Students through to national finals

Congratulations to three marketing students who will represent Hull University Business School in the final of a national marketing competition.

Matthew Johnson, Stephanie Martin and Olivia Tomlinson will compete in the final of The Pitch, a nationwide marketing challenge organised by CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing).

“Our students have worked incredibly hard on their pitch and have come up with a great concept for Wilkinson Sword. I am confident they will really impress the judges,” said Peter Andrews, a lecturer in marketing at the Business School.

“Only 12 teams are competing in the London final so I am delighted Matt, Stephanie and Olivia have made it through. The University has a history of success at this competition and I wish them all the best.”

For the past two years, the University has been awarded first place for its exceptional student engagement at the awards ceremony and in 2016 two teams won through to the national final, achieving first and second place.

The students, who are all in their final year of a degree in marketing, will present their ideas in response to a real marketing challenge set by shaving brand Wilkinson Sword; focusing on how their shaving range can appeal to a younger audience.

In addition to honing their pitching skills and building real-life experience to complement their classroom learning, the students have a chance to win some high value cash prizes in the competition.

Matthew, who spent the third year of his degree on a professional placement with Hull UK City of Culture, said:

"I'm proud to have reached this stage of the competition and hope we have what it takes to make the final three. I can't wait to see what the final holds for us."

Stephanie said:

 “We’re so excited to have reached the finals of the pitch. It’s such an amazing opportunity to get involved with the CIM and it is definitely going to help build our CV.”

Olivia said:

"Our lecturer, Peter Andrews, has been a huge help throughout our preparation for The Pitch and we would like to thank him for all of his support." 

Participation in the competition is just one of the ways that the Business School is building stronger links with CIM and commercial companies to boost students’ real-life business experience and employability skills.

Students have the opportunity to work towards professional qualifications through CIM Graduate Gateway and can achieve exemptions from CIM assessments while studying on our marketing programmes, if certain academic requirements are met.

This fast tracks the process of gaining invaluable professional qualifications from CIM, which can open up the door to increased earnings potential, a wealth of networking opportunities and resources, and will give students a real boost up the career ladder.

Gemma Butler, Associate Marketing Director at CIM said: “We’ve been inundated with high-calibre applications this year. It’s been fantastic to get a glimpse of the student talent across the UK and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the finalists bring their ideas to life in the live final.”

Sarah Wood, Marketing Director at Wilkinson Sword said: “It’s brilliant to receive entries from across UK. The ideas are of such a high calibre and it’s clear a lot of time, effort and creative thinking has gone into responding to our brief. Originality is shining through in each one! We’re grateful to everyone who submitted and wish those shortlisted the best of luck in the final.”