We are delighted that one of our student teams reached the final of The Pitch, a competition run by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Mia Blake, Melanie Scanlon and Eleanor Samuels, who all study MSc Marketing Management Practice (which is to be renamed Strategic Marketing and Branding from September 2025) represented the School and the University in the competition, developing hugely valuable skills along the way.
The Pitch is a real-life marketing challenge that gives students practical experience and a great opportunity to be noticed by potential employers. This year’s competition was focused around Dogs Trust. Students were challenged to create and present a marketing plan that will help grow the Dogs Trust’s Companions Club, reaching new supporters, retaining existing ones and boosting its income.
Eleanor Samuels said, “The Pitch allowed me to practically apply the knowledge from my course, developing creative ideas and working collaboratively within a team. I have gained confidence in my presentation skills, and gaining advice from industry experts has certainly provided me with valuable insight.”
Melanie Scanlon shared, “Partaking in The Pitch 2025 has improved many of my skills, however, my most notable improvements were my self-confidence and presentation skills. We were provided with the opportunity to send a pre-recorded presentation, then, after being shortlisted, present to a live panel of judges. This experience truly took me out of my comfort zone, as I was new to the concept of presenting and had never done it to this degree before. Having suffered with social anxiety in the past, I had greater nerves going into this, however, I am immensely proud of how my teammates and I performed in the face of pressure. I believe that going into my job search, this experience will help me massively. Not only in regard to working under intense pressure, but also in validation of my skill set. I look forward to further talking about my experiences in The Pitch 2025.”
Mia Blake reflected, "The Pitch 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to gain confidence and practical experience in the marketing sector, allowing me to apply the theoretical knowledge from my degree in a real-world context. Collaborating closely with Eleanor and Mel throughout the competition helped me strengthen my skills in teamwork, creativity, and public speaking, as we learned a great deal from one another. I believe the experience has equipped me with valuable skills for the job market, and I’m incredibly grateful to SUMS for the opportunity to take part. "
I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Mia, Melanie, and Eleanor for reaching the final of The Pitch! This achievement highlights the valuable real-world experience our students gain through their studies. We are incredibly proud of their success in applying their marketing expertise, skills and knowledge, to such a challenging brief for Dogs Trust.
Melanie Hassett
Interim Associate Dean of Education
The Pitch takes place annually and is open to students on all of our postgraduate marketing courses. In addition, there is an undergraduate version that any Business Management or International Business Management student can take part in if they complete a marketing module.