Bethan Lang was selected as joint-winner in the Marketing Student of the Year category at the industry-renowned 2021 Marketing Society Scotland Awards.

The MSc Digital Marketing student impressed the judges following a gruelling set of Apprentice-style tasks and panel interviews.

Adding an extra layer of challenge to the task was the fact the event was held entirely online this year, due to the ongoing pandemic.

During the first stage of the competition, participants were split into groups, and asked to devise an innovative marketing strategy for a well-known Scottish whisky brand.

Several students then progressed to be grilled by a panel from whisky distributor Edrington-Beam Suntory.

“I wouldn’t have had the skills to win this competition had it not been for the staff at UWS."

 Bethan Lang, MSc Digital Marketing student

The 21-year-old said: “I’ve never quite experienced anything quite like it – it was an amazing experience but quite intense.

“There were so many talented people involved in the competition, and I learned a lot from being part of it in the first place. I’m absolutely delighted that I’ve been named joint winner: I honestly didn’t expect it.”

As part of her prize, Bethan has won a year-long graduate membership to Marketing Society Scotland.

She added: “I wouldn’t have had the skills to win this competition had it not been for the staff at UWS. I’ve learned so much during my time at the University. The support they’ve provided throughout my studies, even during the era of online learning, has been second-to-none.

“They’ve taught me to think outside of the box, and helped me channel my creativity. I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me.”

Bethan graduates this year, and has used the skills and contacts she has made at UWS to set up her own digital marketing company, Lang Digital Enterprises.

Senior lecturer in Digital Marketing, Theo Tzanidis, put Bethan forward for the competition.

He said: “Bethan is a tremendous ambassador for MSc Digital Marketing, and I’m pleased that she has won this award.

“This honour will provide a huge boost for her career, and I am looking forward to seeing her utilise the knowledge she has learned at UWS as she goes on to achieve great things.”

More information about studying MSc Digital Marketing at UWS.