The Pitch is CIM's national student competition designed to give marketing students a real life marketing pitch experience. The competition is aimed at students in higher education universities and further education colleges. Predominantly aimed at university students, any higher/further education student in full-time education can enter. Thousands of students from 130 UK universities across the British Isles and Republic of Ireland will be targeted.

Sponsoring this competition will raise your brand profile across the marketing industry and enhance your future marketing recruitment activities.

Students enter in teams of three to work on creating a pitch for the brief you set. Students submit online applications with video footage of their pitch, before the panel of judges shortlist up to five finalist teams for the live event. On top of being crowned the winners of The Pitch 2015, the winning team will be recognised at CIM's Marketing Excellence Awards on Tuesday 24 March 2015 as 'Marketers of the Future'.

Last year's sponsor was Mars Petcare. In conjunction with Mars Petcare, CIM set an apprentice-style challenge to provide young marketers with the opportunity to develop skills and experience that goes beyond that available through an academic course, and gain vital real-world experience required to thrive in the marketing industry.

Increase brand awareness Alignment with the world's largest professional body for marketers. Positive brand connotations in aligning with a prestigious and long established event that actively pushes and develops the next generation of marketers. Opportunity to engage with, influence and attract new marketing professionals to your organisation.