The University of Salford Business School course in Search and Social Media Marketing (www.searchmarketing.salford.ac.uk) is aimed at both individuals and businesses keen to boost their chances of getting their websites on the first page of Google’s rankings. Moreover, delegates will develop skills in using websites as a business tool focussing on delivering return on investment.

It’s the first in the UK to earn accreditation from the global leader the US-based SEMPO Institute and is the result of a unique collaboration between leading figures in the Manchester digital marketing industry — including PushOn, Latitude and Mediaedge:cia — and the university.

The 10-week evening course, which has been developed so that it will appeal to both business owners and professionals alike, has been put together following research in the digital sector.

Simon Wharton, Managing Director of award winning Manchester agency PushON, said: “This course is going to bring the knowledge of those in the trenches on a level with those in academia and will give great exposure to anyone wanting to update or develop their Search and Social Marketing skills.”

And Richard Gregory, Chief Operations Officer of Warrington-based Latitude, adds: “Search and Social Marketing is an industry that has experienced exponential growth over the past decade — a course that allows delegates to reflect on the past and prepare for the dynamic future is exactly what is needed.”

Leading to a recognised qualification, the course will also feature plenty of input from industry speakers from the region. It will offer business users a chance to understand the cutting edge techniques required to get their businesses in front of a huge market of potential customers.

It will feature material developed by SEMPO — a global non-profit organization serving the search engine marketing industry. Katie Donovan, Managing Director of the SEMPO Institute, says: “We are delighted that Salford Business School has selected to use our online courses as support material for this class. A relationship with such an innovative university as Salford enables us to further our charter of educating the next generation of search marketing professionals.”

A special open evening for the Search and Social Marketing course takes please on July 29 at 5.30 pm at room 516 in the Maxwell Building at the University of Salford.

To reserve a place please contact Victoria Hartley on 0161 295 3547 or email v.hartley@salford.ac.uk.