Marketing is one of the fastest-growing fields in business.  Businesses of various sizes employ marketing specialists to handle advertising and public relations. Advertising, public relations, sales, marketing research, retailing, and product development are all areas of marketing. Marketing managers work with business executives, sales directors, art directors, and financial managers to promote interest in a business and its products.

SAU’s Marketing Media track gives students a broad knowledge of marketing but also gives them the opportunity to develop skills in areas like graphic design, website development, and social media. These skills would be especially useful to students who are interested in working at advertising agencies as well as those interested in handling all of the marketing responsibilities at smaller firms.

Topics Covered

In the first two years, students take a broad range of classes both in the Rankin College of Business and across campus. Upper-level courses focus on developing expertise in the marketing field.

• Students in the Marketing Media track take Integrated Marketing Communications, Graphic Software Applications, Website Development for Business and Commerce, and Social Media for Business as well as the Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, and Marketing Management courses required of all Marketing majors.
• Elective options include Free Enterprise Studies and Projects, art, information systems, mass communication, marketing, and mass media courses.
• Students are encouraged to obtain internships related to their career plans.
• Students are assigned to advisors who are members of the RCB marketing faculty to help with class scheduling, professional mentoring, and career placement.

Marketing Careers

The Rankin College of Business has a strong record of job placement for graduates in all fields. Marketing majors in any of the marketing tracks can choose from a number of careers, including advertising, public relations, marketing management, sales, and marketing research. The media track gives marketing majors the option of developing foundational skills in graphic design and website development.

Alumni Profiles

• Mia Hyman (BBA 2017, MBA 2017) Hospitality, Marketing and Sales Operations, The Burgandy Hotel
• Macy Frazier (BBA 2015) Public Relations and Development Manager at PrideRock Wildlife Refuge
• Vincent Oliver (BBA 2013, MBA 2014) IT & Communications, Fountain Park Healthcare;
• Kristina Treadway (BBA 2008) Strategic Consultant, CRM Business Enablement Strategy
• Sharon Bishop (BBA 2007) Account Manager at Curtis H. Stout, Inc, Nashville
• Rebecca Grafton Ray (BBA 1995) Business Owner: Khaki’s: A Men’s Store, Sara’s
• Fernando Barbosa (BBA 1992) Senior Vice President of Distribution and Production, Latin America, Walt Disney Company
• Beth Weldon (BBA 1983) Vice President of Marketing, First Financial Bank, Eldorado

Student Engagement

• Client-Based Classroom Projects: In Integrated Marketing Communication and Marketing Research courses, students work with actual businesses to develop advertising and communication campaigns, perform marketing research, and develop marketing plans.
• Student organizations like Phi Beta Lambda, ENACTUS, Emerging Entrepreneurs, the Finance and Economics Society, and the Business Student Investment Advisory Council provide opportunities for fun, leadership, and networking
• Guest lectures and workshops conducted by business professionals and recognized speakers
• Student travel both within and outside the region and the US: Recent trips included tours of financial institutions in New York and Chicago, advertising agencies in Dallas and Chicago, and Arkansas businesses like Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt and international destinations such as Costa Rica.
• The Arkansas Small Business Development and Technology Center is located on the first floor of the business building. The center offers seminars and other resources that are free to students and houses the Entrepreneurship Center.

Faculty Expertise

The Rankin College of Business is AACSB certified. All upper-level professors are required to hold doctorates from AACSB-certified universities or to have significant professional experience in the areas in which they teach.

• SAU’s marketing instructors bring professional experience as well as academic training to the classroom.
• Instructors have work experience in retail, sales, advertising and promotion.

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