MDX marketing students meet Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on inspiring educational trip

Students learned how to promote key landmarks and organisations during visit to city

Middlesex University marketing students enjoyed a fascinating week-long residential programme in Manchester which stretched and challenged their branding knowledge and skills.

Seventy post-graduate students on MSc courses in Branding and Marketing Communication, Digital Marketing, and Marketing Management took part in this unique event which the University has been running for more than two decades. The programme has connected students with over 200 organisations, from globally-renowned football brands and UNESCO World Heritage venues to innovative start-ups and community focused charities.

The Manchester residential was launched at the iconic Salford Lads and Girls Club, where students had the privilege of hearing from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and former MP and Health Secretary. In an inspiring address, Mr Burnham spoke about Manchester’s proud history of revolution and social change, urging students to embrace these principles and become forces for progress in their own careers.

The theme of social change was continued by Lizzie Maginess, Head of Marketing and Growth at Manchester Pride, who spoke about social marketing’s role in promoting equality and inclusion, and building communities.

The week included 10 presentations from a wide array of organisations and venues, such as the Fusilier Museum, Bury Black Pudding Company, Emma Fox Tours, Manchester Real Tennis, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jodrell Bank. These diverse engagements helped students see marketing principles applied across industries and contexts as well as explore a range of thought-provoking themes, including:

• Sports Marketing: Tackling the challenge of promoting an elite sport steeped in history, to new and diverse audiences.
• Faith and Branding: A presentation from !Audacious Church sparked discussions about the parallels between marketing faith and marketing passions such as sports.
• Promoting Historic and Cultural Icons: Engaging with organisations such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jodrell Bank and the world-famous Bury Market to explore how to position such attractions to contemporary audiences.

Organisers Sukhbinder Barn, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, and Mark McPherson, Associate Professor in Marketing, emphasised the programme’s positive impact for their students.

"We design this residential to immerse students in real-world challenges, showing them how marketing works on the ground. The aim is to equip them with practical skills and insights that will prepare them to innovate and lead in their future careers."

Sukhbinder Barn, Senior Lecturer in Marketing

While being challenged to promote the small market town of Bury, students were aided by the fact that it has a world famous market which has won numerous awards. During their visit, they met Bury’s dignitaries Mayor Khalid Hussain and Mayoress Carol Bernstein.

Mr Barn said: “The Manchester Residential continues to be a testament to the power of experiential learning in preparing the next generation of marketers to innovate, inspire and make a difference.”

Find out more about studying Marketing at Middlesex University.