Marketing MBA - MBA School Programs in Advertising, Public Relations & Promotions

The competition to attract consumers to an ever-changing marketplace has created a need for people with razor sharp marketing skills. An M.B.A. in marketing is a big boost for those who either want to break into this dynamic part of business or for those who are looking to progress into managerial roles or senior leadership.

Job Outlook for Marketing M.B.A.s

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for marketing, advertising, promotions, and public relations managers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2012. At the same time, the Outlook states that keen competition for jobs in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales management is expected. A marketing M.B.A. can be the determining factor in getting those jobs.

Applying Your Marketing MBA

Graduates with marketing M.B.A. degrees can use their skills across a wide spectrum of industries, such as commercial corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and educational and governmental institutions. About 80 percent of M.B.A. marketing jobs are in the service sector, which also comprises 80 percent of the U.S. gross national product.

There are many areas of marketing, and each requires specific skill sets. Brand marketing, for instance, is usually consumer-focused so that consumer-behavior theory and psychology combined with quantitative research and financial modeling are needed. Marketing high-technology products requires graduates who are conversant in intellectual property issues. With the globalization of business, graduates also must know about the environmental, organizational, and financial issues in various cultures. Familiarity with special marketing research, pricing, channels of distribution, and communication issues is essential. Computer skills, in addition to strong communication skills, are highly sought after. Other areas in marketing can include sales and sales management, customer service, retail management, public relations, business-to-business marketing, and media services.

Making Marketing Your M.B.A. Concentration

After the first year of core M.B.A. classes, such as economy, strategy, and leadership skills, students focusing on marketing learn about developing a consumer audience, how to research a market, and how to determine cost volume and profits. With competition to develop new products and services, M.B.A.'s must know how to manage rapid introductions and phase-outs. In addition, a marketing manager could also be involved in planning, executing, and measuring the implementation of marketing activities such as direct mail, Web sites, e-mail marketing, and branded merchandise for special events.