Locate in Kent’s Student Business Pitch Challenge

Last week Pillory Barn’s Operations Director, Julie, was invited along to the University of Kent by our client Locate in Kent to help judge the inward investment agency’s Student Business Pitch Challenge.

A number of marketing students at Kent Business School were challenged to identify the potential AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) factors that might motivate businesses in the Creative & Digital or Food & Drink sectors to consider Kent as a business location. Each group was then given 15 minutes to present their pitch to the judging panel.

Julie sat on the panel alongside Locate in Kent’s Investment Director, Simon Ryan and Head of Marketing, Anita Glover. Representatives from Kent Business School – Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Dr Dan Petrovici and Director of External Services, David Williamson – also helped judge.

The students were assessed on their interpretation of the challenge, level of analysis, practical solutions, creativity and final presentation. Julie and her fellow judging panel were impressed by the quality and originality of the pitches, which made the judging process particularly difficult.

Marketing students Janna, Megan, Sabrina, Devonta and Janina were awarded first place for their presentation on the Creative & Digital sector. Chloe and Ben were awarded a close second for their Food & Drink presentation. In light of the talent seen on the day, all students that took part in the Pitch It challenge have been invited to apply for a four-week placement at both Locate in Kent and Pillory Barn in summer 2020.

Julie said: “It was an honour to be invited along to the Student Business Pitch Challenge at University of Kent and listen to all the fantastic ideas that were shared. It was clear that a lot of time and preparation went into the presentations and I was particularly impressed by the creativity of the student’s ideas.

“There were a number of stand-out individuals from all the groups and it was great to see the next generation of marketeers. As a company, we look forward to working with the University of Kent moving forward and nurture our relationship with the students.”