Friday 29 September 2017

60 Key Insights From the Millennial Marketing Conference

It may be mid-semester breaks for the University of Sydney’s Business School, but for four keen Master of Marketing students, yesterday was an opportunity to learn from some of the best Australian marketers in the industry at the Millennial Marketing Conference 2017. With speakers such as Stig Richards (Junkee Media), Adam Cadwallader (oHh!). Sam, Taunton (MTV), David Nemes (Buzzfeed), the day was an invaluable experience for all.


Lucky for those who missed out, MoM has got you covered. After eight hours of ‘actively listening’, sitting behind enemy lines in a UNSW auditorium, and developing a hand cramp from filling up half a notebook, I’m pretty sure my notes are solid. I learned A LOT and I hope these takeaways can help you too.

1. We live in a scrolling economy. #stopthethumb

2. The term ‘millennial’ covers a broad spectrum. From 20 y/o students to 37 y/o employees.

3. Millennials are getting older and so marketers must grow with them

4. We live in a world of post truth and biased reporting. Don’t lie to us because we already distrust you.

5. The world is going to hell but millennials remain positive. We care about climate change, social equality, refugees and foreign aid.

6. Marketing to mobile natives means mobile first. Who owns a laptop these days anyway? Isnt that for Netflix?

7. Facebook may not be cool but it is useful. We use is for getting the news and watching cute cat videos.

8. Visual messages are the strongest. Also they make it harder to lie.

9. Vertical videos for vertical devices. Urgh rotating is such a drag.

10. Younger millennial students are spending more time on campus. Urban hubs represent BIG marketing opportunities.

11. Campaigns launched on-campus are great local testing zones.

12. Students make great brand ambassadors (SBAs).

13. SBAs achieve access and identify trends that brands can’t. #coolhunting

14. SBAs can look to consumers of tomorrow, and capture loyalty early.

15. Millennials would rather save than be in debt. They have around 5-6.5K in savings, that will probs be spent travelling overseas.

16. Saving for the mid-term, means spending on travel, fashion, food and entertainment.

17. Millennials really like to connect socially over food. Then photograph it, whack on a filter and publish on Instagram.

18. Millennials are extending their adultification. Because adulting is hard and overrated. #YOLO

19. Millennials are a generation of side hustlers and entrepreneurs. 9-5 desk jobs hold absolutely no allure.

20. Credit is scary and so millennials would rather just save up.

21. Except for micro-credit options like Afterpay. #treatyoself

22. Grocery shops are done in bulk, with ready-to-eat and premium preferences. #SuperSunday is adult day. How can brands capitalise?

23. Video content should be ‘optimised’ or translated for a Gen Y audience with a short attention span. 40 seconds and you’ve lost me. #FUautoplay

24. The most liked videos are those that are simple, straightforward, contain stunts or keep the audience in suspense.

25. Content that has a utility or emotional function creates purpose in millennials lives. Scrolling should feel like time well spent. #timemanagement #wereNOTlazy

26. Most popular hits involve brands, especially FMCGs. Mmmm Tasty videos with Nutella. Yum!

27. ‘Dark social' or messaging apps are the future of customer experience.

28. Mastering messaging apps will pose a challenge, but bring about great rewards. You can’t track us, and that’s how we like it.

29. Brands MUST have a dark social strategy or eventually cede ground to new entrants who do.

30. Millennials live through the lens of music, making music videos the most watched.

31. Millennials are digital consumers through and through. Foxtel and FTA sucks. We are the ‘we want it now’ generation. TV has too many ads.

32. An average of 10 devices are connected per Gen Y household, making millennials the most connected humans in history.

33. Millennials are watching videos on PC for escaping, TV for relaxing and mobile for snacking. Make shorter videos.

34. Video creates an emotional connection, engages more and is more believable.

35. Quality matters most to millennials. Pop videos are fun, but only if image quality is good.

36. Millennials understand the reason for playing ads before videos, but like to skip them.

37. Musicians make the best influencers.

38. Content should be co-created and not prescribed to influencers.

39. Brands should be selective of their choice in ‘influencer’ and make sure they share the same brand values.

40. Influencers hate the word ‘influencer’ and prefer to be called ‘brand ambassadors’. #respect

41. Push selling never works. Millennials hate being sold to. We will block brands out if they scream at us.

42. Influencers don’t have to have a tonne of followers, they can be a voice of authority.

43. Snapchat is for private messaging between family and friends, so marketers should back off.

44. Branded content should ALWAYS be disclosed. #trust

45. Content should always be reflective of the brand values.

46. Boomerang and post-production overlays work better than professionally produced video.

47. Millennials trust real people, not brands. Truth, honesty and transparency build trust and brand advocacy.

48. Millennials expect more from brands, demanding new, useful, meaningful and interesting content delivered a the right time, through the right channel to the right audience.

49. PR stunts and experiential marketing creates mass awareness of a brand and a reason to talk about it.

50. PR stunts should be visually led activations, interactive (translatable online and offline), or newsjacking trends on social.

51. Brands should think like publishers and generate more and more content. Blogs are far from dead.

52. Saying that, we live in an age of user-generated content (UGC), so create an army of storytellers.

53. Connect content to things millennials care about to convert an already enagaged audience into loyal advocated.

54. Millennials are more likely to buy if that brand produces educational content.

55. They are 247% more likely to buy from an influencer blog.

56. Focus on the story and then think about the brand. #storyfirst

57. Speak a visual language. Develop a visual first strategy. A picture tells a thousand words.

58. Content should make your audience laugh, feel emotion and learn. #LEL

59. Keep it simple. 41% of Gen Y struggle with information overload.

60. Create content that people want to watch and share. That means always provide value.

**The MMC17 was presented by Growth Tank, a strategic marketing consultancy specialising in millennials. For more information on the points brought up in this blog, stay tuned for more detailed discussions and slides from the conference.

Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Tuesday 26 September 2017

5 Reasons Why Your Job Hunt Needs a Marketing Strategy



The job market these days is pretty ruthless. In the last decade the rules have changed, so for those of you switching careers or just entering the market, you should acquaint yourselves with how to play the game. If you want to compete with the fierce competition, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. That’s why, when it comes to job hunting, you need a marketing strategy.

While getting a masters degree is one step in the right direction, there’s still a lot more that can be done to give yourself a competitive edge. According to Study.com, on average, employees with a postgraduate qualification earn 20% more than those with a bachelor degree. That comforting snippet of information is all well and good, but it won’t help you land a job. University of Sydney students may be the most employable in Australia, but what will really help you get a job is preparation, dedication and a genuine desire to bring value to the company you are looking to work for.

Master of Marketing students at the University of Sydney are well aware that marketing is essentially about providing value. We wouldn’t dream about competing in the marketplace without a marketing strategy. So why should looking for a marketing job be any different?

It may require a little more effort on your behalf, but the time and energy invested will give you a higher ROMI when you land the marketing job that you are really passionate about.

1. Know what kind of role you want

How is a hiring manager supposed to know if you are the right candidate for the job, if you aren’t even sure yourself. Knowing what type of role you want is the most important thing to do before applying for a job. This can be quite difficult for marketers in particular because we generally have diverse skills across disciplines and we enjoy many aspects of marketing.

But even if you aren’t yet sure where you want to specialise or focus, the first step is knowing where your strengths lie. Ask yourself, ‘What am I interested in and what am I good at?’ If you apply to every role that has marketing in the title, you may end up doing a job that you aren’t that passionate about. Or worse yet- you could end up doing something that isn’t aligned to your career goals.


Source: University of Sydney. Integrated Marketing Communication. Brad Amos

Do you want to work on the agency or client side of the business? Have you identified the industry you want to work in? What are you career goals for the next ten years? What areas do you need the most experience in if you want to be a CMO? These are all questions you need to be asked yourself sooner rather than later.

TIP: Get a sheet of paper and fold it in half. On one side, make a list of all the job responsibilities that you like and on the other side write those that you don’t like. Then only apply for the jobs that list a good number of the responsibilities that you enjoy.


2. Apply for jobs at your experience level

If you are fresh out of uni and have little experience outside of class, even if you did excel, there’s a pretty good chance that you still aren’t qualified for upper-management positions. While some may have the prior experience to qualify for Manager, Director and Vice President of Marketing level roles, if you don’t have at least 3-5 years experience working in a similar function, you probably should adjust your expectations.

These types of roles require leaders who are experienced in managing and motivating teams as well as a good understanding of office politics and the organisational hierarchy. But don’t worry! You will get there, and when you do you will have worked hard to learn the skills to successfully execute the role.

It’s one thing to have ideas, as many of us do, but it’s another thing entirely to be able to successfully launch and and market different products and services. Nothing compares with actual experience in a real work environment. We don’t automatically deserve to be a CMO just because we have a degree from the University of Sydney. We have to earn the role.

3. Start building the skills you need for the position

There are more ways to show how you can add value to a company other than the traditional route. By being proactive and demonstrating that you have drive and passion, you can increase the interest in your profile. Wouldn’t it be nice to pick and choose who you want to work with? Standing out from the crowd should be your objective when it comes to applying for jobs. Going that extra mile will give you both leverage and the differentiating factor to show that you are a candidate than can provide value to the company.

TIPS:
  • Start learning the skills necessary for the job you want- whether that be by interning, self-learning or getting involved in side projects.
  • Go to networking events and conferences where high profile players in the industry will likely be present.
  • Get your LinkedIn page up to date, write and request referrals, and hone your personal brand.
  • Follow the companies you want to work with, influencers, key players in the industry and join groups that reflect your interests.
  • Write blog posts related to the role, job function or company you want to work with and then cold email their CEOs or CMOs.
  • Create a growth strategy for the company you want to work at and then go one step further and email the results to the CEOs
  • Write a 90-day marketing plan for companies as it’s usually one of the steps in the interview process for higher level positions. 
  • Research a company’s long-term and short-term goals and cold email the CEO and Head of Marketing about how they can achieve their goals.
  • Contact the hiring manager or someone in the marketing department of a company you want to work for on LinkedIn and ask to chat about their experience. This helps to form a relationship so later you can ask them for a referral.

4. Stand out from the crowd with an amazing resume

Aah remember the days when we could just send in a resume and cover letter and hope that we would get a job. Well, that’s all changed now. These days there can be between 50-100+ applicants all vying for the same job. If you are applying for a creative marketing or advertising role, thanks to online tools like Canva, it’s easier than ever to market yourself in a way that catches the attention of your would-be employer.

Take for example these two examples of eye-catching creative resumes:





















According to the Australian government’s ‘Job Outlook’ report (2014-2019), the Advertising and Marketing sector is expected to increase its demand for qualified professionals by over twenty percent. It may be a godsend for an already saturated industry, but with the influx of undergraduates to compete with, how do you justify to a hiring manager that YOU are the right candidate? You can write it in a CV or cover letter, you can dazzle them in the interview, but without the proof to back up your claims, you really have no leg to stand on.

Take for example, Nina Mufleh, whose dream was to work for Airbnb. After failing the traditional job seeker route, she decided to create a resume that displayed her knowledge of Airbnb and the travel industry, and that highlighted a business opportunity that Airbnb was missing out on. She then tweeted the CEO and CMO of Airbnb the resume, got a response, and landed an interview at the company along with interviews at Uber and LinkedIn. It really does pay to go the extra mile.

5. Don’t bluff your way through the interview

Finally, the last piece of advice I can give you is to be authentic during the interview process. If you’re asked a question that you don’t know the answer to, don’t lie or bluff your way through it. You will be respected more if you answer honestly.

According to Benji Hyam from Grow and Convert, ‘Hiring managers would rather hear that you don’t know how to do something and have you express your willingness to learn over listen to you fumble over an explanation from a blog post that you read the night before your interview.’

Instead , show them concrete examples of what you can do and what you have done. Come with printed examples of your work, or bring along an iPad to whip out and demonstrate your know-how. Show them case studies, blog posts you’ve written, figures to demonstrate your success on other projects. You can say things like ‘I increased leads by x%’. Or ‘I increased our conversion rates from x% to y% and it had z impact on the company’. Then show them the evidence to back it up.
If this seems like a lot of work to you, that’s because it is! But if you chip away a little at it each day or even week, come graduation, hopefully you will already have the job of your dreams lined up. Just remember that it all comes down to communicating the value you can offer to potential employers. Form a strategy to market yourself effectively, familiarise yourself with the market, identify your points of parody and differentiators, devise tactics to achieve your goals and then put into action.

Alyce Brierley 
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Friday 22 September 2017

Neuromarketing: Where Science Meets Art


When we think of brands, if they are well positioned, the first thing that comes to mind is a logo or a unique message. Strong brands occupy a single place in our minds and their message is always consistent. Even more so, they evoke a feeling. Sounds pretty simple right? But in fact it’s a lot more complicated than that.





Without much effort, most people are able to identify a brand’s logo, idea or message. Things like design, colour, and communication all focus on the consciousness. If we look at brands in a deeper way, we can see than they are actually a collection of messy associations. The challenge for marketers is then to tap into the functional and emotional benefits of a product or brand and convey that to a target audience.








Source: Creative Bloq. How many of these logos do you recognise?

Have you heard of the brand seduction?
In Daryl Weber’s Brand Seduction, he speaks about how neuroscience techniques can be used to build stronger brands. This statement could be somewhat daunting for many marketers who believe that ‘brand building is an art and as science is its nemesis.’ But with a little understanding of how the mind works, it’s easy to get a grasp of the decision making process.


In Research and Decision Making, we learn that there are two types of thinking; low involvement (system 1) and high involvement (system 2). System 1 thinking operates below conscious awareness. Decisions in this mode are spontaneous, fast, effortless, and intuitive.

Conversely, System 2 thinking is conscious, calculated and highly rational.

The link between the unconscious mind and nature of brands is described in Weber’s words as the Brand Fantasy. He writes, ‘’The brand fantasy is the unconscious web of associations that together form a mental representation of a brand.’’ While they are interpreted differently by different people, these emotional connections are often messy, irrational and abstract. But whether intentional or unintentional, they form a unique ‘essence’ or ‘personality’ of a brand and should be something that people want to aspire towards. 


How does neuroscience in marketing work?

Market research that uses neuroscience methods can help marketers gain a deeper understanding of human motivations. Using a variety of data types, such as demographic and psychographic information, along with with behavioral economics and psychology principles, marketers are able to better understand, predict and even influence consumer decision-making behavior.

This type of research reveals the thoughts, emotions, and motives below our conscious awareness that affect judgment and decision-making. These insights are then used for a range of reasons like building better brands, positioning, identifying a target audience, designing better customer experiences and creating narratives that resonate with customers on an emotional level.


Source: Merchant Mechanics. How emotions influence behaviour. 

Brands that have a good understanding of these principles employ tactics to appeal to consumers’ subconscious. Neuromarketing principles can be used to:
  • Optimise product characteristics
  • Create brands with strong emotional connections
  • Stimulate senses with packaging and colour 
  • Leverage ambience in store
  • Align communications
  • Tailor solutions for a specific need 












Source: Merchant Mechanics

When does it become unethical?
At the mention of ethics, alarm bells start sounding for some people. And yes, while there are some minor ethical concerns concerning the application of neuroscience to marketing practices, most of these fears are irrational. That’s why rules and regulations are in place to ensure companies are following ethical practices to provide consumers with as much control as possible. 


Using neuromarketing techniques is not about deception, or even manipulation. It’s about creating a ‘hook’ or an appeal that is clearly articulated. And while most people might think they aren’t susceptible to manipulation, countless psychological studies prove that humans are in fact influenced by factors outside their awareness. 

That’s why it’s more important than ever to build a strong brand identity with rich ‘brand fantasies’. Every piece of the brand must be aligned to the same fantasy and ingrained into the core of the company culture as a whole. In this way, there is the opportunity to add real value for consumers. 

Just as we get get more enjoyment out of something that cost more money, like an expensive car or pair of shoes, brands with strong associations and equity are also more attractive and enjoyable. This mutually beneficial arrangement gives something to both sides. Consumers get to live their fantasy and connect more with a brand and brands can charge more for their product or service. Even if these are perceived differences, to the mind, perception is reality. And that is all that really counts.

Alyce Brierley 
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Why We Should All Pay Attention To Blockchain

If you haven’t already heard of Blockchain or how it’s disrupting technology and industries, then it’s time to take note. With promises of increased accountability and transparent record keeping, smart contracts, secure decentralised payment systems, and token-based communities, Blockchain is set to bring about change, whether you like it or not.

At the University of Sydney’s Business School, students are taught how to challenge conventional thinking to remain agile in a constantly changing environment. Which is why students in the Master of Marketing program learn how to identify disruptive technologies and trends using a range of frameworks and underlying theories to help the brands they represent stay ahead of the game.

What is a Blockchain? 

Since its creation by the anonymous and illusive founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, Blockchain has meant a lot of things to a lot of people. But one of its principle applications is in the infrastructure behind Bitcoin. While it may just be the most revolutionary technology since the Internet, according to Martech Today, it’s essentially a distributed spreadsheet or ledger than is simultaneously maintained with no central data storage.

Authors of Blockchain Revolution, Don and Alex Tapscott, go one step further with their definition, describing it as an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value.




Unlike centralised financial institutions, there is no main body issuing funds, controlling the market or dictating how money is transferred. Simply put, digital currencies- or crypto-currencies, like Bitcoin, are actually accounting systems that can’t be co-opted or neutralised.

Instead, information exists as a shared and continually reconciled database, duplicated across a network of computers using the network. BlockGeeks write, ‘’The Blockchain database isn’t stored in any single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable. No centralised version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. Hosted by millions of computers simultaneously, its data is accessible to anyone on the Internet.’’

How is Blockchain disrupting global financial institutions?

Although you might just be learning of it, Blockchain is by no means a new technology. It is essentially a combination of asymmetric cryptography (public/private keys encryption, which is how the Internet is secured today) and distributed systems. Whispers of it were heard back in the 1990’s when the world wasn’t ready. Enter a world, post GFC, where the timing was ripe. It was clear to all that it was time to disrupt global financial institutions and create a fairer system of sending value over the Internet.


The Bitcoin Protocol, as described by Abdelmajid Erramiline in his post Bitcoin: a cryptocurrency revolution, differentiates itself from conventional currencies that are based on fixed quantity of metal or fiat currencies.

Instead, Bitcoin is:
  • Decentralized 
  • Easy to set up and it is fast 
  • Pseudonymous 
  • Transparent 
  • Minimal transaction fees 
  • Immutable and no duplicable transactions 
Since its invention in 2008, the Bitcoin blockchain has operated without any issues aside from those originating from human error or mal-intention. It’s robust, like the Internet, which has proven to be durable for around 30 years now. This is in part due to the fact that it possesses the ability to store blocks of information that are identical across its network. This decentralised peer-to-peer network protects against double spending by verifying each transaction added to the blockchain.


How could Blockchain change marketing & advertising?

As marketers and advertisers, we are constantly on the lookout for disruptive technologies and their impact on different industries. Which is why it’s important to take note of its adoption in these early stages.

Digiday explains some possible applications for the technology:
  • Customer relationship management 
  • Payment methods like multiparty payments and user ID verification 
  • Ad delivery verification 
  • Immutable contracts with consumers 
  • Transparent management of consumer 
  • Product authenticity verifications i.e. sustainability, authenticity, background or point of origin

When making online transactions, the whole process is closely connected to identity verification. It is easy to imagine that wallet apps will transform in the coming years to include other types of identity management. This possibility is perfectly summarised by William Mougayar, author The Business Blockchain: Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology , “Online identity and reputation will be decentralized. We will own the data that belongs to us.”

Who will use Blockchain technology?



If you aren’t already blown away by its obvious benefits, let me lay it out straight for you. The most obvious benefit to this technology is a more secure global payment system. So when we ask, ‘Who will use it?’ We can assume that it includes pretty much anyone and everyone who needs to pay for consumer goods.

The World Bank estimated that over $430 billion US in money transfers were sent in 2015 alone. One huge drawcard here is the ability to cut out the middle-man and all the accompanying fees. With the invention of ‘wallet’ applications for smartphones that allow people to make purchases with cryptocurrencies, and physical Bitcoin Cash distributers, Bitcoin can now be used by anyone and everyone to buy things electronically. Making it no different from conventional dollars.

In countries where governments have mismanaged the economy, causing hyperinflation, the benefits for consumers are increased tenfold. Because Bitcoin has the ability to be transferred across borders with no middleman and minimal fees, it’s the obvious choice for transferring money and paying for goods.


Luke Anderson, Lecturer at the University of Sydney and Director at Sigma Prime, explains how decentralised technologies are shifting the power dynamic away from the corporation and towards the individual:

"Traditionally, we've had no choice but to place a great deal of trust in organisations, and the judicial system that is tasked with keeping them honest. Now, decentralised technologies, such as blockchains, provide a game-changing alternative that enables us to place trust in technologies and mathematics which cannot be manipulated by any company or collective. This effectively shifts the power dynamic away from large corporations and towards the individual."

According to Deloitte, blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt industries such as financial services, remaking business practices such as accounting and auditing, and enabling new business models. So if strategists, planners and decision makers across industries and business functions want to keep their jobs in the future, they should already be investigating applications of the technology to avoid surprises.

Although it isn’t yet clear how this technology will be adopted across industries, it is obvious that innovation will likely change the future of transactions. Start-ups and even banks are beginning to adopt blockchain, which is why it is important for us to pay close attention.


Alyce Brierley

Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Friday 15 September 2017

Why I Chose The Master Of Marketing

As a student at the University of Sydney Business School's Master of Marketing program, I’m confident that at the completion of my degree, I will have developed skills to take on a central role in helping to resolve marketing issues and critical business decisions head-on.

The University of Sydney Business School, in collaboration with esteemed business leaders, developed the program to ensure that its graduates are qualified to meet the real needs of contemporary business. With a focus on interaction, collaboration, dynamism and real-time problem solving, Master of Marketing graduates are prepared to be leaders of the future. The program’s innovative curriculum makes it one of the most cutting-edge, industry-relevant marketing degrees in Australia, combining world-class teaching, theory and applied learning in real-world business contexts.

The Abercrombie Building, home of the Master of Marketing, University of Sydney.
Photographer: Trevor Mein

If you are considering taking a step towards learning the practical skills and knowledge that will transform your career, keep reading to find out why current students in the program chose this life-changing degree.

Mike Joyce
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program 

I chose the Masters of Marketing program at the University of Sydney to build upon my marketing experience and study the latest academic thinking. I dropped in at an Open Day and met Colin Farrell, the Unit of Study Coordinator of the Master of Marketing. After a short conversation, I knew this was the high standard of teaching and expectations that I was after. I could not have imagined the wonderful friendships that I have already formed in just a few months. The diverse group leads to incredible innovation, creativity and opportunities. I am proud of the work we have produced to date, and I feel lucky to have such amazing colleagues in the unit!


Master of Marketing students at the Semester 2 Orientation event.


Nicole Bernstein
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program 

I wanted to become an expert in my field. Marketing is so diverse, and I wanted a well-rounded education supporting me in any role that I took on. Understanding various marketing processes from start to finish, and their long-term effects on a brand were especially important to me. Specifically, a good balance of creativity and technical aspects like research and reporting were key factors in my decision to study at the University of Sydney.

Hazel Chen
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program

I chose to study a Masters of Marketing at the University of Sydney because I though it would be a good chance to go back student life, and this time to be more dedicated to my work. The University of Sydney has offered me the chance to get in contact with students who have different backgrounds. I have learnt how to express myself in a better way, and rid myself of my regular mindset. The robust teaching facilities and wonderful learning environment that’s fostered by the teaching team makes the University of Sydney one of the best universities. I am confident that it will forever remain a special life experience with good memories and true friends.


Lecture theatre in the Abercrombie Building, home of the Master of Marketing at the University of Sydney.

Tom Parish
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program 

I chose the University of Sydney to study a Master of Marketing because I had a lack of theoretical business knowledge. Coming from a background in neuroscience and being thrust into marketing management positions from graduation, I experienced a lot of failure and stress. Having a foundation in advanced marketing and management concepts is absolutely crucial in building a successful career and business, and this program has already proved to enhance my professional prospects within the first semester of study.

Future leaders coming up in the world in the Abercrombie Building.

Ayesha Hossain
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program 

I chose to study a Masters of Marketing at the University of Sydney because I wanted a career change. I have worked in the accounting industry for few years dealing with numbers. I know how to allocate and record revenue but I wanted to know more about how to generate it. I wanted to master the skills of marketing which is the key driver of any business that brings money. I am particularly interested in consumer behaviour and brand management and plan to pursue a PhD after completing this cutting edge degree.


Collaborative learning spaces in the Abercrombie Building.


Bowie Chen
Current student in the Masters of Marketing Program

I chose to study a Masters of Marketing at the University of Sydney because it has a great reputation worldwide. Its small class setting with people from different industries, nationalities and backgrounds attracted me the most. In order to pursue my career path further in consulting field, the Master of Marketing has provided me with great networking opportunities. It was through one of the guest speakers that, I got my first consulting job in Australia! It’s an international environment, with excellent professors and fellow students. All the inspiring ideas, encourage me to keep learning and be a better person every day.

The University of Sydney is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017 and 2018. In addition, the 2017 QS World University Rankings by Subject placed the University of Sydney in the top 40 in the world in business and management.

For more testimonials or to find out how to apply, follow the links or visit the Master of Marketing webpage.

Robert Brunning, Master of Marketing '16


Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Monday 11 September 2017

Top 5 Social Media Platforms of 2017

Jo Nash-Clulow, University of Sydney Business School (2017)

While social media marketing only ranks #5 on Smart Insight’s top rated digital marketing techniques of 2017, it continues to be one of the most valuable tools for brands to connect with their audiences. But with so many different platforms available, whether you are a MoM student at the University of Sydney, an entrepreneur, small business, or even working in a large corporation, it can be difficult to know just how many you actually need.

First you need to ask yourself three questions:

  1. Who is your audience?
  2. How can you reach them?
  3. What are your goals?
Source: Social Media Marketing, Which Platform Should You Use? (2016)


Keep reading to find out what the top five social media platforms are, along with their pros & cons, and the type of audience they can help you reach. 

Source: Smart Insights (2017)

1. Facebook

To date, Facebook has a social network of over 1.31+ billion users located around the globe. This huge audience base is made all the more accessible, as it incorporates most of the features of its competitors all in one place. Brands and users are able to share photos, videos, links and instant messages with pretty much anyone. But what that also means is that its highly saturated with brands, advertisers, click bait and complex algorithms that can often hinder as well as help when it comes to reaching your target audience.


2. LinkedIn

Number two on the list is none other than LinkedIn. If your target audience consists of business oriented or corporate fellows, this is the channel for you. The corporate brands that are capitalising on this platform provide a place for current and potential customers to network, connect and share ideas. There are around 380 million users, with 79% of those being either Gen X or Baby Boomers, making this the second largest social media platform in the world. The good news is that since it’s mostly used for networking, you don’t have to post something every day. A few times per week is enough, but be sure to read and interact with other’s posts if you aren’t sharing anything of your own.

3. Instagram

All hail Instagram! This social sharing site is all about connecting with consumers in a way they can relate by curating an ‘image’, or visual story, based on pictures, videos and #hashtags. Considering that mobile is rated #4 on the list of the top rated marketing techniques, this primarily mobile app boasts easy scrolling with minimal text, no links and stunning photography that is the perfect tool for marketers, brand advocates and influencers alike. While there is less personalised engagement than other networks, you can still get a lot of attention and grow an email list. The reach is extended tenfold thanks to the ability to search for hashtags and follow brands, celebs and influencers.  


4. Google+

Google+ can’t quite compete with Facebook, but this social network built by Google sure does have its perks. It might surprise you that it has around 300 million users and interestingly, 51% of those users are men! This platform features communities, the capacity to build circles, as well as my favourite- Google Hangouts, which is a great option if you can’t make it to a meeting in person. Brands who are actively using Google+ find that their ranking on Google search results improves significantly. Not to mention, that while there aren’t as many active brands, the ones that are tend to have a great following thanks to circles.

5. Twitter

The preferred social media platform of the US President, Donald Trump, Twitter is a micro-blogging social site that has continued to grow steadily over the years. The limited character posts don’t have to be a time-sucker either- you can put together a post while you are lining up for your morning coffee. With 289 million users, 29% of whom are millennials, the social network’s largest penetration is in the USA, but is gaining popularity in Oz. Users benefit from an instant news source and influencers, but with such a high volume of content, it can be hard to make an impact unless you are a dedicated user. Posting 1-2 times per day is optimal - especially with images. In his book 101 Plus Tips to Grow Your Web Traffic, Jeff Bullas illustrates how upping engagement with tweets accompanied by images can be increased by 111%! 

So there you have the top 5 social media platforms for marketing. Once you have done some form of segmentation and worked out what your goals are, you can start to break down which platforms are best for you. While it might be tempting to open accounts for all of them, unless your sole occupation is as a social media manager then you probably won’t have the time. The good news is that it isn’t necessarily time that you need to grow a business or brand following - it’s a strategy.
And most brands need no more than four carefully selected platforms cultivated to give the most value possible to the right audience. 

Roberto Blake, creative entrepreneur, owner and Creative Director of Create Awesome Media, LLC, suggests managing your time effectively, being comfortable with the platform, being creative, and playing your strengths. If you have no experience using video, then maybe don’t go for YouTube, opt for Instagram, or content marketing instead. 

For more information about choosing the right social media platform, watch the video below.


Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Friday 8 September 2017

The Value of Unlearning For The Future

Unlearn criminal. Unlearn love. Unlearn truth. Unlearn medicine. Unlearn threat. Unlearn drought. Unlearn classroom. Unlearn career path.

University of Sydney ‘Unlearn’ campaign image (2017)

The University of Sydney’s undergraduate campaign’s message, ‘Unlearn’, is as bold as it is different. In the past, the leading university’s more moderate message was to simply, ‘think outside the square’. This new campaign goes one step further by differentiating USYD as a revolutionary education provider that is not only relevant now, but will continue to be in the future. But what does it mean to unlearn? The Discipline of Marketing Director, Vince Mitchell explains,

"We used to learn based on the theory in textbooks, but now we are asked to unlearn that behaviour and learn in a different way. In marketing, segmentation was taught as a starting point for a marketing plan, but at the University of Sydney, that learned behaviour is also challenged. So we can talk about the learning process which we unlearn as well as marketing myths which we get people to unlearn."

Why unlearn?

The campaign message prompts us to think about how we spend our whole lives learning how to operate within the constructs of the social ‘norm’. But we take for granted the fact that not everyone has learned how to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs. There is value in being able to unlearn things, more specifically those old assumptions about the world which are no longer useful , the best answer or misleading. Or as the University says it, ‘’To be brave enough to question the world, challenge the established, demolish social norms and build new ones in their place.’’

University of Sydney ‘Unlearn’ campaign image (2017)

For a long time now there has been criticism of the modern university system. With some going as far as saying that ‘to save higher education, we need to get radical.’ Now, while I wouldn’t exactly say that the University of Sydney is radical, I believe that it has risen to these criticisms and endeavoured to actively take part in reshaping it, by preparing students for an uncertain and constantly changing future.

"We’ve reimagined the way we teach, so our students can reimagine the world."
Unlearn, University of Sydney (2017)

University of Sydney ‘Unlearn’ campaign image (2017)

Unlearning for the future.

At the University of Sydney’s Business School, our professors give us the tools to question everything we know, to understand the biases that underpin our decisions and underlying beliefs. We essentially learn how to re-write the rulebook to fit into the context of now and the future.

University of Sydney ‘Unlearn’ campaign image (2017)

The World Economic Forum estimates that the job market of the future will be very different from today. Throughout their careers, most current university students will have changed jobs at least seven times in their lives, while almost 5 million current jobs in Australia are expected to become obsolete by 2030.

So if you consider these changes along with the connectedness of the world today, it’s easy to understand how the way students learn and think is changing too. This campaign isn’t just words; the message goes all the way to the core of the university’s values. The teachers live and breathe these values, you can feel it in the curriculum, they lessons they teach, the discussions they facilitate.

In the Master of Marketing, we have come to know this as internal marketing. And I must say that as an advocate for the University of Sydney, I think they have it spot on.

Unlearning education.

Since my undergraduate degree, the classroom has changed quite a bit. Now I’m not exactly old. Circa 2005, we still had the interactive whiteboards, projectors and an online blackboard, but since then the whole learning experience has gotten so much more collaborative and hands-on.

From a marketing perspective, I can see that USYD is leveraging one of its most dynamic capabilities- the classroom. To see what I mean, take a look at this news article from the university website:

"Today, the classroom is flexible, creative, and agile – our students are logging in and learning from all over the globe. The modern tutorial room, lecture theatre and laboratory are still hives of activity."


But it’s not just about unlearning everything you know. It’s also important to point out that even if it’s through trial and error, there is always a benefit for learning new things as we explore and exploit new information.

The new curriculum emphasises the importance of social and ethical considerations, global perspectives, transformational classrooms, open learning environments and collaborative spaces- all of which directly appeal to the target audience’s social needs for connectedness.

So if we think about this undergraduate campaign and what it means in terms of the University of Sydney’s marketing strategy, we can see how they are leveraging their highly trained academic staff, dynamic curriculum, state of the art facilities, innovative technologies, brand equity, strategic partnerships and even their highly trained university graduates- which all lead to a sustainable competitive advantage.

I can say that after the six week intensive training with Margaret Matanda in Innovative Marketing Strategies, it’s hard not to notice these things anymore. I will never look at a poster in the train station the same way again.

For more information about the University of Sydney’s new curriculum, check out the article, 5 Ways The Classroom Has Changed Since You Were At Uni.

Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Tuesday 5 September 2017

Why CX Is Important For Marketing


Developments in digital technology, the connectivity of society, and evolving consumer trends have all impacted the marketing industry. As a result, customers are seeking personalised experiences.


Perfecting the ability to understand the customer through personalisation has long been a focus of marketers. Gone are the days of ‘one size fits all’ when it was enough to rely on price differentiation or product features alone. Now, customers want a positive and rewarding experience during their purchase.

In the Master of Marketing program, students are quick to learn importance of reviewing the customer journey and identify touchpoints to increase the value offered.

What Is CX?

Customer experience, referred to as ‘CX’, describes the many interactions a customer has with your organisation, the goal of which is to ensure that the experience offered to your audience is positive, memorable and aligned with the brand’s image.

It’s also a key differentiator for companies to set themselves apart from their competitors. Yes, product quality, features and price are still important, but more so now is customer service.


According to the findings from ‘The Path To 2020: Marketers Seize The Customer Experience’, a report by Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Marketo, by 2020, it is expected CMOs will match this understanding with direct action that drives engagement.
Is CX the key to innovative success?
Due to the fact that audiences are becoming resistant to mass media promotions, we need to formulate innovative marketing strategies that focus more on brand loyalty, preference and advocacy. This starts with a positive journey within an organisation, which it turn equates to more engagement and increased word-of-mouth .


There are two main reasons why CX is such a powerful driver for business success:
  • Promotional ‘above-the-line’ advertising is becoming less effective in reaching an audience, and
  • People are connected to some form of device almost every hour of the day, which means that they make decisions based on opinions of those in their social network
Opinions matter.
Every consumer has a voice and thanks to technology and increased expectations, it’s commonplace for them to leave testimonials ad ratings about their experiences online. Their opinions do matter, and the impact they have on the rest of your audience is significant.
  • 68% of consumers use social networking sites to read product reviews (Vocus)
  • 72% of consumers trust online reviews equally as much as personal recommendations (Search Engine Land)
  • 90% of consumers’ buying decisions are influenced by positive online reviews (Dimensional Research).
Personalised experiences create value for customers.


With automation, content, AI and CRM software at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever to engage with our audiences and drive results. Effective CX strategies leverage these technologies alongside external channels; such as social media and mobile web and apps, to create highly targeted and personalised customer experiences.

The sum of these tactics can help acquire and retain customers, increase brand loyalty, convert customers to advocates and extend their overall customer lifetime value to increase revenue.

Mapping the customer journey.


But giving customers what they want isn’t just about delivering tailored content, products and services. To better understand your audience, first it’s important to understand their pains and gains by completing frameworks to gain a deeper understanding of their journey. This unique perspective is attained only after completing a consumer profile or customer journey map.

To track their overall experience, it’s important to break down each phase of the journey, whether that’s consideration, evaluation, purchase, consumption or review,

Then and only then can we identify touchpoints to increase added value.

Knowing your audience has never been more important. Understanding the customer is one step towards creating a strategy that goes beyond the scope of customer channels and instead considers a more comprehensive approach of each interaction.
Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School

Friday 1 September 2017

Airbnb and The Age of Co-Creation

As the poster child of the share-economy, Airbnb is expanding its offering by pushing the boundaries of the service industry through creativity, collaboration and innovation. This strategic approach makes Airbnb a prime example of how businesses today can seize opportunities to create more value for customers.


MoM students, at the University of Sydney, might remember how last semester in Internal Marketing, with Pennie Frow, we explored the benefits of co-creation. You can probably answer these next questions, but for the others, you might be wondering - what is co-creation? And how is it changing the landscape of contemporary business?

What is co-creation?

Co-creation is essentially an interactive and mutually beneficial process of resource sharing and innovation with an enhanced stakeholder - or customer market focus. Companies with a holistic approach to employing these processes internally are able to foster an environment of collaboration; opening a realm of possibilities for not only firms, but the different customer markets of the company.


In this day and age, the change of focus from products to services has ushered in a new, innovative approach to service design practices, ultimately becoming the principle way of working.

The peer-to-peer accommodation platform, Airbnb, recognises that partnering with other high profile organisations presents the opportunity for enhanced value creation. These strategic alliances mobilise an otherwise passive audience into active co-producers and presents countless opportunities to capitalise on the creative potential of stakeholders by engaging them through participation.

To give you a better idea of how exactly they are achieving this, let’s take a look at some examples.

Airbnb & Sweden's Tourism Campaign.


Let’s go back to May earlier this year, when Sweden listed the whole country on Airbnb. Do you remember that? The official tourism board of the country, Visit Sweden, partnered with Airbnb to co-design an online video ad for the campaign. The partnership, which was the first of its kind for Airbnb, introduced viewers to the nation’s Right to Roam Act, which allows people full access to walk, cycle and camp on the nation’s public land for free.


James McClure, general manager Northern Europe at Airbnb explained, “It is designed to promote Sweden as a destination through the power of the Airbnb community which is perfectly placed to showcase the many extraordinary locations to stay throughout the country.”


Mercedes Benz relationship experience design. 

As a consumer favourite in its own right, Airbnb is further increasing its reach and disrupting the hotel and accommodation industry by building high-profile partnerships with big brands such as Mercedes-Benz.


At the beginning of August, 2017, to promote its new Marco Polo Activity van via the #MarcoPoloActivity social push, Mercedes-Benz Vans gave Airbnb users the chance to spend a night in the brand new Marco Polo Activity van on Cockatoo Island. The five-to seven-seater van has a roof that pops up and back seats that fold down for sleeping.


Ikea & Airbnb's sleepover campaign. 


Ikea’s partnership with Airbnb, saw them co-create a campaign, to promote Ikea bedroom solutions, by hosting three families overnight in its Tempe, Sydney store. The campaign, won its agencies a Webby Award in the social/events category, involved turning the store into a bed and breakfast that included three bedrooms, a communal dining area and a kids’ play room.


With a media spend of literally zero, branded content and advertising agency, The Monkeys, along with PR agency, Mango, co-designed the campaign for Ikea, which reached a PR audience of nearly 800 million.

Fly There, Live There collaboration with Qantas. 

This world-first partnership offered Australian travellers the chance to earn Qantas frequent flyer points when they booked stay their Airbnb via qantas.com. Delivered in the form of a series of videos, the promotional clips featured Qantas flight attendants explaining the features of various Airbnb accommodation listings in the style of an in-flight safety demonstration, as well as ‘fly there. live there’ campaign material.


In recognising the different touchpoints within the customer journey, both Qantas and Airbnb were able to come together and embrace a modern consumption model. Recognising that customers were just as likely to arrange an Airbnb as they were to book a hotel, Qantas and Airbnb took the opportunity to reward their customers. “The way that people around the world plan, book and experience travel is changing rapidly with the digital revolution,” says Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.


Airbnb has identified and capitalised on the rapidly growing trends of customers seeking personalised experiences, experiential marketing, and the incorporation of digital technologies. CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky highlights Airbnb’s ability to offer unique experiences - something which could only be described as a dynamic capability.

In the near future, the company will undergo some fundamental changes as they expand their offering and react to changes in the marketing environment. In adding experiences and much more to the platform, it will be exciting to see how Airbnb will continue to use innovation and co-creation to stay ahead of the game.

Alyce Brierley
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School