Students
MKTG8011 – Strategic Branding
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Rico Piehler
Contact via email
4 Eastern Road, Room 230
Mon 2-3PM: Please make an appointment for an individual slot
Tutor
Shveta Sharma
Contact via email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
((Admission to MMktg or MCom) and MKTG6096) or (Admission to GradCertResBus or GradDipResBus)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Brands are important assets for companies. Developing strong brands and managing them over time is crucial in sustaining competitive advantages. Moreover, brands are also valuable for consumers because they simplify decision making and represent important symbolic devices. This unit develops students’ ability to critically analyse and evaluate branding theories and concepts. Students will also learn to apply branding theories and concepts and communicate marketing solutions. Finally, students will practice developing and communicating branding strategies to launch and manage brands in collaboration with peers. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Critically analyse and evaluate branding theories and concepts.
- ULO2: Apply branding theories and concepts and communicate marketing solutions.
- ULO3: Develop and communicate branding strategies to launch and manage brands in collaboration with peers.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice-based activities | 30% | No | Weeks 3-13 (with the exception of week 9) |
| Branding Group Presentation | 30% | No | 13/04/2025 |
| Individual Report | 40% | No | 01/06/2025 |
Practice-based activities
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Weeks 3-13 (with the exception of week 9)
Weighting: 30%
Practice-based activities are assessed throughout the semester according to the level of genuine contribution to the face-to-face and online seminars, the online iLearn discussion forum and the online quiz.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and evaluate branding theories and concepts.
- Apply branding theories and concepts and communicate marketing solutions.
Branding Group Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 13/04/2025
Weighting: 30%
In groups, students develop a presentation on a branding topic and present their results. Length: 20 minutes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply branding theories and concepts and communicate marketing solutions.
- Develop and communicate branding strategies to launch and manage brands in collaboration with peers.
Individual Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 01/06/2025
Weighting: 40%
Related to the topic of the branding group presentation, students prepare and submit an individual report. Lenght: 2,000 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and evaluate branding theories and concepts.
- Apply branding theories and concepts and communicate marketing solutions.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
- 1-hour pre-recorded lecture (2-3 short lecture videos: 20-30 minutes each)
- 2-hour seminar (face-to-face on campus)
Resources
All weekly material will be released one week ahead on iLearn:
- pre-recorded lecture videos,
- additional external resources,
- lecture slides,
- required readings,
- iLearn discussion forum and
- iLearn quiz.
The seminar slides will be uploaded after the seminars.
It is expected that students watch the lecture videos and the additional external resources, read the prescribed literature, contribute to the iLearn discussion forum and complete the iLearn quiz before attending the weekly seminars.
There is no prescribed textbook in the unit. The compulsory reading consists of academic journal articles (e.g., from the Journal of Brand Management, Journal of Product & Brand Management, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Academy of Marketing Science, International Journal of Research in Marketing, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Management) and chapters in branding textbooks.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to Branding
Week 2: The Relevance of Brands for Consumers and Companies
Week 3: Brand Management Process, Objectives and Knowledge
Week 4: Brand Identity
Week 5: Brand Positioning
Week 6: Brand Elements
Week 7: Building the Brand Internally
Week 8: Building the Brand Externally
Week 9: Group Presentations
Week 10: Brand Architecture
Week 11: Brand Evolution
Week 12: Brand Controlling
Week 13: Managing Global Brands
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook