Festival of Marketing partners with School of Marketing to encourage young people into the sector

The School of Marketing has partnered with the Festival of Marketing to launch a brand-building competition for school children to inspire them to consider a career in marketing.

Twenty students will work in four groups of five to create a brand concept with sustainability at its heart. Ideas will be presented to a panel of marketing industry figures at the Festival of Marketing 11 October.

Each team will be given a sector to focus on: FMCG, retail, technology and financial services.

In addition to gaining first-hand experience of marketing, each member of the winning team will receive a free ticket to attend the ​Festival in 2020. The winning group will be featured on ​Marketing Week​ and can each complete a week’s work experience at Marketing Week’s parent company Centaur or a partner company.

Applicants, who must be between 16- and 18-years-old, will be chosen on the basis of their answer to the question: ‘What inspires you about a career in marketing and why do you want to take part in this challenge?’ To apply click here.

The School of Marketing’s mission is to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to enter marketing by opening up access and highlighting the plethora of career routes available. Marketing Week is a founding partner.

The initiative was launched following a Marketing Week investigation last year that found poor perception and low awareness of marketing as a career choice for young people. Just 3% of students aged 18 to 24 consider marketing a good career option.

The Festival of Marketing takes place at Tobacco Dock in London on 10 and 11 October. For more information on the agenda and to buy tickets visit the Festival website.

Research agency Truth is also supporting the competition.