Two University of Birmingham teams win first and second place in CIM competition, The Pitch 2026.
Winners of The Pitch 2026 Postgraduate Competition 2026, Janhavi Tamhankar (left) and Audrey Berling (right).
University of Birmingham teams, Pitch Perfected and DinoMighty Consultancy, have been awarded first and second place, respectively, in the Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM) global student competition, The Pitch, in the postgraduate category.
The competition was run in partnership with IBM, a global leader in technology and innovation. Now in its fifteenth year, The Pitch saw 13 undergraduate and 13 postgraduate teams from leading international universities compete to be named the 'Marketers of the Future', as they were tasked with responding to a real-life marketing brief.
Postgraduate teams were tasked with developing a marketing plan to support IBM to become the global leader in ‘Green AI,’ the future of sustainable artificial intelligence. Undergraduate teams were challenged to create a campaign to tackle AI myths and position IBM as an expert in best practice and responsible AI.
The 2026 competition was the most competitive yet, with submissions from over 155 teams across 77 universities, including 13 from overseas.
The finalists were judged by a panel of industry experts from leading organisations, such as CIM, IBM, Hays, and Mintel.
Winners of the postgraduate competition, Audrey Berling and Janhavi Tamhankar (Pitch Perfected) are currently studying MSc Strategic Marketing & Consulting in the University’s Birmingham Business School.
The Pitch is an exceptionally competitive and demanding competition, and to secure both first and second place reflects the strength, creativity, and strategic depth our students brought to the challenge. Audrey and Janhavi delivered a truly outstanding campaign, while Gordon, Harriet and Steph also demonstrated remarkable insight and professionalism throughout.
The team’s campaign aimed to reposition IBM's Sustainable AI offering as ‘accountable intelligence.’ The strategy had three pillars: a Netflix documentary series, an invitation-only global summit for business professionals, and a workforce programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises deliver on their goals.
On their award, Audrey Berling and Janhavi Tamhankar said: "We are so delighted to be named winners of the postgraduate category. The Pitch has given us an unforgettable experience that we will remember forever. Not only have we developed valuable, real-world marketing skills, but we’ve also had the chance to apply them in a high-pressure, industry-level environment.
The Pitch has equipped us with confidence, practical insight, and strategic thinking that employers look for, and now we have the belief that this is just the beginning. We would like to say a huge thank you to CIM, IBM, the judges and our tutor, Dr Fahad Ibrahim, who supported two teams from University of Birmingham throughout this journey, helping both secure first and second place."
Runner’s up in the postgraduate competition, Gordon Chen, Harriet Cox and Stephanie Ka Min Sin (DinoMighty Consultancy), are also studying MSc Strategic Marketing & Consulting at the University of Birmingham.
DinoMighty Consultancy’s strategy identified Green AI as not only a sustainability issue, but a business issue linked to efficiency, resilience, and trust. They developed a strategy which positioned IBM as the company best placed to lead responsibility, as well as their own CAR (Credibility, Adoption and Reach) framework to help IBM build trust both internally and externally.
Runners up in The Pitch Postgraduate Competition 2026: (left to right) Harriet Cox, Gordon Chen, and Stephanie Ka Min Sin.
Fahad Ibrahim, Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for both teams and a real testament to the calibre of our students. The Pitch is an exceptionally competitive and demanding competition, and to secure both first and second place reflects the strength, creativity, and strategic depth our students brought to the challenge. Audrey and Janhavi delivered a truly outstanding campaign, while Gordon, Harriet and Steph also demonstrated remarkable insight and professionalism throughout.
It was a privilege to support both teams as a mentor, working with them to shape and refine their ideas. Seeing their dedication and growth recognised on a global stage makes this achievement especially meaningful.”
Maggie Jones, Director of Qualifications and Partnerships at CIM, commented:
"What stood out this year was not just the volume of entries, but the exceptional standard of thinking and professionalism demonstrated by the students. Each team brought fresh ideas, strategic insight, and real passion for the marketing profession. A huge well done to the 3 Marketeers and Pitch Perfected for their well-deserved victories, and to all participants who rose to the challenge and showcased skills that will serve them throughout their future careers."
The winning teams will receive a one-year complimentary CIM Affiliate Professional membership and a place on a CIM virtual e-learning course, as well as an interactive session with IBM experts.
The University of Birmingham was ranked in the top 10 Universities for Marketing in the Complete University Guide 2026 League Table. The University is also ranked 2nd in ‘The Graduate Market in 2026’ High Fliers report, making Birmingham one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers.
For more information, please contact the Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772.
Assistant Professor in Marketing
Dr Ibrahim's research interests include consumer research, digital marketing, service marketing, and strategic marketing.
