Starcom MediaVest Group and KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research has announced a strategic partnership to launch SSIMCAP-360°, said to be a first of its kind full-time advanced programme in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC).
The intensive 10-month programme will lead to a certificate in Advanced Integrated Marketing Communications, which would eventually enable students to be placed in agencies offering marketing communications services. This programme is said to be a long term commitment and aims to foster talent and create a robust talent force for the industry.
Ravi Kiran, CEO, South Asia, Starcom MediaVest Group, explained, “Marketing is changing and the reason is because the consumers and clients themselves are changing. We do need specialists, but not in parts, but as a whole. The aim is to ensure a holistic approach in understanding market challenge and using methods to come up with a solution.”
He further said, “We have been contemplating for a while to offer a world class programme to young graduates to equip them with knowledge of the best practices on industry interface. I believe, this intensive programme in collaboration with KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research will set a benchmark in learning the art and science of Integrated Marketing Communications.”
Prof PV Narasimham, Director-General, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, said, “The world has become a large market place, and it was a long felt need to have an advanced programme in Integrated Marketing Communications. It was a natural progression to partner with SMG in bringing out a comprehensive programme that adds value to future marketers. This will be a one of its kind programme.”
Kiran also highlighted some of the unique offerings of the programme: ‘Active Mentorship’, where every student will be assigned to a senior advertising or marketing professional in the industry, who will act as an off-campus coach for the entire duration of the programme.
‘Learning Clinic’ will offer access to a dedicated space within the state-of-the-art office of Starcom MediaVest Group in Mumbai for research purposes, for gaining experience on industry research and tools as well as get select exposure to SMG’s globally renowned tools and techniques.
‘Brand Shoes’ will allow each student to spend a week as an assistant to a brand manager in a marketing organisation, while ‘Live In’ will enable students to spend a week in a relevant consumer home, somewhere in India, gathering practical insights into various aspects of consumer behaviour, and an ‘Advisory Council’, which consists of 15 people from marketing, broadcasting, publishing houses, academics, etc.
A maximum 60 students will be selected for the first batch through a national admission process that includes a multiple choice online test covering general knowledge, language skills, marketing communications aptitude, a written communications test, group discussion and a personal interview. This will be held on September 5, 2009 on campus. The programme will commence from September 14. Fresh graduates and working professionals interested in a career in Integrated Marketing Communications, who have scored 50 per cent or above can apply.
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