Online Marketing Management Degree Programs

In a free market economy, goods and services go nowhere without successful marketing strategies. The quality of a business's product is immaterial if no one knows about it. That's where marketing comes in. Marketing can include anything from traditional print advertising to community involvement, but the desired end result remains constant: to attract and retain consumers. At the helm of these efforts sits the marketing manager. Marketing managers possess excellent communication skills and often have a knack for creative presentation. They must assess the demand for a company's product and target potential clients; develop effective pricing strategies that maximize profit yet still appeal to customers; monitor product trends, and oversee development. This wide range of responsibility means that marketing managers are typically highly trained in marketing, business, and management techniques.

Marketing Management Career Training

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that keen competition is expected for marketing management jobs, making formal education critical. Marketing managers must have a firm grasp of statistics and math, as well as extensive experience in the marketing field. Students seeking these high-level positions are advised to consult their school placement office about entry-level opportunities. While hiring managers in the field do not necessarily require a college degree in marketing management, this qualification is almost always preferred. Typical college degree programs in marketing management include courses in finance and accounting, pricing and development, and management techniques. Marketing management graduates use these courses to build on their existing communication, planning, and leadership skills. Aspiring marketing managers may attend four-year universities or pursue online business degrees.

Careers in Marketing Management

Career options abound for well-trained marketing managers, who may specialize in fields ranging from computer systems design to scientific or technical consulting, architectural or engineering services, and retail. Marketing managers can expect to work long, irregular hours, which are necessitated by the wide variety of issues they must address. Directors are often asked to handle problems in other departments as well, such as sales, product development, or advertising. Typical assignments for marketing managers include:

• Generating and reports for presentations
• Designing and/or overseeing the production of promotional materials such as flyers and catalogs
• Working with vendors and contractors
• Developing advertising campaigns

For those who are as creatively gifted as they are mathematically competent and relish the challenge of climbing the corporate ladder, marketing management may prove a highly rewarding career choice. The BLS reports that 165,000 workers held marketing management jobs in early 2008, earning median annual salaries of $113,400 (up over $10,000 since 2006). Moreover, marketing directors typically enjoy standard health benefits, paid vacations, stock options, and retirement plans.

• Business
• Marketing & Advertising