Course program
The course delves into the definition of advertising, branding, and integrated communication, and examines their interconnections in an era characterized by the evolution and proliferation of traditional marketing communication methods.
After tracing the evolution of promotional communication over recent decades, the course explores the latest models, languages, and techniques, with particular emphasis on digital promotional strategies.
Furthermore, it outlines the steps involved in crafting an integrated communication plan, offering guidance on creating one based on a marketing brief.
The course is structured into two main sections. The first part provides an overview of the discipline, including theories and reference models. The second part focuses on the developmental stages of an integrated brand communication campaign.
Various teaching methodologies are employed, including lectures, case study analyses, insights from industry professionals, and both individual and group exercises.
Prerequisites
The course requires initial preparation, as it is based on some basic knowledge about communication, advertising, and marketing.
In order to successfully attend classes and understand the syllabus students should have basic knowledge about the following topics:
The definition of advertising
The definition of marketing
The relationship between marketing and advertising
Characteristics, theories and models of traditional promotional communication
However, in the first two weeks of the course, basic concepts necessary for a successful understanding of the teaching are summarized.
Books
For non-attending students, the exam texts are three:
1. F. D'Amato, P. Panarese, Pubblicità e comunicazione integrata. Modelli, processi e contenuti, Carocci, Roma, 2016.
2. V. Gabrielli, Brand communication, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2014.
3. P. Panarese, C. De Luca, La pubblicità nell’era digitale. Modelli e processi, Carocci, Roma, in uscita a ottobre 2024.
Attending students have to develop an integrated communication plan and to study the following two texts:
1. F. D'Amato, P. Panarese, Pubblicità e comunicazione integrata. Modelli, processi e contenuti, Carocci, Roma, 2016.
2. P. Panarese, C. De Luca, La pubblicità nell’era digitale. Modelli e processi, Carocci, Roma, in uscita a ottobre 2024.
and course slides posted on the Google classroom
Frequency
Attendance at in-person lectures is not compulsory, but suggested.
Exam mode
The assessment comprises an oral examination, along with three in-class exercises (two individual and one group) and a project for students who attend regularly.
The oral examination evaluates comprehension of various aspects including the socio-economic landscape, the evolution and characteristics of brand communication, theoretical frameworks, conceptual guidelines, aesthetic and content trends, as well as proficiency in interpreting a marketing brief and critically analyzing communication campaigns and audience data from major media outlets.
Classroom exercises aim to test skills in identifying components of a copy strategy, understanding the relationship between strategy and creativity, and applying key media planning metrics.
The project, exclusively undertaken by regular attendees and evaluated through a classroom presentation at the course's conclusion, assesses the ability to devise a communication strategy and media plan, conduct research, work autonomously, and apply theoretical concepts to practical group communication tasks.
For regular attendees, the examination score is calculated based on both the average examination score and the project assessment, graded on a scale from 0 to 30.
The final evaluation is structured as follows:
Grade: 29-30 - Description: Learning objectives achieved to an exceptional standard. Demonstrates outstanding knowledge, expressive ability, confidence in presentation, critical analysis skills, and adeptness in connecting topics and providing independent examples.
Grade: 27-28 - Description: Learning objectives met at a very high level. Exhibits strong knowledge, expressive ability, presentation confidence, and critical analytical skills.
Grade: 22-26 - Description: Learning objectives achieved at an adequate level. Demonstrates satisfactory knowledge, expression, and presentation confidence.
Grade: 18-21 - Description: Learning objectives met at a basic level. Displays sufficient thematic, analytical, and communicative skills.
Grade: <18 - Description: Learning objectives not met satisfactorily. Demonstrates insufficient thematic, analytical, and communicative proficiency.
Lesson mode
To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic landscape, the evolving role, characteristics, functions, theories, models, concepts, guidelines, aesthetic and content trends, key stakeholders in the industry, the nexus between marketing and communication, and the developmental phases of an integrated communication campaign, face-to-face lectures will be conducted. These sessions will utilize slides featuring images and videos showcasing communication examples to augment and illustrate the theoretical discourse.
Industry-specific lectures and discussions on the developmental stages of advertising campaigns will host advertising professionals, such as creatives, account managers, media planners, and digital experts. They will draw upon their professional experiences to present real-world case studies.
The presentation of case studies aims to cultivate students' critical analysis skills in evaluating communication campaigns, interpreting audience data from major media outlets, and understanding marketing briefs. Additionally, three exercises are scheduled to enhance students' abilities in identifying components of a copy strategy, engaging in creative brainstorming, and utilizing key media planning metrics.
Furthermore, a project assignment is designed to afford students the opportunity to develop proficiency in crafting a communication strategy and media plan, conducting research, engaging in self-directed study, and applying theoretical concepts in practical group settings. This project entails devising an integrated communication plan centered on a topic of students' choice, drawing inspiration from suggestions provided by the lecturer.