MiniMBA in Brand Management with Mark Ritson

COURSE OVERVIEW

Brand management is a discipline. This is where you master it.

Most brand managers learn on the job. They pick up frameworks from wherever they can, fill the gaps with instinct, and hope it holds together. The MiniMBA in Brand Management replaces that with something better - a complete, evidence-based approach to brand strategy, from positioning and brand codes through to budgeting and tracking.

Led by Mark Ritson across 10 on-demand modules, with a brand simulation that puts everything into practice in a competitive, real-world environment. This is the training that serious brand managers reference years later.

You’ll also be invited to MiniMBA Alumni Network once you’ve completed the course, which includes continued access to all of the course videos, readings and resources. Plus, monthly Q&As with Mark, Alumni-led case studies on getting the most out of your learnings, and a global community of passionate marketers supporting and sharing your ongoing journey.

COURSE
FEATURES

What separates a brand manager from a great one.

10 on-demand modules covering core brand management

Q&A sessions with Mark Ritson

Access to MiniMBA Alumni Network

MiniMBA certificate and 36 CPD credits

COURSE
MODULES

Ten modules. The complete brand journey, from diagnosis to execution.

The complete brand management framework, the same rigour you'd get in a top business school MBA, structured for working brand professionals who don't have two years to spare.

MODULE 1

THE WHAT & WHY OF BRAND

The concept of brand / brand equity / brand salience

Module length: 1 hr 8 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

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MODULE 2

BRAND MANAGEMENT

Brand management / brand planning / brand building

Module length: 1 hr 31 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

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MODULE 3

BRAND DIAGNOSIS

Brand heritage / founders / brand research

Module length: 1 hr 46 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

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MODULE 4

TARGETING

Target marketing / mass marketing / two-speed planning / the long and the short

Module length: 58 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

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MODULE 5

BRAND POSITIONING

Relative differentiation / positioning statements / articulation

Module length: 1 hr 25 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

PREVIEW MODULE

MODULE 6

BRAND CODES

Distinctiveness / salience / codifying / brand execution

Module length: 1 hr 30 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

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MODULE 7

BRAND OBJECTIVES

Funnel building / strategic goals / brand strategy

Module length: 1 hr 19 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

PREVIEW MODULE

MODULE 8

BRAND ARCHITECTURE

Brand portfolios / consolidation / diversification

Module length: 1 hr 34 mins

Readings: 6

Study time: 2 hrs

PREVIEW MODULE

MODULE 9

TACTICAL EXECUTION

From strategy to execution / disruptive consistency / codification / exemplars

Module length: 1 hr 43 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

PREVIEW MODULE

MODULE 10

BUDGETING & BRAND TRACKING

Setting the branding budget / zero-based budgets / brand health

Module length: 1 hr 40 mins

Readings: 4

Study time: 2 hrs

PREVIEW MODULE

BRAND MANAGEMENT

DOWNLOAD THE CALENDAR

Check out the detailed schedule of the upcoming course

"I genuinely challenge you to find a more credible, engaging and rewarding brand management course available anywhere."

Global Brand ManagerToyota

"It equips you with the strategic tools necessary to strike the balance between the art and the science of building brands to deliver tangible and sustainable business results year after year."

SVPSephora

"Top performers all need to undertake lifelong learning and this course represents world class education for anyone in a commercial role."

Director Strategic PartnershipsHilton

"The best training you would ever get in brand management. No bullshit, real case studies and the confidence to be an excellent brand manager."

Senior Campaigns ManagerRail Delivery Group

Who is the course for

For anyone who's responsible for a brand and wants to do it properly.

Brand managers & owners

Stop building brand strategy on instinct. Here's the framework that replaces it.

Senior marketers

Step into brand with the rigour that most brand managers spent years trying to acquire.

Business leaders

Understand what your brand managers should be doing, and how to hold them to it.

YOUR PROFESSOR

Mark Ritson, a leading figure in the world of marketing

With a BSc and PhD in marketing, Mark has spent the past 25 years teaching his unique method to MBA students at some of the world’s top business schools, including award-winning courses at London Business School, MIT and Melbourne Business School.

Not only has he taught on these prestigious programmes but his teaching has been widely acclaimed with Mark winning the teaching prize at each of these institutions.

He has worked globally as a private marketing consultant for clients such as Subaru, De Beers, Ericsson, Sephora, News Corp, Hennessy and Baxter

MORE ABOUT MARK

Mark Rounded (1)

Explore our frequently asked questions for anything we might have missed.

When does the course start?

The course runs twice a year, in April and in September.

The next intake starts on 13 April 2026.

How long is the course?

MiniMBA in Brand Management course runs for 10 weeks. You will then have 2 weeks to work in the simulation.

The September cohort will have access to the learning platform until the 31 July 2026.

How many CPD credits do I get?

MiniMBA in Brand Management course is accredited by the Continuous Professional Development Standards Office and you get 40 credits for completing the course.

How intensive is the course?

MiniMBA in Brand Management is delivered entirely online and all course materials are available on-demand as the modules are released. The course is designed for people with busy schedules who want to dive in and out of their studies at whatever time suits them.

Estimated time per week:

Most students take around 3-5 hours per week to complete the course.

How does the final exam work?

You’ll be put in charge of managing your very own brand ‘Moon’. First you will need to build a two speed brand plan, week by week, by applying the lessons from the course in a applied and engaging way. Then you execute your brand plan over five years in a competitive, simulated market. You have two weeks to run your brand through the simulation and discover your final performance.

Your brand plan and the simulation outcome are evaluated based on the final share price of the brand you managed.

How much is the course and how do I book?

To find out pricing for individuals or groups of 4 or less, visit the booking page.

For larger groups or bespoke bookings please email our training advisors at training@minimba.com

How does the Q&A work?

Students can submit questions at any stage during their study about the latest class and readings. Mark then answers all of these questions during the Q&A session which can also be accessed on demand or as a podcast immediately after it concludes.

How will I access the course?

You’ll need to be registered to the site to access our elearning platform. If you haven’t done so already, you can register here.

Once the course begins, you’ll be able to login on the main MiniMBA page.

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