Chartered Institute of Marketing Launched 2027 Student Challenge
Marketing students can now register for a global competition that builds brand strategy experience.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Marketing
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The Chartered Institute of Marketing has opened registration for its 16th annual global student competition, which tasks participants with designing a circular brand. Students from various countries can participate in the challenge, which focuses on the fashion, technology, and beauty sectors.
Why it matters
The competition serves as a pipeline for industry talent by providing students with hands-on experience in developing marketing plans and strategies. It allows participants to refine their skills by presenting work to a panel of professional industry experts.
This marks the 16th annual iteration of the global competition, which included student teams from 13 different countries in the prior year. Registration remains open until October 26 for undergraduate teams building marketing plans and postgraduate teams developing strategies.
The players
Chartered Institute of Marketing
A professional body that sets standards for the marketing industry and oversees international credentialing.
The details
Participants must submit an initial project proposal in November to qualify for shortlisting. Undergraduates are required to create a marketing plan, while postgraduates must develop a more comprehensive marketing strategy for their circular brand concept. Finalists then present their final work to a panel of industry experts during virtual events.
Timeline
Registration closes on October 26, 2026.
Initial proposals are due in November 2026.
Live virtual finals are scheduled for March 9 and 10, 2027.
Market Landscape
The 2027 challenge continues the pattern established by the 15th annual Chartered Institute of Marketing student competition. It tracks with the broader trend of professional bodies using structured student contests to influence curriculum development and early-career talent pipelines.
Operators in the fashion, technology, and beauty sectors should monitor the competition's output as an indicator of emerging talent trends and consumer-brand design shifts. The event offers a recurring opportunity to recruit junior staff who have demonstrated advanced strategic planning capabilities.
The takeaway
This competition offers a clear signal of how the next generation of marketers is approaching the circular economy. Managers should calendar the March 9-10, 2027, finals to observe the strategic frameworks presented by top undergraduate and postgraduate student teams.
What happens next
Registration for the 2027 competition must be completed by October 26, 2026, followed by initial proposal submissions in November 2026 and virtual finals on March 9-10, 2027.
Further reading
For more on industry talent development, visit the Marketing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FE News.
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