Integrated marketing communication at Unisa : an evaluation of its publicity

Abstract

This study is a qualitative evaluation of generated and nongenerated publicity using Unisa as a case study over a period of six months. The qualitative data were quantified through the use of content analysis. The study takes as its point of departure the importance of an integrated marketing communication approach. It indicates how an integrated marketing communication approach can secure that an organisation's publicity efforts contribute effectively to its marketing objectives. In addition, it indicates that an organisation can also deal with nongenerated, negative publicity much more effectively within such an approach. This study establishes that because Unisa did not adopt an integrated marketing communication approach, it had a detrimental effect on its efforts to generate publicity as well as on its efforts to deal with negative publicity. These findings are discussed in terms of specific criteria for generated and nongenerated publicity within an integrated marketing communication approach.