MARCO, the consultancy specialising in brand building and reputation management, and CEU San Pablo University are launching the second edition of their Master’s in Communication Management and Strategic Branding, an educational initiative that strengthens collaboration between the academic and professional worlds to prepare future leaders in corporate communication.
The programme begins a new academic year with 23 students, joined this year by one student on a scholarship from the Kenz Foundation, bringing the total to 24 students who will receive specialised training in strategy, creativity, technology and reputation management.
This new intake retains the innovative and eminently practical nature that has defined the Master’s programme since its inception, combining academic knowledge with the direct experience of professionals who work daily on managing communications for large companies and institutions.
A practical programme focused on the current challenges in communication
The Master’s programme will run from October 2026 to June 2027 at the Faculty of Law of CEU San Pablo University; it will last nine months and be delivered face-to-face.
The programme employs a methodology centred on experiential learning, featuring interactive workshops, lectures, analysis of current campaigns and the resolution of real-life case studies, enabling students to apply the knowledge they have acquired to specific professional situations.
Key areas of study include artificial intelligence applied to communication, storytelling, strategic creativity, crisis management and corporate reputation, media relations, sustainability, and global and multi-channel strategies.
Furthermore, the Master’s programme remains committed to helping students balance their academic studies with their professional commitments, with classes held on Fridays from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm and on Saturdays from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
More than 30 lecturers and practising professionals from the sector
One of the key distinguishing features of the Master’s programme is its teaching staff, comprising more than 30 university lecturers and communications professionals from private companies and public institutions, as well as specialist consultants from MARCO.
This combination enables us to offer students a comprehensive overview of the sector, linking academic knowledge with the experience of those who design and implement communication, branding and reputation strategies within national and international organisations.
Through practical sessions, masterclasses and the analysis of real-world professional experiences, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the current challenges facing corporate communication, ranging from brand building and positioning to reputation management in digital and global environments.
The programme also remains committed to employability, with guaranteed work placements for all students at MARCO, providing direct insight into the workings of an international communications consultancy.
A partnership between a university and a business to train the future leaders of the communications sector
The launch of this second edition marks a new step in the collaboration between MARCO and CEU San Pablo University, which share the aim of offering specialised training that is closely aligned with the real needs of an industry undergoing constant transformation.
“The launch of this second edition confirms our commitment to a training model that brings the reality of corporate communications into the classroom. We want students not only to be aware of the latest trends in the sector, but also to learn how to apply them through real-life case studies, guided by practising professionals. Artificial intelligence, creativity, crisis management and global communication strategies are part of the day-to-day reality of our profession, and are essential skills for future communications directors,” says Carlos García Martín, Head of Stakeholder Relations at MARCO.
For his part, Javier Rodríguez Laiz, director of the Master’s in Communication Management and Strategic Branding at CEU San Pablo University, emphasises: “The launch of this second intake allows us to continue an academic project that combines academic rigour with direct experience from the professional sector. Our collaboration with MARCO helps us to offer up-to-date, specialised training that is closely linked to the needs of the market. Our aim is for students to develop the strategic, creative and leadership skills currently required in corporate communication”.
With this new edition, MARCO and CEU San Pablo University remain committed to an educational model that brings together knowledge, creativity, technology and professional experience, preparing students to tackle the challenges of communication and strategic branding in an increasingly complex and competitive business environment.
Those interested can find further information on the CEU San Pablo University website.