Marketing Essentials Certification
Format
Self-Paced
Duration
Approximately 4 hours
Audience
All agency professionals
Pricing
4As members: $399 per participant
Non-members: $499 per participant
The Four Courses
What You Need to Know About Brands:
This course will explore the pivotal role of brands, examining concepts like brand identity, values, and promises. Participants will gain insights into effective brand architecture and its impact on commercial and cultural spheres by grasping brands' influence on consumer behavior and societal trends. Participants will be prepared to navigate marketing dynamics skillfully.
Consumer Centric Marketing
This course focuses on the transition from brand-centric to consumer-centric marketing, prioritizing understanding consumer needs. We'll investigate consumer segmentation to unearth growth prospects, and explore vivid customer personas for effective targeting. Additionally, we'll examine mapping the consumer journey, tailoring strategies to meet specific needs, and explore three dimensions crucial for effective communication with audiences.
Storytelling and Making Connections
This course delves into the concept of Big Ideas, distinguishing them from conventional advertising campaigns. We'll explore the essential elements of compelling brand storytelling and equip you with a toolkit for fostering meaningful consumer-brand connections that prioritize engagement over mere reach. Additionally, we'll discuss the significance of context planning, emphasizing the importance of delivering messages at the right time and place to effectively engage audiences amidst today's marketing saturation.
Building a Game Plan: Strategy and Tactics
This course emphasizes the connection between client business goals and consumer behavior. We offer a clear distinction between marketing strategies and tactics. Additionally, we'll introduce three primary methods for establishing marketing budgets. Lastly, we explore performance measurement in today's digital landscape, navigating the complexities of data analysis to identify valuable insights and keep strategies on track.

Requirements for Certification
- Complete all self-paced work during each course
- Complete any knowledge check questions and assignments
Meet the Facilitator
Judy Franks

Judy Franks is a Clinical Professor in the IMC degree program at Northwestern University where she teaches media and consumer insight courses in the Integrated Marketing Communications program at the Medill School.
She joined Northwestern’s faculty in 2008 following a 23-year career in Chicago ad agencies–Leo Burnett, Starcom, FCB, Tatham (now Havas), and Energy BBDO where she led media strategy and communications planning for an array of clients across multiple industry sectors.
Judy Franks is the author of the text, “Media: From Chaos to Clarity.” This text (now in its 2nd edition) is widely circulated in both the