The evening of Tuesday 2nd October saw the launch of the CIM/University of Westminster Marketing Club at a packed event in the Chiltern Hall, on the topic of “Digital marketing trends”. The club and this inaugural event were organised jointly by the CIM’s Phil Preston and our Dr Donna Mai, Course Leader of MA/MSc Marketing Management. The aim of the Marketing Club is to give practicing marketers an opportunity to take time-out, challenge thinking, learn new skills and share experiences with the next generation of marketing talent. Our students benefit from exposure to the latest thinking from industry experts, and from the opportunity to network with the practitioners attending the events.
The guest speaker for the inaugural event was Dr Dave Chaffey, co-founder and Content Director of online marketing advice publisher Smart Insights. Dave gave his first training course on online strategy for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in 1997, created his first site in 1998, and wrote his first book, Internet Marketing: Strategy, Implementation and Practice in 2000. He has specialised in helping individuals learn best practices and businesses improve their ROI from these exciting, dynamic channels ever since.
In his introduction, the Head of Westminster Business School (WBS), Professor Malcolm Kirkup, reminded attendees that the University of Westminster awarded the UK’s first ever postgraduate qualification in marketing – a diploma, which soon evolved into an MA in Marketing Management. Years later, the launch of Westminster Business School coincided with the launch of the MA in Marketing Communications.
Westminster Business School and the CIM enjoy a connection spanning several decades, with students on business degrees gaining maximum exemptions from the institute’s professional qualifications. Members of Westminster staff have served as CIM examiners, members of the CIM Senate, and the Learning Advisory Group. A later merger of WBS with Harrow Business School brought three undergraduate degrees in marketing to the West End. These too had maximum exemptions from the CIM. When the CIM introduced the “Graduate Gateway,” Course Leader Zena Lutrin started the application process for the WBS degrees; sadly ill health forced her sudden early retirement. The task was subsequently completed by Jackie Lynch.
A series of further Marketing Club events is planned – watch out for announcements.
We would like to credit and thank the author Dr Jaafar El-Murad, School of Management and Marketing, for writing and contributing this blog piece. Edited by Joseph Coote-Cowling.
Joseph Coote-Cowling
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This definitely is a great initiative. I am a post grad from University Of Westminster and had the previlige of successfully completing my MAMM course where Donna was my instructor for Marketing Research module.
Digital understanding and correct usage is extremely important in the current much agile business environment. The idea is to crack the right formula where efficient marketing spend leads to the same growth as the business require. Digital marketing is an essential module that should be taught and industry experts are the one who can deliver the relevant insights and trends for the students, so they are better equipped to take up the challenge when they hit the market. Surely miss my days at Westminster…
Congratulations on this initiative! Being a post graduate of MA MM in 2004 and having Donna Mai as my Dissertation Supervisor and instructor for Marketing Research Module, I can only say that this will provide an outstanding platform for all professionals and aspiring students to benefit from. I look forward to the earliest opportunity to attend seminars, talks, and courses to keep abreast of the trends in this field.
Congratulations to Donna Mai on this initiative! Being a post graduate of MA MM in 2004, I feel this will provide an outstanding platform for all professionals and aspiring students to benefit from. I look forward to the earliest opportunity to attend seminars, talks, and courses to keep abreast of the trends in this field.
Great initiative! Dave from Smart Insights really knows what he is talking about.
Wonderful report! I really love your hard work!
Great initiative! Dave from Smart Insights really knows what he is talking about.