Business and Marketing students impress and inform in Aviva Marketing Challenge

Students from Business and Marketing courses participated in a marketing challenge and project presentation with leading multinational insurers Aviva.

On 7 October, a group of 30 Business and Marketing students from Capital City College (CCC)’s Holloway campus took part in a creative marketing project set by Aviva, one of the UK’s leading insurers and pension providers.

During the challenge, students from Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Marketing courses worked on developing an original marketing campaign to answer the question “How do you get an 18-year-old to save rather than spend?” The project brief tasked the students with finding innovative ways to encourage their target audience to save money effectively.

As they worked in groups to generate ideas and build their proposal, the students received support and guidance from members of Aviva’s marketing team, including David Erixon, Marketing Director at Aviva Group. The students enjoyed having the opportunity to respond to and tackle a real-world business challenge, and they were able to develop their problem-solving skills, apply critical thinking and flex their creative muscles as they worked to hone their campaign and create their final pitch.

As well as enhancing their teamworking capabilities, the project also gave them exposure to professional methods of communication and creative collaboration. At the end of the day, the students presented their proposals to David Erixon and Desmond Corlis, Curriculum Manager for Business Studies at the Holloway campus. 

The groups delivered a number of innovative ideas in their presentations, including social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, budgeting apps, and educational content designed to make saving money more attractive for young people.

The winning group of budding marketing professionals were each awarded a £10 Amazon voucher, and all of the participating students were presented with a certificate of attendance to recognise their effort and contribution to the challenge.

David Erixon, Marketing Director at Aviva Group said: “It has been a real pleasure to spend the day at Capital City College’s Holloway Centre working with such an engaged and creative group of Business students. Through the Aviva Marketing Challenge, students gained first-hand experience of how our marketing teams operate and think, while we benefited from valuable insights into the perspectives and aspirations of the next generation of consumers. It’s been a mutually rewarding experience that truly reflects the power of collaboration between industry and education.”

Desmond Corlis, Curriculum Manager for Business Studies, said: “The Aviva Marketing Challenge was an outstanding opportunity for our Business students to connect theory with practice. Seeing them respond creatively to a live industry brief and present their ideas with such confidence was incredibly rewarding. Collaborations like this not only enhance our students’ understanding of marketing and consumer behaviour but also inspire them to see the relevance of their studies in shaping real business decisions. We are deeply grateful to Aviva for investing their time and expertise in supporting our learners’ professional growth.”

Godwill Prinye Allison, a student on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business course, said “My time with Aviva was very enjoyable. I felt as if i was able to show off my leadership skills as a class representative and listen and understand ideas given from my peers and the Aviva staff member who was with my group. I really enjoyed it and although their stay was short with us, I really learned a lot from the session. I really appreciate the support and knowledge they provided us.”

Uesli Balla, also a Business Student, said: “Working together showed me how important teamwork and communication are, and it gave me more confidence in sharing my thoughts. Even though I didn’t win the voucher, it was still a really good experience because I learned a lot and enjoyed working with others to bring our ideas to life”.

Capital City College continues to build strong partnerships with leading industry employers like Aviva. Our partnerships and interactions with a range of businesses and organisations mean that our students are frequently offered opportunities to gain practical experience, engage with professional networks, and develop the industry-specific knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers. 

Got an eye for entrepreneurship or a mind for marketing? Take a look at our Business and Professional Services Courses and apply today!

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