The document provides an overview and marketing plan for a new Master of Management degree program at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Economics and Business. Key points:
- The program is a 12-month full-time degree developed in consultation with large companies and European business schools, with an emphasis on small class sizes, corporate engagement, and networking.
- The marketing plan's objectives were to raise awareness of the program and generate interest among prospective students, especially Generation Y, through online and social media campaigns.
- The campaigns included search engine optimization, websites, videos, Facebook ads and events, and email marketing.
- The results included the program website ranking #1 on Google searches, nearly 10,000
2. Overview
From the beginning of 2009, the Faculty of Economics and Business was the first in Australia to offer top graduating students
the opportunity to participate in a 12 month, full-time Master of Management program before they enter the workforce.
The new degree was developed in consultation with some of the world’s largest companies and 17 top European business
schools, and has an emphasis on small class sizes, corporate engagement and networking.
The announcement of the new Master of Management was been made possible by the Faculty’s acceptance as a full member
of the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS).
CEMS Master of International Management (MIM) / Master of Management represents a significant opportunity strategically and
financially for the Faculty of Economics and Business. The CEMS MIM is ranked 2nd place in 2006 Financial Times (FT)
ranking of pre-experience Master’s in Management degree programs, with 14 CEMS schools ranked among the top 35
programs.
The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Peter Wolnizer, said: “The Master of Management is the next step in the development of the
Faculty, providing a unique opportunity for a wide range of students to extend their qualifications before entering the workforce.
“It is the only Australian degree that allows students to participate in the prestigious CEMS Master of International Management
program (CEMS MIM), enabling students to study and work overseas. It opens doors for them internationally.”
The Challenge
In order to reach prospective students in a cluttered marketplace and
to reflect the uniqueness of the program, the communications needed
to stand out from other Universities’ offerings.
We needed to grab the attention of the increasingly hard to reach
Generation Y cohort using traditional and new media with a strong
emphasis on online communications.
‘Get what you deserve’ was chosen as a slogan as the phrase is
evocative, ambiguous and appeals to the target demographic while
still conveying our key message, ‘Get the opportunities you deserve’.
Objectives
1. To be on page 1 of Google search results for ‘Master of Management’ by September 2008
2. To receive 5,000 visits to the website by September 2008
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3. To receive 500 inquiries about the Master of Management by the time applications close on 31 October 2008
4. To receive 70 applications
5. To receive 35 enrolments, 5 for the CEMS MIM
6. To raise awareness of the program among current and prospective students
Online Marketing Communications Plan
Websites
http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au
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Unique website designed specifically for the Master of Management launched Friday 23 May 2008.
This website is the main source of information regarding the program and was the hub for all online and print communications
channels.
The website was periodically updated to correspond to the different phases of communication elsewhere. For example, a ‘Come
to the Party’ transparent overlay was placed over the regular content when the Student Launch was advertised and changed to
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‘Were you there’ post Launch with links to the event photos and video .
http://www.econ.usyd.edu.au
Direct links from the Faculty website to the Master of Management site through news items, course
listings and a button on the Faculty home page.
http://www.usyd.edu.au
Direct links from the University website to the Master of Management site through news items, course listings and a message
on MyUni.
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Refer to Master of Management Creative later in this document
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
3. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Content for the website was written to optimise the site for search in
Google while not compromising the delivery of information.
Video
‘Why study the Master of Management’ was created in order to both cater
to our target markets liking for multimedia as well as providing extra
exposure on other channels such as the University’s You Tube Channel.
The ‘Launch Party’ video containing scenes from the Student Launch was
uploaded to the Master of Management website and to Facebook where
students could tag themselves in the video and share it with friends.
Facebook – Social Ads
Social ads were run on Facebook to promote the program to prospective
students in the following countries:
• Australia and New Zealand
• Austria
• Denmark
• Germany
• Norway
• Singapore
• Sweden
• Switzerland
Targeting was broad: to current university students and graduates over the age of 19.
Ads were created for several different purposes; in the first phase, to raise awareness of the program and to direct traffic to the
website; to current female students in Australia regarding a women’s careers event our representatives were attending; to
prospective students in Europe announcing our membership to CEMS. All these ads directed visitors to relevant information on
the website where they could perform certain actions (downloading the brochure, watching the video
and submitting an enquiry or application). At all points we directed visitors back to the Faculty’s
Facebook profile where they could potentially engage with current students and the Faculty.
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
4. The second phase of communication was to announce the Student Launch Party. Visitors were directed to a Facebook event
hosted by the Faculty’s page where they were encouraged to RSVP to the event to receive further communication from us. We
ran this as a ‘teaser’ campaign – revealing small pieces of information about the event as it drew near.
Come join the party!
Make sure you RSVP as attending – guest list entry
only! No maybes! Otherwise you'll miss out on the all
important drink vouchers.
We have in store for you on the night:
Everybody will get a goodie bag… the first 100 through
the door get something extra special. What?! Well, that
would be telling.
The paparazzi will be on hand to snap your pics and do
some vox pop filming. Make sure you’re looking your
best cause these are all going up on our post party
website.
With special guests: SPARKADIA!
Check 'em out here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparkadia/7246604579
AND: Purple Sneakers DJs!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23646500025
The party is to launch our new Master of Management
and Master of Management (CEMS) programs so there
will be a bit of official waffle and then it's party time!
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The final phase of advertising was to announce the Application deadline; these ads were run the week leading up to the 31
October.
Facebook – Social Networking
Several communication channels on Facebook were used to reach current and prospective students as various stages of the
campaign.
For the duration of the launch campaign, the Faculty’s Facebook page was ‘branded’ with ‘Get what you deserve’ by utilising the
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FBML application to customise the look and function of the Faculty page, including adding hyperlinks to the Master of
Marketing website.
Regular ‘notifications’ were sent out to existing fans of the Faculty Facebook Page and to people who had RSVPd to the
Launch. Personal messages were also sent to administrators of relevant student groups and to Faculty Clubs and Societies. To
minimise the risk of imposing on the students, these messages were only sent once and with full disclosure.
A final message was sent to attendees and fans thanking them for attending and directing them to the photos on Facebook.
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FBML – Facebook Markup Language – Similar to HTML enabling greater control over the design of the Page
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
5. Broad Advantage Free Party at USYD Uni Party
Hey Stacey, I hope you don't mind me Hey Mitchell, Hey Donna,
contacting you out of the blue like this.
Hope you don't mind me spamming you I hope you don't mind me spamming you
I work at the Faculty of Economics and about this but I figured, like all uni students, about this but I thought it might be something
Business at the University of Sydney. We'll be you love a good party! of interest to the ChocSoc people (great
attending Broad Advantage in Sydney to talk group BTW!).
a bit about our new Master of Management We'd like to invite you to a bash we're having
program. at Manning Bar at USYD to launch our new I work in the Faculty of Economics and
Master of Management program. Business and we're hosting a party at
I wanted to let you know, I've sent out details Manning to launch our new Masters of
of this event to our students and asked them We've got Sparkadia and the DJs from Purple Management program.
to RSVP to your event page on Facebook, Sneakers for your listening pleasure as well
rather than create one of our own. Hope this as free food and drink. We're putting on a band (to be announced
is OK! shortly) as well as free food and drink.
It's on the 25th September and if you'd like to
I was wondering if it were possible for you to come along, RSVP here to get on the guest If this is something you think your members
send out a message to the 85 Broads list: would be interested in, we'd really appreciate
network? Cool if not, the last thing we want to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210 it if you could send out the following email.
do is be spammy but we thought this might 72539689 (no RSVP, no freebies!)
If not, that's cool and sorry for the spam!
be a program some of your members would If you could pass this on to members of your
be interested in. UNSW group, that would be cool too.If not, xDan
Thanks for your time! sorry for the spam. ------------------------------------------
xxDan xxDan The Faculty of Economics and Business are
Reply: launching a new Masters program and we
------------------------------------------ want you to come to the party!
Here's the message: Hey no worries... i'll see what i can do =)
We’ll be taking over Manning for a bit of a
The University of Sydney’s Faculty of when do we have to rsvp by? bash with the 3 essential ingredients of band,
Economics and Business is proud to be food and drink. We'll be telling you a little
Response: about the Master of Management program
associated with the Broad Advantage event
being held in Sydney and hopes you have a Cheers! (it’s not just for business types) then turning
great time. the rest of the night over to you.
Any time up until the event really... though the
If you are the sort of person that is a member sooner the better because we've got a few To get your self on the guest list (and your
of 85 Broads you might be interested in our other things in the works that we want to tell free drinks vouchers), you'll need to RSVP
new Masters of Management program. It is attendees about. Things like the first 100 to here:
designed to give you a jump start to your arrive get something extra from one of our http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210
career and includes internships and sponsors… though I probably shouldn’t be 72539689
exchange opportunities. For more information mentioning that just yet ;-)
go to http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au/85Broads We'll be announcing the band a little later so
or talk to one or our people at Broad Only people to RSVP will find out about that if you want to find out who it is, head over to
Advantage in Sydney. stuff. our page and fan us... or you can wait to be
Thanks heaps! surprised on the night:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faculty-of-
xDan Economics-and-Business-University-of-
Sydney/29779601139
To find out more about the Master of
Management visit
http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au/fb
Cheers!
Email Marketing
Emails were sent out to current students of the University announcing the new program.
The University of Sydney Union sent an email out to all presidents of University Clubs and Societies asking them to pass the
message on to their members.
Avant Postcards
In order to raise awareness for the Master of Management, postcards were distributed to locations around University campuses
in Sydney. The postcards were deliberately designed with no University of Sydney branding on the front to encourage collection
and reading. The postcard information directed prospective students to a specific landing page to assist in the measurement of
their success.
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
6. Student Launch Party – You’ve been shot!
Photo and video was taken of the attendees at the Student Launch at Manning Bar. Each
person was handed a ‘You’ve been shot’ card directing them to the photos page on the
Master of Management website where they were then directed to the Faculty Facebook Page
to view and tag themselves in the photos.
Additional Communications
Other communications carried out include:
• Public Relations
• Print Advertising
• Posters on Campus
• Advertising on Campus
• Powerpoint presentation to students during lectures
• TV screen in the Student Information Office
Results
1. http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au was ranked Number 1 on Google for ‘Master of Management’ by September 2008 and
continues to maintain the top position
2. The Master of Management website saw 9,580 unique visitors by the end of September 2008
3. There were 498 email enquiries for the Master of Management program, approximately 75 telephone, 50 face to face
at the Student Information Office and 4 conversations with prospective students on the Faculty Facebook Page.
4. 150 applications were received of which 150 were suitable for interview
5. 40 students enrolled in the Master of Management program beginning Semester 1 2009. Of those, 20 were enrolled in
the CEMS MIM
6. Antidotal evidence reports that students felt the marketing of the program was effective, the creative stood out and they
felt the website was ‘made for them’. The youthful focus of the campaign seemed to resonate with many of the
students.
Analysis and Feedback
Website
rd st
http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au top 10 website referral from 23 May to 31 October 2008.
Referrals (1-10) / 255 Sessions Percent
1 www.usyd.edu.au 6,130 22.72%
2 econ.usyd.edu.au 4,682 17.35%
3 (no referral) 3,756 13.92%
4 auth.usyd.edu.au 3,548 13.15%
5 www.facebook.com 3,143 11.65%
6 www.new.facebook.com 1,842 6.83%
7 www.google.com.au 702 2.60%
8 myuni.usyd.edu.au 644 2.39%
9 apps.facebook.com 462 1.71%
10 search.usyd.edu.au 383 1.42%
View Total: 25,292 93.74%
Total: 26,982 100.00%
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
7. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
rd st
Top 10 search terms from 23 May to 31 October 2008.
Search Terms (1-10) / 1,043 Sessions Percent
1 master+of+management 173 8.43%
2 master%20of%20management 111 5.41%
3 management 47 2.29%
4 cems 43 2.10%
5 master+in+management 34 1.66%
6 master+of+management+usyd 33 1.61%
7 university+of+sydney+master+of+management 30 1.46%
8 master+of+management+sydney 29 1.41%
9 usyd+master+of+management 28 1.36%
10 master+management 24 1.17%
View Total: 552 26.90%
Total: 2,052 100.00%
Video
The ‘Why study the Master of Management’ received 737 views on YouTube and 1,888 on the website.
Master of Management Launch video has been viewed 401 times on the Master of Management website. The number of views
on Facebook could not be determined.
Facebook – Social Ads
The Facebook Social Ads had the double advantage of raising awareness of the program and increasing the number of fans on
the Faculty Facebook Page.
Click through rates were initially high but as the campaign went on, they leveled out at between 0.02 and 0.03%, the average for
Facebook.
Results for some of the campaigns are as follows:
http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au/85Broads
nd th
2 July – 9 July 2008
Imp. Clicks CTR (%) Avg. CPC ($) Avg. CPM ($) Spent ($) Time Spent on Bounce Rate
Landing Page
139,076 25 0.02 0.88 0.16 21.90 01:54 44.12%
http://mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au/cemsmim
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27 July – 1 December 2008
Imp. Clicks CTR (%) Avg. CPC ($) Avg. CPM ($) Spent ($) Time Spent on Bounce Rate
Landing Page
473,844 129 0.03 0.33 0.09 42.77 08:14 71.79%
Facebook – Social Networking
On the Student Launch event listing, 318 said they would attend the event, 64 maybes and 103 no with 73 invitees not replying.
There were 5 wall posts for the event. Having so many ‘awaiting reply’ indicates that visitors shared this event with their friends.
Email communication via Facebook lead to 273 visits to the website.
Avant Card
“This card looked great in our displays but the best thing was the excellent response that it received. Notably good response
throughout the Inner West. A fast mover.”
Requested distribution quantity: 7,000. Actual distribution quantity: 13,830
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There were 27 visits to the website via unique URL (http://mmgt.wcon.usyd.edu.au/avant) to October 31 .
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
8. Student Launch Party – You’ve been shot!
There have been 896 visits to the photo page on the Manager of Management website since the Student Launch to date with 20
tags and 1 comment on the Faculty Facebook Page.
Other Communications
Of our other communications that were easiest to measure, we obtained the following web visits to unique URLs:
• Posters on campus: 3
• Advertising on Campus: 21
• Powerpoint presentation to students during lectures: 35
There were no direct visits to the website from the unique URLs used in our print advertising though this method of
measurement is unreliable.
Master of Management Questionnaire
Local Students (16) International Students (17)
How did you find out about the Master of Management How did you find out about the Master of Management
Program? Program?
3
• USYD Website 81% (13) • USYD Website 47% (8)
• Facebook 19% (3) • Word of Mouth 24% (4)
• Student Launch 19% (3) • Recommendation 18% (3)
• MyUni Portal 13% (2) • Google Search18% (3)
• WOM 6% (1) • Facebook 18% (3)
• SMH 6% (1) • MyUni Portal 6% (1)
• SIO 6% (1) • SIO 6% (1)
• Posters on Campus 6% (1) • Posters on Campus 6% (1)
In which Country are you a member with Facebook? In which Country are you a member with Facebook?
• Australia 69% (11) • Norway 18% (3)
• Canada 12% (2)
If you found out about MMGT via Facebook what method? • Colombia 6% (1)
• Facebook Ad 13% (2) • Netherlands 6% (1)
• FB Message 6% (1) • UK 6% (1)
• Italy 6% (1)
Favourite Website? • Australia 6% (1)
• Facebook 35% (4) • USA 6% (1)
• Google 6% (1) • Germany 6% (1)
• Yahoo 6% (1) • China 6% (1)
• Bbc 6% (1) • Hungary 6% (1)
• Kryon.com 6% (1) If you found out about MMGT via Facebook what method?
• RiaNovsti 6% (1)
• Google reader 6% (1) • FB Ad 12% (2)
• Both Ad and Message 6% (1)
Frequently read newspapers?
Favourite Website?
• SMH 75% (12)
• AFR 38% (6) • Google 18% (3)
• The Australian 13% (2) • BBC 18% (3)
• Sunday Telegraph 6% (1) • Google Maps 6% (1)
• Le Monde International 6% (1) • Sydneyspy.com 6% (1)
• Daily Telegraph (UK) 6% (1) • Facebook 6% (1)
• Gulf News (UAE) 6% (1) • Orkut 6% (1)
• Financial Times (Asia) 6% (1) • Cnbc.com 6% (1)
• Lemonde.fr 6% (1)
3
We did not distinguish between USYD, E&B or MMGT sites
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
9. Recommendations
Facebook Page
Continue to build the Faculty Facebook page, find ways to better engage students so they are more receptive to messages. I
would like to see student ambassadors or student bloggers take over the role of communicating with other students on
Facebook. There was no negative feedback from the communication but the interaction would improve if students were not
communicating with University staff. The Faculty Facebook page needs to be continually updated and could be better utilised to
improve student engagement and add value especially when integrated with student blogs and updated regularly with events.
Facebook Social Ads
It’s becoming increasingly important to be more creative with Social Ads and target them more specifically to get the desired
results. The campaign was also more expensive than was necessary.
Email Marketing
It’s clear that a more organised approach to email marketing needs to be adopted; there was some difficulties reaching students
from other Faculties and the process does not appear to be standardised in the Faculty. We could better use email combined
with a Customer Relationship Management system to make better use of email.
Launch Party
Attendance was low though at 1/3 of Facebook RSVPs, about what was expected. Despite using a current band and DJs with
free food and alcohol, the event did not have the number of attendees hoped for. I would suggest if an event was to be staged in
the future to seek student suggestions or involve them in the process of creating the event.
Student Questionnaire
Survey more than just accepted students. Ask them to fill out questionnaire in the interview as these results were with too small
a sample.
Print Advertising
Online played a massive role and while it’s clear that the majority of our local prospective students read the SMH, a very small
relative number actually saw the ad there. I would suggest it’s not worth the cost and good PR combined with online
communications would be a better approach for this demographic.
Author: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 23 March 2009
11. Master of Management Creative
Website
Home page
mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.au
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
12. Launch Party Landing page
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
13. Post Party Splash Page
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
14. Post Party Photo and Video Page
mmgt.econ.usyd.edu.eu/photos
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
15. Photographer Calling Card
Beer Coaster
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
16. Postcard
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
17. Bag
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
18. Advertisement in the Metro
Video
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
19. Posters
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
20. Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
21. T-Shirts
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
22. Facebook
Launch Party Event Listing
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
23. Faculty Page
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
24. Facebok Advertising
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
25. Event Signage
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009
26. Other Artwork
• Banner ad for eBull (flash)
• Yo-Yo
• Drink Bottles
Designer: Danielle Warby
Online Marketing Coordinator
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Sydney
d.warby@econ.usyd.edu.au | 02 9114 1136
Date: 22 January 2009