Building a strong brand with marketing communications at the cognitive, affective, and behavioral level. - Case Södertörn University 

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how Södertörn University may build a stronger brand through marketing communications. The paper discussed each stage of the buying process. With models like these it is possible to measure the number of consumers who occupy the different stages. Method: The data was collected in a non-random convenience selection at the Stockholm fair for higher education with 21 000 visitors. I used a survey questionnaire. The number of respondents was 409 respondents. My method of investigation is quantitative. It is measurable so that communication goals can be set. In order to build a stronger brand I analyzed prospective students and their awareness of Södertörn University. The study has a positivistic view and a deductive approach. Result & Conclusions: My study shows that Södertörn University should use marketing communication strategically by using the models. At the cognitive level the most important is to raise brand awareness. Total knowledge is 52% in Stockholm County which is too low. An increase is fatal to raise the number of applicants. At the affective level they have to increase brand attitude. At the Behavioural level they need to increase brand purchase intention and facilitate purchase. Suggestions for future research: It would be interesting to use other models of consumer responses too. Next step could be to make interviews with students to be to study how they first got to know the name, and what has affected them in order to choose or not to choose the university. Contribution of the thesis: The thesis has actually contributed a lot to Södertörn University. I have used the collected data to make a marketing plan. We now have worked a lot with awareness and seen a great increase in applications.