UoB duo shine in global final

Now in its fourteenth year, The Pitch challenges aspiring marketers from across the globe to respond to a real-life brief set by a leading organisation. The competition sees students from top universities compete for the coveted title of ‘Marketers of the Future’.

This year’s challenge ran in partnership with the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. Students were tasked with creating a marketing plan to help grow the charity’s Companion Club, with 10 undergraduate teams and 10 postgraduate teams competing across two categories.

Massive congratulations to UoB Postgraduate students Anna Kovalenko and Kinga Karcweska who came third with their ‘Pawsitive impact’ proposal.

“The inspiration behind the Pawsitive Impact proposal came from a desire to create a supportive, educational, and lasting community that could help address the growing loneliness epidemic—particularly among dog owners who may feel isolated, especially those dealing with behavioural challenges in their pets”.

The final was held online, with Anna and Kinga presenting from a library room on campus.

“We’d been working on this project since December, and we were genuinely proud of what we had created. The experience taught us so much about collaboration, strategy, and perseverance—and we’re grateful for it regardless of the outcome”.

When the results were announced, it was a moment of surprise and celebration:

“It was honestly surreal. We were already thrilled when we received the email saying we had made it into the top 10, but finding out we had placed in the top 3 was a magical moment—especially knowing how many strong universities were competing alongside us”.

Despite juggling coursework deadlines with the demands of the competition, the team never lost sight of their shared passion and friendship.

“We said from the start that no matter the outcome, we’d be proud of what we created, and we really meant that. Placing in the final just made it even more special. It was a true friendship building experience”.

The competition also offered a powerful lesson in the real-world application of their academic studies.

“The Pitch gave us insight into how much thought goes into planning bigger, longer campaigns that are not only creative, but also data-driven and purpose-led. It made us more confident in our ability to work professionally, collaborate under pressure, and build campaigns with a real sense of community”

Well done Anna and Kinga – what a truly Pawsitive Impact you’ve made!