Social media marketing: going viral in the modern age

This is a Business and management studies Subject Spotlight with Stuart Ailion from The University of Law. An interactive, cinematic course taster experience to allow students to gain insights into what it's like to study Business and management studies.

Take this Subject Spotlight to...

In this Subject Spotlight, join Stuart Ailion from The University of Law as he explores the power of social media marketing. In episode 1, Stuart discusses why businesses employ social media marketing, explores whether traditional marketing communication is outdated, and thinks about whether social media marketing has actually taken over from traditional marketing, and why. In episode 2, Stuart discusses influencers within the marketing industry, introduces the concept of viral marketing, and some of the wider issues and considerations involved in social media marketing. In episode 3, Stuart introduces three mini case studies that feature marketing campaigns that have either been incredibly successful, or gone viral for all the wrong reasons. In the final episode, Stuart presents an interactive activity in which he identifies vital marketing factors, then gets you to look out for these factors in four different marketing campaigns. These include Nike, Snickers, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk and Just Eat. He then rounds up the spotlight by discussing the reasons social media marketing may appeal to you.

Take Subject Spotlight

About The University of Law

The University of Law is a specialist education institution offering law related qualifications and professional training. The university is the largest law school in the UK and was founded in 1876. The University of Law has nine campuses across the UK in Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield. It also has an international campus in Hong Kong. Uniquely, the University of Law also delivers law programmes at a number of partnered universities across the country, including the University of Exeter and the University of Liverpool.

Meet the academics

Stuart Ailion

Stuart Ailion is a Lecturer in Business at the Business School Manchester campus. He specialises in Business Strategy, Operational Business Development and Marketing Management, and has a Master’s degree in Marketing. Previously, Stuart held Senior Leadership positions in the mass market retail fashion industry for over 25 years. Stuart was a founding director of a Research and Development technical textile company alongside his business partner, a Doctor of Material Science. Together, they commercialised an innovative shape change fibre technology with granted patents in seven international jurisdictions. He entered into the higher education sector in 2014, lecturing in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and Business Strategic Development at Manchester Metropolitan University. Stuart was born and lives in Manchester and is a lifelong Manchester United fan.

In every Subject Spotlight you'll find

On-demand interactive video content

Sign up, log in, and access a wide range of potentially life-changing Subject Spotlight experiences that will help you make informed decisions about your university future.

Remarkable & relatable academics

Learn from some of the UK's finest and most decorated academics as they give you a genuine, insightful, and engaging experience of studying their courses at their universities.

Interactive quizzes and activities

Have a go at fascinating interactive quizzes and activities, then get meaningful and intuitive feedback from the academics to see how you've done.

Content to enhance students university applications

Hear direct from the academics what's expected of you in your university application, and the things you can do to improve your chances of getting on the course you most desire!

Certificate of completion

You'll receive a certificate of completion to evidence your learning - why not add this to your CV and university applications to show your dedication to your future pathway!

Other Subject Spotlights for The University of Law

See all

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Subject Spotlight?

Subject Spotlights fuse education and entertainment to bring you the new way of researching your university options.

Entirely free and available on-demand, you can choose to engage with the content in the way that best suits you - whether that's in bite-sized chunks or in binge-sessions!

Why should I check out Subject Spotlights?

Get a real, representative impression of what pursuing a subject at university is actually like, so that you can make the right decision for you.

Stand out from the competition by completing a Subject Spotlight to gain the most relevant references and evidence for your personal statement.

Who is this Spotlight for?

This subject spotlight is made for students aged 16 and above, that are considering applying to University, particularly to study the subject in the title, or similar areas.

How should I talk about completing a Subject Spotlight on my UCAS application?

Completing a Subject Spotlight shows the university you're applying to that you've taken time outside of school to engage with relevant content.

The easiest way to include it would be to briefly mention one or two things you learned from it and how/why those learnings have furthered your desire to study the subject. We don't want to prescribe an answer because it's your personal statement but this is a good starting point!