MBA MKT 405 -­‐ OL 01 • INTERNET (WEB PAGE) MARKETING Spring 2015 Course Syllabus • January 26th -­‐ May 13th • WISER Course ID#: 2325 Two “LIVE” BbC Lectures • Rotating Mondays to Thursdays • 8:30 p.m. -­‐ 9:30 p.m. (EST) OVERVIEW: This “Syllabus” is a companion to the recently created “Course Navigation Guide” and should be viewed as a highly detailed overview of the course. Please be sure to fully READ this document from START to FINISH. It should be used as a resource when questions arise throughout the term, as most likely, the answer you seek, is here. Failure to carefully follow these documents and the detailed instructions found via the “Assignments” page in Blackboard may lead to frustration and ultimately result in your receiving a poor grade or failure. NOTE: Past peers have found these materials “too” detailed. Agreed! However, as this is a distance course, all student questions must be anticipated. With 5+ years of on-line teaching experience, assumptions of understanding cannot be made. Due to this, yes, they are comprehensive, yet hopefully, spot-on, without being overwhelming. If you propose a more efficient way of conveying the content, I will welcome and readily incorporate suggestions. REQUIRED COURSE TEXT: Roberts, Mary-Lou and Debra Zahay. Internet Marketing: Integrating Online and Offline Strategies, 3/e, ©2013, Cengage Learning. Print: ISBN-10 1133625908, ISBN-13 9781133625902. Print direct purchase: http://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=0&Ntk=P_Isbn13&Ntt=9781133625902. eText: ISBN-10 1133828574, ISBN-13 9781133828570. Digital direct purchase: http://www.coursesmart.com/9781133625902 COURSE LINKS: Blackboard: College of Mgt: University College: MKT 405 OL: Textbook Resources: Google+ Resources: Course Twitter: Course LinkedIn: Course YouTube: https://umb.umassonline.net/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp http://www.management.umb.edu http://uc.umb.edu/ http://www.umb.edu/academics/course_catalog/course_info/ugrd_MKT_2015%20Spring_405 http://marylouroberts.info/home/internetmarketing.html https://plus.google.com/u/0/111014164548896521741/posts @eNetworkMkt or http://twitter.com/eNetworkMkt and @MktKitchenTV http://www.LinkedIn.com: eNetworkMkt or http://www.eNetworkMkt.com http://www.MarketingKitchenTV.com or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzo9GGAIDLMEHW5YQaQa1Ig INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Ronald C. Vining: Social Media: Contact Info: Office Location: Office Hours: Adjunct Professor; M.A., B.S. Suffolk University, Boston, MA LinkedIn: http://www.RonVining.com, Twitter: @RonaldVining E-mail: Ronald.Vining@umb.edu; UMB CM Department Phone: 617-287-7850 Somewhere in Cyberspace via Blackboard, Blackboard Colalborate, Second Life & Twitter Blackboard Chat, Blackboard Collaborate (BbC) - Date/Time by appointment CONTACTING YOUR PROFESSOR: As this is an on-line course via Blackboard, the primary way for students to reach me is via the Messages and Q&A Thread (blog-like preferred method of contact) features within Blackboard. Should one use the email address posted above, please include your course section, your name, semester and subject (for example: MKT 405 | SP2015 | J. Smith | Subject) in the subject line, otherwise your message will most likely be filtered out and deleted as junk mail. WARNING: I do not check my UMB email regularly, so Blackboard is the fastest way to reach me as I am in it every day. If one needs to contact the College of Management they may do so by the phone number listed above. During the course, I may post dates/time for on-line office hours, while lectures in Blackboard Collaborate (BbC) are already scheduled. When necessary, we can set up one-on-one conferences via Blackboard Chat, Second Life, FaceTime, Hangouts, Gmail, MSN, Skype or Yahoo IM if needed. NOTE: In ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved BlackBoard, please be sure to use clear subject lines in all Messages (Blackboard email), Q & A Thread (preferred contact) and all Weekly Discussions posts. COURSE OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION: http://www.umb.edu/academics/course_catalog/course_info/ugrd_MKT_2015%20Spring_405 Marketing is a pervasive element in contemporary life. In one form or another, it reaches every person. The Marketing concept (market orientation) should be the driving philosophy of today's business organizations. The fundamental objectives of most businesses are survival, profit, and growth. Marketing contributes directly to achieving these three objectives. Besides being an integral part of the business philosophy, marketing includes the following important activities, which are vital to business organizations: discovering and assessing the needs and wants of present and potential customers, designing, manufacturing and managing product/service offerings, determining prices and pricing policies, developing effective communication and distribution strategies, and evaluating customers' post-purchase satisfaction. Therefore, all business people, regardless of specialization or area of responsibility, need to be familiar with the terminology and fundamentals of marketing. Because today's marketplace is increasingly globalized, diverse and information-oriented, marketing must also be viewed in the context of ethical and global issues, the influence on organizations due to political, social, environmental and technological issues, and the impact on organizations as a result of demographic diversity. The contemporary environment requires more demonstrated cost effectiveness from every department and every marketing program, more than ever before. Meanwhile the customer continually demands quality, value, service, and quick delivery. The primary way to resolve these potentially conflicting mandates is through information-driven, relationship marketing programs. This course examines the development of the customer database as the key element in marketing programs of this kind. It considers strategic implications in both business and consumer markets, for both products and services. It pays special attention to the role of interactive media, including the Internet, rise of social networking and proliferation of Apps (mobile applications) found on smart phones and tablets. Although the development of the Internet as a medium of communications and a transactional channel is still in a developmental stage, some important realities have become clear. Among the important ones are: • • • • • The Internet connected customer, employee, vendor has become an established aspect of life for consumer, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and around the globe; The Web affects many aspects of conventional economic (and marketing) wisdom; The Mobile Web provides marketers with several important capabilities not present in most other media, namely search, information, interactivity, measurability, immediacy, and global reach; Marketing programs and business enterprises that integrate marketing strategies and media plans in the physical and virtual worlds have a greater chance of success; Above all, the Internet has not abolished, nor will it ever replace the need for thorough business planning and meticulous execution. This course and its recently updated text will present a strategic perspective on these issues and more. In particular, Internet Marketing 3/e has added emphasis on current developments in the Internet marketing space including, but not limited to, Web 3.0 issues. In addition to the revised text, an even greater examination of the field will be covered through ongoing peer research & online (re)sources you will uncover for each assignment, that will make the course as cutting-edge as possible. The intent is for the course to be as interactive as the medium on which we focus. Reading assigned material is essential. The expectation is that every student will be fully prepared to discuss the assigned material. The success of the course itself, as well as the depth of understanding you take away from it, is dependent on your self-preparation for and participation in all “Weekly Discussions” reading assignments and BbC sessions. The course aims to develop a reasonable level of technical sophistication in terms of what information technology can and cannot accomplish, but it does not involve hands-on programming. This is a marketing strategy course first and foremost. While it does not involve hands-on applications of the technology itself, it does assume a user-based understanding of the Web and associated information technology and the ability to use the Internet and library research of databases for research purposes. Students will be required to “get their ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved hands dirty” in terms of working within the Internet space by participating in on-line activities, performing handson research via member community sites such as Blogger, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, SecondLife, Tumblr, Twitter and Word Press, among others, along with networking Apps such as LINE, SnapChat, WeChat, WhatsApp and whatever is the latest craze. It also assumes command of the material from at least one marketing course. NOTE: Due to the recent emergence of social media, netbooks, smartphones and tablets, our assignments this semester will have a strong focus on mobile applications and the manufacturers of mobile devices. Weekly Discussions should be centered on four primary areas: 1) Widespread use of mobile devices (ie: Smartphone, Tablet, Wearables), 2) Impact of Mobile Apps, 3) Role of Social Media (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter) and 4) Search and the race to master Big Data to engage consumers. The goal is to ideate around what the next hot device, killer App or popular SNS will be and how it will impact marketing and how marketing can impact it. While we can approach this from a superficial level, I would prefer going deeper, uncovering the specific aspects, features, properties, characteristics, services, colors, name, logo, price point that make a device, App, SNS, Search a success. The overall purpose will be to better understand the mobile marketplace, firms in the space, their products and their connected consumers from an Internet marketing management perspective. COURSE CONTENT & SKILLS OBJECTIVES: To develop a working knowledge of Internet marketing concepts; To understand the role of Internet marketing in the economy and the integration of Internet marketing with the other functional areas of marketing and management; To investigate in detail the online marketing environment and marketing management decisions associated with actual products and services marketed online in the context of an increasingly globalized, diverse and information-oriented marketplace and business world; and To develop analytic and communication skills related to Internet marketing concepts. The premise underlying our text and thus the course, is that Internet marketing is just one of the many tools and techniques that marketers use to reach their target audience. As part of the overall marketing toolkit, it is essential that Internet marketing be integrated into the overall set of marketing activities (students should re-familiarize themselves with marketing concepts as well as cross functional areas such as advertising, branding, public relations and sales). Throughout the semester, concepts will be advanced and developed which will show Internet marketing within the context of the overall, Integrated Marketing / Communications process through Live Lecture Participation: Blackboard Collaborate (BbC), YouTube MarketingKitchen TV Channel, LinkedIn eNetworkMkt Group and Twitter @eNetworkMkt & @MktKitchenTV Feeds, Weekly Discussion Questions & Exercises and eMarketing Plan (except during Summer sessions AND this Spring, where it is offered as a trial Bonus project). The coursework is designed to provide you with knowledge of the subject matter, develop skills to foster competency in the topic area and to enhance your behavior by creating understanding so that the learner may proactively vs. reactively act when faced with the subject in the workplace. Internet Marketing Course Objectives: 1. To explore the strategic and operational aspects of information-based marketing programs on the Internet: a. For a variety of products and services b. In consumer, business, and not-for-profit markets c. In countries around the globe d. Using integrated marketing strategies that include the Web as either an informational or a e. Transactional medium or both. 2. To understand the nature of the marketing & technological infrastructure required to support Internet marketing activities such as Analytics, Search, Mobile Engagement, SEO, SEM, CRM and Apps. 3. To examine social & regulatory issues that impact the industry globally including, but not limited to, the issue of consumer data security and privacy. 4. To allow each student to prepare a research paper on the Internet Marketing strategy of an enterprise 5. To challenge students to prepare a comprehensive marketing plan for an Internet enterprise of their choice. Program Learning Objectives (http://www.management.umb.edu/master/mba_curriculum.php): 1. Master business communication skills ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved 2. 3. 4. 5 6. 7. Master relationship building skills Integrate business disciplines to generate innovative solutions Apply critical thinking and analytical competence to complex business problems Incorporate diversity as well as regional and global awareness into business analysis Exercise teamwork and leadership skills Define and defend your own ethical compass ASSESSMENTS* (Participation, Readings, Discussions, Exercises, Assignments): Live Lecture Participation (Interactive YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter & BbC participation) 400 points Weekly Discussions & Exercises (Weekly Reading Initial posts & peer Feedback posts) 600 points *NOTE: Assessments can be found via the Coursework tab within Blackboard Total: 1000 points GRADING POLICY: FINAL GRADING SCALE: Grades assigned according to outlined UMB College Catalog policy. Final score is out of 1000 possible points. 100-95 90-94 87-89 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 “A” range = 1000-900 points “B” range = 900-800 points “C” range = 800-700 points “D” range = 700-600 points “F” range = Sub-600 points A AB+ B BC+ C NOTE: All grades below a 760 will be issued as “F” or failing. No grade lower than that of “C” may be issued for a graduate student. No “I” or Incomplete grades will be issued for students who fail to turn in work by semester’s end without proper medical documentation and prior permission, from me. All Initial & Feedback posts not completed by the due date will receive a zero point rating. All other work not completed prior to the last day of class will be counted as a zero and result in a failing grade. DEADLINES, DUE DATES, FORMAT & QUALITY OF WORK: It is expected that assignments will be completed and turned in within the time frame given. Late work is completely unacceptable unless there is a valid reason as to why it could not be turned in on time. One should assume that all late work will not be accepted and will result in zero points for that particular assignment, exercise, discussion, post, paper or examination unless you have consulted with me about the reason it was late and I approve an extension. NOTE: All “Initial” Role Weekly Discussion must be posted when due; there are no exemptions or exceptions to this. Initial posts are due by Mondays or Wednesdays based on the semester. All work must be diligently prepared and carefully proofed. One should judiciously address both the content and format of each assignment, as they will be graded equally on their critical analysis and understanding of marketing as they will be on their proper mechanics, ie: grammar, punctuation, spelling and utilization, citation & attachment of sources. Please see the specific formatting requirements of all assignments, ie: Weekly Discussions & Exercises must be Posted with attached PDF sources, Final Papers must be DOC format, while Bonus Projects must be PPT. Zipped files must but in Mac/Windows compatible formats, no RAR please. Formal academic writing (elevation of language, appropriate use of marketing terminology and proper source citation) is expected. When outside sources are used, they must be cited throughout the post or paper where necessary and a complete bibliography must be included at the end as specified in the CM Writing Guide and Using Quotations documents found on the College’s Web site. With the exception of the section on Passive vs. Active Voice (which I do not concur with), please adhere to these guides when producing your ‘written’ work: • http://www.management.umb.edu/mba/mba_style.php, • http://www.management.umb.edu/undergrad/undergrad_writing.php • http://www.mgmt.umb.edu/academicres.html • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01 APA • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01 MLA ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved When quantifying sources, consider internal sources vs. external ones. If one were to use an annual report of a company as well as information found on that same organization’s Website, though listed separately in a bibliography, they are considered as one source, though not exactly a valid “outside” source. Keep in mind that Wikipedia is never a valid source either. Be weary of fan sites, self-serving corporate “spin” and wikis. While they are great starting points and launching pads for new ideas and further avenues to explore additional sources, they should not be a true source in their own right. Seek out sources, which offer both data and unbiased analysis on the subject to aid you in your own strategic analysis. Consult annual reports, business publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Harvard Business School, industry specific publications, case studies, course text, etcetera. RESEARCH SITES: It is recommended that students go straight to the source and refer to our textbook author’s resource pages: http://www.marylouroberts.info/home/internetmarketing.html & http://www.lib.umb.edu/databases/index.cfm. Library Resources for Management Students: The library has very useful management databases, including Business Source Premier and Lexus/Nexus available to students. These resources, specifically targeted toward Management, will allow you to obtain greater information and more accessible information than simply performing a Google search. These resources should be available over the Internet, on or off-campus (with your UMB ID) 24 hours a day. View URL: http://www.lib.umb.edu/databases/db_browse_subject.cfm. Additionally, please view the on-line resources posted in our course Blackboard site for a recommended list of periodicals and Web sites of interest that may be referenced during the course of the semester and should be utilized for use in assignments. Resources will also be linked through URL: http://twitter.com/eNetworkMkt. Remember, a research paper without properly researched and properly cited sources is simply no better than a casual conversation on the subject matter. All Weekly Discussion Posts, Exercises and Final Papers should incorporate your own ideas, combined with textbook theory and valid outside sources. ACADEMIC HONESTY & STANDARDS: Academic honesty as it relates to cheating, plagiarism and the documentation of work, is an integral part of education, see: http://www.umb.edu/administration/student_affairs/dean/judicial/csc.html. All work that students turn in must be their own. All ideas taken from the work of others must be properly cited. Any assignment that does not conform to these standards will automatically receive an F. Students turning in such work may also fail the course and have the incident attached to their student record or be expelled from the University. The University’s policy can also be found in the Student Handbook/Course Catalogue. The University uses software to verify the originality of student work. The ramifications of “lifting” someone else’s work are simply not worth it. DISABILITIES: If you have a disability and feel you will need accommodations in order to complete course requirements, please contact the Ross Center for Disability Services (M-1-401) at (617) 287-7430. For more information see: http://www.rosscenter.umb.edu/. This should not be an issue as students are not put on the spot (timed test or live presentation) to produce material, rather you are given approximately 1 week (or more) to respond to threaded questions and exercises at your own pace. ACADEMIC CALENDAR: SPRING SEMESTER 2015 http://www.umb.edu/academics/provost/master_academic_calendar#Jan15 LEGEND - TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE: The following page contains your tentative weekly schedule. This color-coded schedule, used in conjunction with the “Weekly Discussions” & “Assignments” pages within Blackboard should aid you in keeping up-to-date on live lectures, what should be read and when all work, ie: discussion posts, exercises, bonus projects, is due. Black = Chapter / Topic Orange = All Work Due (absolute last date that I will accept bonus or pre-approved late make-up assignments) Red = Due date (absolute latest date one may submit their everyone, initial and feedback post or other work) Dark Red = eMarketing Plan (graded individually or as group, due on the last day of classes by all students) LEGEND continued: ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved Green = Interactive course YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter & “Live” BbC Lectures (graded, Live Lecture score) Dark Blue = Threaded Initial / Feedback Reading Discussion Questions (graded as part of Discussions score) Bright Blue = Threaded Everyone Exercises (individually graded as part of Weekly Discussions score) Dark Purple = Optional Bonus “Marketing Consultant” projects offered, due various dates for additional credit) Typically, all “Initial” posts are due by Wednesday and all “Feedback’ posts are due by Friday. An exception to this is an “Everyone” week when all responses are due by Friday or in Summer Sessions when work is doubledup, requiring “Initial” posts due by Mondays and by Wednesdays with “Feedback” posts due by Wednesdays and by Fridays. NOTE: Unless otherwise stated on the Syllabus or in Blackboard, all students whose last name begins with A-H will provide “Initial” posts on EVEN weeks (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) and “Feedback” posts on ODD weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15). Students whose last name begins with I-Z will provide “Initial” posts on ODD weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) and “Feedback” posts on EVEN weeks (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16). TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE: MKT 405, INTERNET MARKETING – (Revised 02/02/15) MONTH/WEEK January Week One Week of Jan 25th February Week Two Week of Feb 1st LECTURE / READING TOPIC & ASSIGNMENT Get Acquainted with Syllabus, Blackboard, Twitter and BbC Read: Syllabus & Course Reference Guide, Navigate: Blackboard, Week 1 Discussion Set-up: BbC & Create: Twitter profile…Tweet! [Everyone A-Z] Introduction, Internet Marketing as Part of the Marketing Communications Mix Discussion Thread: Assessing Strategic Drivers Exercise, P.25 [Everyone A-Z] CHAPTERS DUE BY DATE* Prefix Xii 1/30 Everyone Chapter 1 2/06 Everyone Live BbC 1 Lecture via BbC: Monday, 2/02/15, 8:30 pm [Required] Week Three Week of 8th The Internet Value Chain Discussion Thread: 12 Questions, Page 57 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 2 2/11 Initial 2/13 Feedback Twitter “Initial Tweet” Due via @eNetworkMkt Twitter & “User Name” Due via the “Assignments” page: Monday, 2/11/15 [Required] LinkedIn “Initial Post” Due via eNetworkMkt LinkedIn & “User Name” Due via the “Assignments” page: Monday, 2/13/15 [Required] Week Four Week of 15th Business Models and Strategies Discussion Thread: 10 Questions, Page 78 [A-H, initial, I-Z feedback] Chapter 3 2/18 Initial 2/20 Feedback Bonus Project 1 Due via “Assignments” page 2/21/15 [Optional, Anyone] YouTube post “Initial Comment” & MarketingKitchen TV Channel Subscription and @MktKitchenTV Twitter follow Due Week Five Week of 22nd The Direct Response and Database Foundations of Internet Marketing Discussion Thread: 11 Questions, Page 111 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 4 2/25 Initial 2/27 Feedback March Week Six Week of Mar 1st Online Branding and Video Marketing Discussion Thread: 12 Questions. Page 144 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 5 3/04 Initial 3/06 Feedback Bonus Project 2 Due via “Assignments” page 3/07/15 [Optional, Anyone] Week Seven Week of 8th Display Advertising and other Customer Acquisition Techniques Discussion Thread: 14 Questions, Page 170 [A-H, initial, I-Z feedback] Chapter 6 3/11 Initial 3/13 Feedback Live BbC 2 Lecture via BbC: Tuesday, 3/10/15, 8:30 pm [Required] ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved Week Eight Week of 15th Email Marketing to Build Relationships, Search Marketing: SEO and PPC Discussion Thread: Search Marketing Exercise, Page 200 [Everyone A-Z] Chapter 7, 8 3/20 Everyone Week Off Week of 22nd Spring Break Holiday Discussion Thread: Take a much deserved pause from coursework Week Nine Week of 29th Social Media Marketing Discussion Thread: 11 Questions, Page 249 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapters 9 4/01 Initial 4/03 Feedback April Week Ten Week of 5th Lead Generation and Conversion in B2B Markets Discussion Thread: 12 Questions, Page 283 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 10 4/08 Initial 4/10 Feedback Vacation Everyone Bonus Project 3 Due via “Assignments” page 4/11/15 [Optional, Anyone] Week Eleven Week of 12th CRM Development and Maintaining Effective Websites Discussion Thread: CRM Strategy Exercise, Page 292 [Everyone A-Z] Chapter 11, 12 4/17 Everyone Week Twelve Week of 19th Customer Service and Support in Web Space Discussion Thread: 14 Questions, Page 370 [A-H, initial, I-Z feedback] Chapter 13 4/22 Initial 4/24 Feedback Live BbC 3 [Make-Up 1] Lecture: Wednesday, 4/22/15, 8:30 pm [ONLY If Needed] Week Thirteen Week of 26th Measuring & Evaluating Web Mkt Programs Discussion Thread: Customer Experience Audit Exercise [Everyone A-Z] Chapter 14 5/01 Everyone If it were the Fall semester, this would be HAPPY THANKSGIVING week! May Week Fourteen Week of May 3rd Social & Regulatory Issues: Privacy, Security & IP Discussion Thread: 14 Questions, Page 435 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 15 5/06 Initial 5/08 Feedback Live BbC 4 [Make-Up 2] Lecture: Thursday, 5/07/15, 8:30 pm [ONLY If Needed] Bonus Project 4 Due via “Assignments” page 5/09/15 [Optional, Anyone] Week Fifteen Week of 10th Last Week of Classes: Mobile Mkt and Related Developments Discussion Thread: 14 Questions, Page 465 [I-Z, initial, A-H feedback] Chapter 16 5/11 Initial 5/13 Feedback NOTE: Initial is DUE by Monday & Feedback by Wednesday this week Twitter “Final Tweet” Due via Twitter & “User Name” Due via the “Assignments” page: Wednesday, 5/11/15 [Required] LinkedIn “Final Post” Due via LinkedIn & “User Name” Due via the “Assignments” page: Wednesday, 5/13/15 [Required] Bonus Project 5 Due via “Assignments” page 5/14/15 [Optional, Anyone] Week Sixteen Week of 17th Final Exam Week: Course Feedback & You Final Thread Assessment: Overall Thoughts & Feedback [Everyone A-Z] Final Thread 5/18 Everyone REMINDER: Please complete the on-line course evaluation “Social B2B Retail” Bonus Project 6 Due via Assignments page 5/18/15 [Optional, Anyone] - if done right, worth up to 100 points! Enjoy the Summer break! Please consult the Assignments, Calendar & Discussion pages in Blackboard for specific due dates *All initial Discussion Thread posts should be made at the start of the week, “Due Date” is the absolute latest date one should submit by ©2015 www.RonVining.com, All Rights Reserved