Students
MKTG802 – Marketing Communications
2018 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Yimin Huang
4ER 450
3:30pm-4:30pm, Wednesday
Yang Yang
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
MKTG696
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Marketing communications are an integral part of an organization’s overall marketing activities and play a critical role in determining its success in the market. Today, marketing professionals face new opportunities, but also significant challenges in communicating with consumers with an evolving media landscape and different dynamics between consumers and brands. Marketing professionals can rise to challenges and maximise opportunities by taking new perspectives to marketing communications strategies.
This unit takes a decision-focused approach to develop students’ knowledge of the principles that marketers need to consider when developing communications strategies and action plans. Students will learn to analyse, design and evaluate different marketing communications for different target audiences. The unit focuses on the design and execution of research-based, audience-focused and results-driven marketing communications campaigns.
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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:
- An understanding of the elements of contemporary marketing communications, including the decisions, the strategies, the tools and the trends
- A capacity of identifying and analysing marketing communications problems as well as devising sound and practical solutions
- An appreciation of the need to plan marketing communications in a comprehensive and integrated manner
- Development of the analytical and creative skills necessary to prepare a marketing communications plan
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Critique | 20% | No | Week 3 and onwards |
| Big Project | 40% | No | Week 4,7,9,11 and 13 |
| Final Exam | 40% | No | TBD |
Advertising Critique
Due: Week 3 and onwards
Weighting: 20%
This assignment is based on individual work. It brings real-life experiences to the learning about creative evaluation of advertisements, aiming to develop students’ critical, analytical and integrative thinking. Students will be randomly assigned to specific themes and present a rigorous and critical analysis of the advertisements that are chosen by students guided by the themes. Students are expected to develop logical and convincing arguments in regards to what are specific qualities that make this advertisement a good/bad one. Relevant theories/concepts in Marketing Communications may be applied as appropriate frameworks and perspectives in the discussion.
No late submission is allowed unless a special consideration is granted.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An understanding of the elements of contemporary marketing communications, including the decisions, the strategies, the tools and the trends
- A capacity of identifying and analysing marketing communications problems as well as devising sound and practical solutions
- Development of the analytical and creative skills necessary to prepare a marketing communications plan
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Big Project
Due: Week 4,7,9,11 and 13
Weighting: 40%
The task in this assignment is to prepare a marketing communications plan in response to a brief. To undertake this task students are required to work in a group consisting of approximately 5 members. There are 4 stages of work involved in this project, including reports and a group presentation. Stage 1 and Stage 3 will be based on individual work. Detailed project brief will be provided as a separate document available on iLearn. No extensions will be granted. Late submission of reports will be subject to 10% off every 24 hours except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- A capacity of identifying and analysing marketing communications problems as well as devising sound and practical solutions
- An appreciation of the need to plan marketing communications in a comprehensive and integrated manner
- Development of the analytical and creative skills necessary to prepare a marketing communications plan
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Final Exam
Due: TBD
Weighting: 40%
A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that: 1. the product belongs to the student and 2. the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam.
A 3-hour final examination for this unit will be held during the University Examination period. No early final examination will be granted. Supplementary final examination might be organized based on the evaluation of a proper application for special consideration submitted before the final examination.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An understanding of the elements of contemporary marketing communications, including the decisions, the strategies, the tools and the trends
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Delivery and Resources
Number and length of classes: 3 hours’ face-to-face teaching per week for 13 weeks consisting of lectures and student presentations The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Prescribed Textbook (The prescribed textbook can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop):
Ang, Lawrence (2014), Principles of Integrated Marketing Communications, Cambridge University Press
Recommended Texts
• Hill, Sam and Glenn Rifkin (1999), Radical Marketing, HarperPerennial
• Bedbury, Scott and Stephen Fenichell (2002), A New Brand World: 8 Principles for Achieving Brand Leadership in the 21st Century, Penguin Group
• Kim, Chan and Renee Mauborgne (2005), Blue Ocean Strategy, Harvard Business School Press •
Supplementary readings: These readings will be posted on the course website.
Unit Webpage
Course materials, including lecture notes, supplementary readings, project briefs and course related announcements, are available on iLearn at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au.
Unit Schedule
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Week |
Lecture |
Readings |
Tutorial |
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Part I Overview of Marketing Communications |
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1 |
Introduction to the course
Introduction to Marketing Communications: its role in business, challenges and decisions |
Chapter 1, Textbook |
Breaking the ice |
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2 |
How to gain consumer insights? |
Chapter 2, Textbook;
Supplementary readings |
Grouping
IMC campaign brief for the group project
Briefing on Advertising Critique;
Allocation of themes for Advertising Critique;
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Part II Planning Marketing Communications Campaigns |
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3 |
How to plan an IMC campaign: Positioning strategies for building brand equity
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Chapters 3, 13, Textbook |
Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (advertising for FMCG) |
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Part III Marketing Communications Tools and Evaluations |
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4 |
What to consider for an advertising campaign I: Media strategies in advertising |
Chapters 4, 5, Textbook |
Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (advertising in business-to-business marketing)
Submission of Stage 1 report of major group project |
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5 |
What to consider for an advertising campaign II: Creative strategies in advertising |
Chapters 6,7, Textbook
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Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (application of appeals of humor, fear and sex in advertising)
Feedback to Stage 1 Report
Briefing on Stage 2 Report |
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6 |
How about direct marketing, personal selling and sales promotion? |
Chapters 10,11, Textbook
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Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (creativity in advertising) |
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7 |
How about public relations, sponsorship and event marketing? |
Chapter 9, Textbook
Supplementary Readings |
Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (advertising surrounding event sponsorship)
Submission of Stage 2 report |
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Mid-Semester Break |
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8 |
Alternative marketing |
Chapter 8, Textbook |
Feedback to Stage 2 Report
Briefing on Stage 3 Report and Presentation |
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9 |
Marketing Communications campaign evaluation |
Chapters 12, Textbook
Supplementary readings |
Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (advertising for social marketing)
Submission of Stage 3 Report (individual) |
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Part IV Special Topics in Marketing Communications |
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10 |
Opportunities and challenges of New Media |
Supplementary readings |
Individual presentation on Advertising Critique (advertising with new media)
Feedback to Stage 3 report |
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Part V Group Presentations |
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11 |
Group Presentation on IMC Project (Stage 3) |
Briefing on Stage 4 Report |
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Part VI Course Review |
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12 |
Course Review |
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13 |
Briefing on the final exam Submission of Final Report of the group project |
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Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). 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
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- An understanding of the elements of contemporary marketing communications, including the decisions, the strategies, the tools and the trends
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Assessment tasks
- Advertising Critique
- Final Exam
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- A capacity of identifying and analysing marketing communications problems as well as devising sound and practical solutions
- An appreciation of the need to plan marketing communications in a comprehensive and integrated manner
- Development of the analytical and creative skills necessary to prepare a marketing communications plan
- An ability to effectively communicate each component of the marketing communications campaign in both oral and written forms
Assessment tasks
- Advertising Critique
- Big Project
- Final Exam
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- A capacity of identifying and analysing marketing communications problems as well as devising sound and practical solutions
- An appreciation of the need to plan marketing communications in a comprehensive and integrated manner
Assessment task
- Big Project