Are you a young marketer with a lot to say? You might be exactly who we’re looking for!

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is on the lookout for a vibrant and inspiring young marketer to become a columnist for our exclusive member-only magazine, Catalyst, for the 2025 issues.

We’re seeking a fresh voice, someone at the start of their career who understands the challenges young marketers face today and stays updated with the latest marketing news and trends.

Our ideal columnist will discuss predictions, trends, challenges, and priorities for young marketers. What excites you about marketing? What frustrates you? Which campaigns are catching your eye? Who are the influencers and brands to watch? If you have the answers, we want to hear from you!

This is an opportunity to represent youth marketers and as such applicants must be between 18-25.

Responsibilities:

• Write four short columns (500-550 words) for each quarter (January, April, July, October).

Benefits:

• Share your insights alongside major brands, influencing and inspiring thousands of marketing professionals.
• Gain exposure and recognition for your views and expertise.
• One year of free CIM membership. If you’re already a member, your renewal costs will be covered for the next year.

How to apply

To submit your application, please complete the form below. Be sure to include a 500-word writing sample on a marketing topic of your choice for our team to review, along with a recent high-resolution headshot.

Good luck!

The competition is now closed.

By submitting an entry you agree to our terms and conditions listed below. 

Terms and conditions:

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be aged between 18-25 years old.
• The competition is open to global entries but submissions and columns must be in written in English (UK).
• Employees of Catalyst magazine and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Submission Guidelines:

• Each applicant must include an original article of 500 words on a key marketing topic they feel passionately about.
• Submissions must be written in English (UK) and formatted as a Word document or PDF.
• Each applicant must include a recent, high resolution headshot which will be used to create their author profile should they win the competition.
• All entries must be submitted via our submission portal by 28 October.

Selection Process:

• Entries will be judged by the CIM team, based on creativity, originality, and writing style.
• The decision of the CIM team is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. You can opt in to receive communications about future opportunities during the application process.

Winner Announcement:

• The winner will be notified in mid-November.
• The winner of the competition will have their first article published in Catalyst in January 2025 and must submit their final draft by 12 December.

General Conditions:

• By entering the competition, applicants agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
• Catalyst and the CIM team reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with these terms.
• While we appreciate all applications, we regret that we are unable to provide feedback to all applicants due to the volume of entries.

Rights and Usage:

• By submitting an entry, applicants grant Catalyst and the CIM team the right to publish and use the article in any media.
• The winner agrees to participate in promotional activities related to the competition.

Privacy:

• Personal information collected from applicants will be used solely for the purpose of this competition and will not be shared with third parties unless otherwise specified.

About CIM
For over 100 years, CIM has supported the marketing sector. With members in more than 100 countries, CIM strives for business leaders and opinion formers to recognise the positive contribution professional marketing can bring to their organisations, the economy and wider society. We support, develop and represent marketers, organisations and the profession all over the world. Our ability to award Chartered Marketer status recognises a marketer’s commitment to staying current and abiding by a professional Code of Conduct. While our diverse range of training courses and world-renowned qualifications enable modern marketers to thrive in their roles and deliver long-term success for businesses. Find out more about CIM by visiting www.cim.co.uk.