Young marketing minds shine in industry challenge

Pupils from across the north-west of England and beyond channelled their inner marketing professionals and Disney princesses to demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Lancaster University Management School’s Marketing Minds: Live Industry Challenge asked teams to explore how brands respond to changing consumer behaviour, digital innovation and competitive pressures.

Groups of between three and six students from eight schools and colleges were given a brief based on challenges facing the Disney brand’s international retail and merchandise business.

With help and guidance from tutors in LUMS, as well as current Marketing students, the 16 to 18-year-olds developed and pitched their ideas incorporating digital technology to Management School marketing experts – all in the space of two-and-a-half hours.

The panel chose winners of the Marketing Minds Award based on teamwork, creativity and insight, and all participants received a certificate to support their personal statements and future university applications.

“This was a chance for young people with a passion for marketing to put their ideas and skills to the test,” said Dr Nicole Bulawa, Lecturer in Marketing at Lancaster University and one of the event organisers. “We were thrilled at the ideas that all the teams came up with in such a short time. All the teams were brilliant, and it demonstrates what young people can manage under pressure and just how skilled they are.

“Over the course of the day we saw pupils show off their communication skills, their ability to think outside of the box – and their sense of fun in tackling a challenge all about the world of Disney.

“It was also an opportunity for them to learn about what the marketing industry looks like, and where their future might lie if they choose to pursue a career in it.”

Three winning teams, Once Upon a Runshaw, from Runshaw College, Leyland; Once Upon a Dream, from Telford College, Shropshire; and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Babes, from Blackburn College (all pictured below), were presented with their prize certificates at the end of the afternoon.

As part of the day, all the teams also enjoyed a taster lecture from the LUMS Department of Marketing, highlighting the key jobs within the industry.