A team of undergraduates from the University of Portsmouth is through to the finals of The Pitch 2026, the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s global student competition.

The team, ‘Triad Methods’, will represent the CIM South East region after successfully responding to a real-world marketing brief set as part of the competition.

Now in its fifteenth year, The Pitch challenges students to apply their marketing knowledge to practical industry scenarios, encouraging creativity, collaboration and strategic thinking. The competition provides valuable experience for students looking to build careers in marketing and communications.

For the 2026 competition, CIM has partnered with global technology company IBM, allowing students to work on a brief focused on the future of artificial intelligence in marketing.

Undergraduate teams have been tasked with developing a bold, content-led campaign that addresses common myths about AI and positions IBM as a trusted authority on responsible, practical artificial intelligence.

Postgraduate teams, meanwhile, have been asked to produce a strategic plan that establishes IBM as the global leader in green AI, promoting more sustainable approaches to the development and use of artificial intelligence.

Commenting on the announcement, Marie Wilcox, Chair of the CIM South East Region, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the South East represented in this year’s final of The Pitch. The students have shown impressive creativity and determination to reach this stage, and we wish Team ‘Triad Methods’ every success in the final.”

The undergraduate finalists will compete in a live virtual final on 10 March, followed by the postgraduate final on 11 March, where the winners will be awarded the title of ‘Marketers of the Future’.

Winning teams will receive a complimentary one-year CIM Affiliate Professional membership, a place on a CIM virtual e-learning course, and an interactive session with IBM experts. All finalists will also receive a Pitch 2026 finalist certificate.

Written by Christine Bowles, Communications Ambassador, CIM South East