Students

MKTG8033 – Social Media Marketing

2026 – 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 and Lecturer
Dr Helen Siuki
helen.siuki@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
4 Eastern Rd, room 240
Monday 12-1pm, Zoom/ F2F
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MMktg and MKTG6096) or (Admission to MInfoSysMgmt or MIntBus or MBusAnalytics) or MKTG8011 or MKTG8015
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Social media networks provide a dynamic, interactive, and cost-effective platform that helps marketing managers to tackle contemporary marketing challenges. The applications of social media enable marketers to co-create marketing content, co-develop and share stories that stimulates and encourages consumer engagement with the firm. The widespread use of social media has driven businesses, regardless of their size and scope, to adopt social media marketing in their marketing activities.
 
This unit will develop students’ knowledge about social media marketing as a contemporary approach to market a business through ongoing interactions with the consumers. The unit will focus on developing students’ skills to critically evaluate organisations’ social media marketing, and the effectiveness of the social media activities and campaigns. The unit will develop students’ ability to create a social media campaign to market new products/services, or to reinforce existing products/services.

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: Discuss and apply social media marketing theories and activities to interact with the consumers, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.
  • ULO2: Critically evaluate the effectiveness of organisations’ social media marketing, activities, and campaigns
  • ULO3: Create a social media campaign to market new or existing products/services and justify the effectiveness of the campaign, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional practice: Campaign blueprint 40% No 02/04/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Professional practice: Campaign execution and pitch 30% No 25/05/2026 Group No Observed
Skills development: Social media portfolio 30% No 05/06/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Professional practice: Campaign blueprint

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 02/04/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop a comprehensive strategy for a social media marketing campaign, deepening your understanding of effective social media marketing practices and decision-making processes.
 
You will conduct research into the brand, industry, competitors, and target audience which will enable you to set clear campaign objectives and select appropriate social media channels and tactics. Lastly, you will create a detailed blueprint for the campaign, including the strategies, tools, and resources, ensuring all elements are aligned with the campaign's goals.
 
Skills in focus:
 
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness 
Deliverable(s): Report [max. 2,000 words]
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss and apply social media marketing theories and activities to interact with the consumers, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.
  • Critically evaluate the effectiveness of organisations’ social media marketing, activities, and campaigns
  • Create a social media campaign to market new or existing products/services and justify the effectiveness of the campaign, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.

Professional practice: Campaign execution and pitch

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 25/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain expertise in designing a social media marketing campaign that focuses on strategic planning, content creation, and audience targeting. This project aims to enhance strategic planning, teamwork, and presentation skills, preparing students for professional marketing roles.
 
You will develop and present a comprehensive social media marketing campaign that includes strategic planning, content creation, and precise audience targeting.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Communication skills
  • Collaboration skills
  • Critical thinking and problem solving 
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge 
Deliverable(s): Presentation [10 minutes, max 20 slides]
Group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss and apply social media marketing theories and activities to interact with the consumers, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.
  • Create a social media campaign to market new or existing products/services and justify the effectiveness of the campaign, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.

Skills development: Social media portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to showcase your proficiency in applying social media marketing theories, strategies, and tools. This assessment equips students with essential skills for professional roles in social media marketing.
 
You will create a portfolio based on social media-related activities you complete throughout the semester. The portfolio will showcase your development and utilisation of effective social media marketing theories, strategies, and tools.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Digital skills
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
Deliverable(s): Portfolio submission [max. 2,000 words]
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate the effectiveness of organisations’ social media marketing, activities, and campaigns
  • Create a social media campaign to market new or existing products/services and justify the effectiveness of the campaign, individually and/or in collaboration with peers.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGY

• The unit is delivered in a seminar format. Students are expected to be active and engaged learners, contributing fully to seminar sessions.

• Learning activities include individual and group tasks that are to be completed during private study and in the seminars. Students need to read in advance of class, participate in ilearn/ in-class tasks, be prepared to work in small groups and discuss the materials assigned each week.

• The lecture notes, social media marketing cases, and other resources will be posted on iLearn at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au on a weekly basis. Students are required to check iLearn regularly for announcements/ updates.

CLASSES

  • There are 2 hr weekly seminar sessions which consist of class activities and discussions.
  • Pre-recorded lectures (1 hr) will be available on iLearn, on a weekly basis, prior to each seminar session.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
  • Attendance will be taken in class.
  • Students are expected to arrive on time and not to leave until the class ends.

Technology Used and Required • Use of a PC or laptop is required to access internet/ social media platforms, tools, and complete tasks on iLearn, and to access iLearn for course materials.

• Softwares required include: E.g., Zoom, Word processing, PowerPoint, video recorder & video/ media player, Acrobar Reader, social media management dashboards, etc.

Recommended textbooks: Debra Zahay, Mary Lou Roberts, Janna Parker, Donald I. Barker, Melissa S. Barker, (2022), Social Media Marketing: A Strategic Approach, 3rd Edition, Cengage.

Tuten, T. L., (2020), Social Media Marketing, 4th Edition, Sage Publications Ltd (UK).

Supplementary Resources: Bianchi, A., (2021), Driving Consumer Engagement in Social Media, 1st Edition, Publisher: Routledge

Heggde, G., and Shainesh, G. (2018), Social Media Marketing - Emerging Concepts and Applications, Palgrave Mcmillan.

MacDonald, J. (2019), Social Media Marketing Workbook: How to Use Social Media For Business, JM Internet Group.

 

Unit Schedule

Please refer to iLearn. 

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:

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/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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:

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

No Major changes.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook