A man and a woman in a modern office setting, brainstorming using sticky notes on a glass wall.

Executive Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication

Upskill for the Digital World
duration15 months
languageEnglish
locationMadrid & Online
intakeApril
Mode of StudyPart-time
FormatBlended

THE 360-DEGREE VISION YOU NEED FOR IMPACT

Today’s consumers demand new forms of engagement, open innovation and brand co-creation. Marketing and sales professionals must be equipped with a 360-degree vision of the latest trends, technologies and strategies in order to harness the power of digital platforms, social media and digital strategy in unexpected ways. The Executive Master in Strategic Marketing & Communication focuses on your aspirations, strengths and purpose to help you pursue the next best you and make a real impact in the sector.

Gain the necessary tools to guide businesses through the new challenges posed in today’s dynamic digital world. This program is carefully designed to prepare you to take the next step in your career:

  • Our hands-on approach gives you key insight into the latest tech and trends in marketing and communication. Learn with top professors who are sector-leading professionals in the field.
  • The unique blended format of this program combines online lessons with intensive face-to-face learning periods, allowing you to continue with your professional responsibilities while you upskill and expand your network through the IE Community.
  • Our extensive career resources help you build your ideal career by preparing for professional growth, expanding your leadership skills and leveraging our partnerships with top companies.
  • Exclusive networking opportunities with classmates and peers who come from different international backgrounds and industries, where their extensive experience and knowledge will enhance your learning experience.

*The 2025 – 2026 intake starts on April 1st.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

UNIVERSITY PRIVATE DEGREE

This is a University Private Degree from IE Universidad*, and taught in IE Business School. More Information on what earning a University Private Degree from IE Universidad entails.

*IE Universidad is a University officially recognized by the Spanish education authorities, allowed to grant both University Official Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees), which are specifically regulated and accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education and University Private Degrees (Master), that are specifically designed by the University towards the professional application of their studies and the constant update of higher education, preserving the educational standards of excellence of IE. Both types of degrees are equally backed by the rigor and prestige of IE University.

REASONS TO STUDY THE Executive Master in Strategic Marketing & Communication

IE University molds students into future-forward and well-rounded professionals, using methodologies that put innovation and employability at the forefront.

  • 01.

    A DEEP DIVE INTO COMMUNICATIONS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

    Develop the latest skills and knowledge to overhaul your profile from A to Z, not only in communication and marketing plans, but also in contingency, issue management, brand management, CSR and reputation plans.

  • 02.

    A FLEXIBLE BLENDED PROGRAM TO SUIT YOU

    Our unique blended format allows you to fit your studies around your busy work schedule. With a mixture of remote and in-person study, you’ll have the best of both worlds, including three face-to-face weeks in Madrid, with only the first and last weeks being mandatory.

  • 03.

    LEARN FROM TOP PROFESSIONALS OF THE NEW DIGITAL ECONOMY

    Our faculty is made up of a diverse group of academics and professionals, who bring pedagogical rigor and real-world expertise into the classroom.

  • 04.

    MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

    Gain access to IE University’s unparalleled network of 60,000 professionals worldwide and a careers department focused on helping you build relationships that matter.

    overview

    WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION FOR?

    • IT'S FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO...

      …are future-thinking professionals with a strategic business mindset in the marketing and communications field and have at least three years of work experience. The part-time format offers the flexibility to study without putting your career on hold.

    • ARE LOOKING FOR...

      …a 360-degree vision of communication, management and digital strategies, the program shapes impactful leaders capable of driving business growth through branding, communication, marketing and reputation management. Students may go on to work in roles such as brand manager, crisis communication and reputation manager, communication director, CSR and social impact manager, new media strategist, risk and crisis manager, and more.

    KEY AREAS OF THE EXECUTIVE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

    • CORPORATE BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT

    • STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING

    • COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING PLANS

    • TOOLS AND SKILLS FOR COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING

    EXPLORE THE EXECUTIVE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi dignissim ut nibh eget porttitor. Nunc eleifend mollis arcu. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi dignissim ut nibh eget porttitor. Nunc eleifend mollis arcu.

    Program Structure
    15 Months
    Image undefined

    This 15-month, part-time program is designed to permit professionals to earn their degree online while continuing to work. The program combines online sessions with face-to-face sessions in Madrid spread over the duration of the program.

    The program is divided into three terms that focus on developing a range of key competencies, including Corporate Business and Management, Strategic Communication and Marketing, Communication and Marketing Plans, and Tools and Skills for Communication and Marketing. The skills gained through the program range from branding and corporate identity to digital marketing to measuring intangibles and KPIs. The program culminates in a final project where you’ll devise a solution to a communications dilemma faced by a real-world company.

    *Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.

    Slide 1 of 0

    WHAT'S THE PART-TIME FORMAT LIKE?

    OUR FLEXIBLE PART-TIME PROGRAM INCLUDES

    The forums allow you to participate in the faculty-led asynchronous sessions every week from Monday to Thursday. Professors will moderate these written discussions about chosen topics in order to achieve the learning objectives.

    • Two women are engaging in a conversation at an outdoor café with a laptop on the table.
    • IE Executive MBA students
    • Four professionals sitting outdoors engaged in a discussion with laptops.
    • IE EMBA Students
    Two women are engaging in a conversation at an outdoor café with a laptop on the table.

    ONLINE PERIODS

    Through our virtual campus, you get a challenging and highly interactive educational experience. The well-structured, faculty-led sessions fit into the modern professional’s busy schedule and can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. Engage with other global professionals in synchronous and asynchronous sessions including interactive small groups where you work on real-world, industry-based case studies.

    STUDENT PROFILE

    EXECUTIVE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION PROGRAM STUDENT PROFILE

    Our students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, which is a key factor that enriches the classroom experience.  

    They are reimagining the way marketing, communication and branding coalesce to provide essential value to organizations and are ready to face the challenges of the new digital economy. The ideal candidate for this program has at least three years of work experience, wants to upskill in their career, expand their knowledge in Communication and Marketing and anticipate future developments to stay ahead of the curve–all while continuing to work while studying.  

    While our students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, most of our current students have a background in the following areas:

    • BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

      Young leaders in business, economics and marketing who want to increase their knowledge of Marcom and gain today’s digital advantage in order to lead teams in an innovative way.

    • COMMUNICATION, PR, AND ADVERTISING

      Established professionals in communications, journalism, branding, PR and advertising who want to apply their skills to grow in their positions and lead their teams and organizations with skills like stakeholder management and internal communication.

    • ARTS & HUMANITIES

      Graphic designers, photographers and other artists who want to focus on how Marcom and business are intertwined with a strategic, managerial and analytical approach.

    CLASS PROFILE

    • ACADEMIC BACKGROUND (%)

      Business/Economics
      Communication
      International Relations/Political Science
      Humanities
      Engineering
      Architecture & Design
      Law
      Science
    • REGIONS REPRESENTED (%)

      Europe
      Spain
      LATAM
      MEA
    • GENDER (%)

      Female (%)
      Male (%)
    Play
    DISCOVER THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
    • 83%
      International students
    • 3
      YEARS MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
    • 9
      different languages spoken in class

    THE NEXT BEST YOU 

    Our mission is to help you become the next best you: a leader driven by purpose, equipped with the skills, behaviors and mindset needed to achieve your career goals and overcome the challenges that await. With a focus on teaching you how to pinpoint the multidimensional role of the consumer, the Executive Master in Strategic Marketing & Communication is a journey of transformation that starts within—a journey that helps you upskill and elevate your professional experiences to the next level.

    • YOUR CAREER 

      Now is the moment to build on your current career success and push it to the next level. We’ll work with you to understand your strengths, ambitions and objectives, then create a career development plan tailored to your needs. From learning to balance the competing demands of the present and future to maximizing growth opportunities, our practical teaching and expert coaching will help you grow resilient, responsive and bold in your career choices and get to where—and who—you want to be.

    • A group of people sitting in a circle, gesturing with their hands during a discussion or activity.

      YOUR IMPACT 

      No matter the strength of your skillset or the breadth of your experience, to succeed at the highest levels of business, you need to be able to make things happen. But impact is not a matter of intangibles—it’s about how you think, how you act and how you embrace technology. We’ll equip you with the thinking, behavioral and digital skills you’ll need to thrive in our dynamic digital world.

    • YOUR PURPOSE 

      Business has the potential to address today’s most pressing social issues, but lasting change requires individuals with the passion and skills to lead confidently. We put your sense of purpose at the heart of your career path, helping you become an executive who can drive change that matters. Guiding you to develop a spirit of collaboration for a greater purpose, you will cultivate a global professional network and create new sources of value for your business, now and in the future.

    OUR FACULTY

    Cristina Vicedo Álvarez | IE Business

    MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

    CRISTINA VICEDO ÁLVAREZ - PROFESSOR IN THE FOLLOWING MASTERS: EXECUTIVE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION, MASTER IN DIGITAL MARKETING & ANALYTICS

    • General director of FutureBrand in Madrid
    • President of the AeBrand management board
    • Representative in communication and branding forums and institutions (Woman's Week Foundation, Dircom)
    Hombre circulo Icon

    MEET OUR COMMUNICATION, MARKETING AND SALES PROFESSORS

    STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

    At IE Business School, one of our core goals is to blend expert teaching with practical learning, equipping students for real-world success. Our current students in the Executive Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication program are making remarkable strides in their careers, securing prestigious internships and positions at leading global companies.   

    Learn more about their journeys here:

    Discover related programs to the Executive Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication:

      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      • The Executive Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication lasts 15 months, during which you’ll gain a 360° vision of the marketing and communication sector.

      • We are proud to offer the Executive Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication program in a blended learning format here at IE University. Our dynamic approach to learning integrates the latest technologies to allow you to gain the degree while you continue to work.

      • The online forums are open from Monday to Thursday each week. During these days, you can engage with fellow students and instructors, post questions, participate in discussions, and access shared resources. The forums are designed to enhance learning and provide a platform for continuous academic interaction.

      • The live sessions on Saturdays are scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM Madrid time and will last approximately 3 hours, including breaks. Each session will be around 1 hour and 20 minutes long. Students will have a total of two sessions on Saturdays. There will be one Saturday each month when students are not required to attend live sessions. Instead, they can review recordings and engage with the class content at their own pace.

      • Not all residential periods are mandatory. Only the first week and the last one require your in person attendance. The first period serves as the opening of the program, setting the stage for what you can expect in terms of coursework and community engagement. The last residential week is crucial as it includes the closing activities and the graduation ceremony. There is an optional residential period in the middle of the program that you may choose to attend in person if it fits your schedule and interests or you can opt for the remote option.