Top graduate scoops national marketing award

High-flying graduate Kunal Shah has picked up a national marketing award after achieving the best marks in the country in a professional exam.

Kunal Shah, 23, from Harrow, Middlesex, gained the top result for the Certificate in Direct and Digital Marketing set by the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM).

He received the award at his graduation ceremony at De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, where he was also presented with his BA (Hons) Marketing degree.

It is the second year running that a student from DMU's Leicester Business School has come top in the exam.

Kunal's fellow students also scored outstanding marks, giving DMU the highest pass rate of all English universities.

The IDM Certificate was introduced in response to demand from employers and aims to provide new recruits to the profession with a clear understanding of the theory and practice of direct marketing.

Shah said: "It feels brilliant to graduate and I'm over the moon about winning the award - I think I will really benefit from having an industry-recognised qualification in addition to my degree.

"I've always been interested in branding and marketing; having spent the third year of my course on a work placement with a market research company, I've also gained valuable professional skills and experience of working in the real world".

He now has his sights set on a career in sales and business to business marketing.

Janice Pickard, Director of Student Services at the IDM, said: "We are delighted that DMU students have achieved such impressive results and congratulate Kunal on an outstanding achievement.

"With an 86 per cent pass rate, and some achieving distinction and merit awards, it proves that if students are serious about a career in direct and digital marketing, DMU is an excellent place to start".

Geoff Wootten, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at DMU, said: "Closely targeted marketing has become essential in modern business and with the growth in personal digital media now going beyond the internet, a whole new world of opportunities is opening up for those just beginning their business careers.

We encourage our students to take the IDM's qualification alongside their degree and this is very well received by employers.

"These results are a great achievement and I'm thrilled that the efforts of students and staff have been recognised by the UK's leading professional body in this area".

Back to top