Introductory description

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC) and the various ways in which marketing communications are employed by individuals and by organisations in both for-profit and non-profit contexts. Students will explore the principles of communication theory and are encouraged to reflect critically upon how they apply in the commercial field of marketing. Students are introduced to marketing communications strategy formulation and communications planning and will explore a range of promotional tools and techniques that can be employed individually, and in concert, to achieve specific communications objectives. They will also reflect upon what constitutes 'creativity' within the field of IMC and the importance of ethics and sustainability. Finally, students will explore ways of measuring the effectiveness of IMC campaigns and reflect critically upon both the value and the challenges associated with current measurement techniques.

This module will be taught using the 1+1+1 structure. One hour in-person lectures will be followed by one hour of directed student activity that is specifically formulated to prepare students for the tasks to be tackled in the one hour in-person seminar. Full details of the sessions and supporting resources will be available on the myWBS VLE and a full Talis reading list is available through the Warwick University Library Website.

Key features of this module include a grounding in contemporary marketing communications practice so that students not only develop subject-specific expertise but can practice important transferable professional skills. Examples and cases from current industry practice will be employed both as illustrations within lectures but also as the basis for challenges and tasks within seminar activity. The assessment strategy is purposefully grounded in industry-relevant practices and using real-life industry communication challenges.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Integrated marketing communication as a strategic marketing tool

The marketing industry structure and the client/agency relationship

Models of communication and marketing communication

The marketing communication 'toolbox': traditional and contemporary media mixes

Omnichannel marketing communications planning and strategy

Creativity and creative tactics

Managing planned and unplanned communcation - paid, owned and earned media

International and cross cultural communication

Ethics and sustainability in marketing communication

Evaluation and control of integrated marketing communications campaigns

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Define key concepts, models and constructs applicable to the field of integrated marketing communication.
• Appraise the relative strengths and limitations of a range of tools and techniques that might be employed when implementing an integrated marketing communication strategy.
• Propose an approach to evaluate a given integrated marketing campaign.
• Demonstrate analytical and evaluative skills through the selection of appropriate tools and techniques in response to a specific communication challenge.

Indicative reading list

Juska, J.M. 2022, Integrated marketing communication: advertising and promotion in a digital world, Second edn, Routledge, New York, NY.
Smith, P.R. & Zook, Z. 2020, Marketing communications: integrating online and offline, customer engagement and digital technologies, Seventh edn, KoganPage, London, United Kingdom;New York, NY;.
Kitchen, P.J. & Tourky, M.E. 2022, Integrated marketing communications: a global brand-driven approach, 2nd edn, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Research element

Students are expected to undertake research using secondary sources in preparation for seminar exercises and to underpin and evidence their choices in the course of their assessment.

Interdisciplinary

This module should be available to non-WBS students who satisfy the pre-requisite requirements.

International

International and cross cultural communication will be addressed at various points over the course of the module.

Subject specific skills

Analyse a given communication environment and select appropriate target market(s).

Formulate a coherent and integrated marketing communication plan in response to a set of marketing communication objectives.

Analyse the ethics of communications choices and issues of sustainability and reflect critically upon those involved in a given integrated communications context.

Transferable skills

Information search and evaluation

Academic and professional communication skills

Group work skills