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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Digital Media Campaigns
Module Code MCO1059 (ITS: CM5993)
Faculty Communications School Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module introduces students to the strategic use of digital and social media for effective campaign management. The module will create awareness among the students of the range of issues to be considered when developing, implementing and evaluating digital media campaigns.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the evolution and impact of digital and social media on the creation and management of commercial, social and political campaigns
2. Critically evaluate strategic, editorial and technical choices made by digital campaigners
3. Understand and critically evaluate the strategies, tactics, and tools used to reach, engage and influence target audiences on digital and social media channels
4. Understand how to develop a digital content strategy, how to implement it and how to evaluate its impact


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture22No Description
Assignment Completion20No Description
Group work23No Description
Independent Study60No Description
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN11011Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorTetyana LokotModule TeacherDarragh Doyle
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Report(s)Individual assessment of existing digital campaigns Students will choose an existing digital campaign developed by a commercial organization, public institution, NGO, or campaigning group. Then, they will critically assess the strategies, choices, and tools used by the campaigners and evaluate the impact on the target audience. The individual work will be evaluated by the lecturer through two assignment points: - An individual presentation to the class (20%) - A report (30%)50%n/a
Group project Group Project: creating a digital campaign. Each group will be assigned a client and brief and asked to design a digital campaign - to include: aims and objectives, target audiences, digital communications channels to be employed, digital content strategy and digital metrics targets. Students must submit a written proposal to accompany the pitch to the client and will present in class their project and the material produced for the campaign.50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The Evolving Digital Landscape
An introduction to the digital landscape, how this has evolved and how it has impacted on current social media campaign practice.

The Social Media Players
An examination of the main players in social media; Successful strategies for reaching and engaging target audiences on different platforms; Principles for selecting channels; Key metrics for each.

The Social Media Plan
Developing a plan for social media presence; Tools to monitor and manage across multiple platforms; Dealing with incidents and comments.

Digital Content Strategies
The integration of owned, earned, and paid content; native advertising; mobile, local, and social advertising; Strategic channel selection; Creating digital and social media content; Who generates the content; Crafting network strategies; Presentation of digital content; Sources of errors.

Establishing Communities and Mobilising the Audience
Community development theory; Behaviour Change and social media; Brand authenticity; Social media mobilization; User-generated content; Offline and online advocacy; Transforming audiences into users; best practices for social media engagement.

Social Media Campaigns – Case Studies
We’ll examine examples of recent social media campaigns (commercial, political and social change).

Emerging Trends in Digital Media Campaigns
How to evolve and adapt your digital and social media campaigns, as the landscape continues to evolve, to ensure you can continue to reach, engage and influence target audiences.

Social Listening, Assessing Results, Digital Metrics & ROI
How to effectively monitor social media and online forums to gather data, insight and intelligence on exiting and potential stakeholders; How to identify opportunities to join relevant conversations online; How data and analytics can be used for strategic digital communications; How digital communications activities can be assessed in providing an appropriate return on investment (ROI); Evaluation, tools and best practices in integrating social media metrics into a strategic plan; Developing the assessment protocol and the evaluation tool; Dive deeper into analytics; Preparing an assessment report.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Mahoney, L. M., Tang, T.: 2016, Strategic social media: From marketing to social change, Wiley-Blackwell,
  • Clampitt, P.G.: 2017, Social media strategy: Tools for professionals and organizations, Sage,
  • Kim, C. M.: 2016, Social media campaigns: Strategies for public relations and marketing, Routledge,
  • Burgess, J., Marwick, A., & Poell, T.: 2017, The SAGE handbook of social media, (Parts III, IV and V), Sage,


Articles:
  • Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B.: 2007, Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship, Journal of computer‐mediated Communication,, 13(1), 519020
  • 2011: We’re all connected: The power of the social media ecosystem., Business Horizons, 54(3), 519021, 1
  • Social media use and participation: a meta-analysis of current research: Information Communication and Society, 18(5), 519022, 1, Li, F., Larimo, J., & Leonidou, L. C.
  • Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science: 49(1),
Other Resources

  • 1: Industry report., Hootsuite, 2022, Social Trends 2022,
  • 416022: 1, Industry report., Mention, 2022, State of Social: What does the future hold for social media marketing in 2022?,
  • Accessed from: https://mention.com/pardot-2/files/state-of-social-ebook-updated.pdf: 416023, 1, Industry report., TalkWalker, 2022, 2022 Social Media Trends
  • Accessed from: https://www.talkwalker.com/resource/white-papers/en-final-smt-report.pdf:

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