AJ de Montjoie - CMktr, MCIM’s Post

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Senior Brand Manager | Marketing & Brand Strategy | Brand Management | Brand Innovation | Visual Facilitation

Over the last few months, I have been taking the Marketing Week Mini MBA with Mark Ritson in Brand Management. It has meant some late nights, long walks listening to podcasts, and a realisation that I know my noodles: I know brand marketing. I cannot recommend this course highly enough if you work in brand management. But maybe I should start with explaining my, 'why'. Why did I do this? I have an education in marketing but it's a little dusty and was academic in it's nature - if I say that I wrote my dissertation on Twitter and the airline industry, when there was no-one really even talking about social media marketing, it will perhaps reflect how much industry has changed! So I wanted to get back to the fundamentals of good brand management. The other reason was, that I doubted myself. I kept wondering why everyone thought that I was now working in colours and logos and not marketing, driving growth, profit, revenue etc. It seemed that I had moved to the, 'fun, fluffy, department.' Whilst I love my job and have fun, I wanted to build brand equity not be known purely for what we do with our brand assets (and believe me I am acutely aware of how important these are!). I thought to myself, 'Wait, I know the how and why of brand campaign marketing. I know about long and short (mass vs target marketing).' Somehow I needed to get that self belief back. Hence to the mMBA. I didn't think online learning could be this good! But it's engaging and insightful. I read more in 4 months than I had in years. But not academic papers that I couldn't hope to use, but in real practical examples brought to life through Prof Ritsons engaging lectures. I found my confidence again, went back to my learning from years ago (and I am someone who prints and reads, old school I know but there we are!), realised I do know brand marketing and I am now armed with the right tools and language to translate what I know into meaningful actions at work. Finally, the course ends with a brand simulation, which I blew up in fantastic style! I am never confident with pricing and I made some terrible mistakes which ensured I dropped the share price of my fictional 'Sonite' brand. But what a way to learn, especially when the competitors in this particular market were vicious (AI plays a rough game!). So what next? I will continue to read and learn and I am tempted to do the Mini MBA in Management. Most importantly however, when I get in the office every day, I know I can fight for a brand that I truly believe in and I know how to build a strategy to make it grow, how many courses do that in 4 months? 😎

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Adrian Hargreaves

Prepare well to achieve more from your presentations with our one-to-one business presentation preparation services for leaders and rising stars.

1w

Some really good takeaways including updating, reskilling, confidence building to name a few. I can't speak for this course but I'm a big believer in practical short term fast paced education over long and overly academic courses.

Jen Gleadow

Agency Director with a passion for improving diverse representation within the marketing sector.

1w

It’s such a brilliant course. I completed it a couple of years ago and have now recommended it to colleagues. For me it was practical, insightful and also excellent at showing me that I did know what I’m doing! I can also recommend the marketing course for all the same reasons 😊

Frances H.

Ex Reuters EMEA Comms | Director | ESG Focused | Sustainability | Pro Communicator | Former CEO | 4x nonprofit NED | Leading from purpose to impact | Responsible AI & media advocate media | mMBA Marketing | Chart. PR

1w

It’s a banger of an offering isn’t it? Can’t wait to recommend it to colleagues and teams down the line!

Leigh Banks

Partner: Spinach Branding Agency | Brand Strategy, Identity Development, Brand Activation. FCIM, WSET2. Co-author of The Life Negroni. Expertise in Wine and Spirits, Luxury, Property, Hospitality and Lifestyle branding.

1w

Very nicely put. I found the course immensely energising. Personally think the course should be renamed RMBA to recognise Mark creating a course that’s so utterly distinct (and excellent).

Mike Buslovich

Helping companies grow loyal customer followings and succeed against competitors. | Marketing Consultant focused on Strategy and Customer Acquisition.

1w

I took the Mini MBA Marketing over a year ago. It has really propelled my capabilities and I really enjoy the course. I would recommend Mark Ritson’s courses to anyone interested in the subject matter.

Iulia Kolesnicov

Employer Brand Manager - Helping companies redefine the way they attract talent / 🎤Speaker / 🌎 Employer brand strategy / Branding / EVP / DE&I/ Marketing Communication / Digital Marketing

1w

Congratulations AJ🎉, I can’t wait to hear more about your learning📚

Sihem Moumene

Senior Manager, Marketing Communication EMEA

1w

Amazing to read!! And with this pen you could only take notes that would be insightful :)

Sara Mariani

Fractional Marketing Director | Brand Communications Leader | Owner & Chief Brand Storyteller @ Clear Aim

1w

Congrats! It's such a great course, isn't it?

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Dean Seddon

Speaker, Author & Entrepreneur. Follow insights on LinkedIn, Social Selling and Personal Branding. CEO @ MAVERRIK

1w

Mastering brand management is more than just colours and logos. It's about driving growth, profit, and building meaningful brand equity.

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Altiam Kabir

AI Educator | Built a 100K+ AI Community for AI Enthusiasts | Want to Learn & Earn with AI ? Join AI PlanetX | 250K+ Followers Across all Platforms

1w

Brand management is an art that requires both knowledge and confidence. Your journey with the Marketing Week Mini MBA is inspiring and a testament to the importance of continuous learning. Kudos to you for investing in yourself and your craft! AJ de Montjoie - CMktr, MCIM

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