in their field. We hope and believe that all students on this programme will be an asset to employers across the world, adding value to their marketing goals and strategies.”

Strong competition

Maggie Jones, Director of Qualifications and Partnerships of CIM, said: “We would like to congratulate everyone involved in this year's final. The standard was very strong this year. Being nominated as some of the best student marketers in the country is no mean feat, and the two teams that won their categories showed extraordinary imagination and marketing prowess. 

“Well done to Sandra, Boyang and the University of York for coming out on top with a brilliant presentation and strategy. They were very worthy winners, and we can't wait to see how they progress as newly crowned 'Marketers of the Future'.

“At CIM, we remain committed to supporting and bringing through the next generation of marketing talent both in the UK and internationally. The Pitch has helped to equip many student marketers for future roles. Looking to the future, we eagerly await to see what next year's teams have to offer, with student marketers continuing to raise the bar every year.”

Awards sponsor Dogs Trust

Stacey Conway-Jones, Interim Group Head of Individual Giving at Dogs Trust, commented: “We were impressed with the quality of the pitches that we saw in the postgraduate competition on Friday. Congratulations to Sandra and Boyang for delivering an award-winning pitch. Their victory is richly deserved and we hope this project has aided their development and will serve as a useful experience for the future. We can't wait to host them for their Q&A with our Managing Director - and we eagerly await to see the names they come up with for our litter of puppies!”

Top 10 finalist teams 

In addition to Sandra and Boyang’s ‘Paws & Claws Crew’, two further teams from the School for Business and Society were also selected to compete in the postgraduate category. Congratulations to our other students for reaching the Top 10 final.

Find out more information about The Pitch.