This week, Dan Meager, Marketing Manager at Spinnaker College in Portsmouth, UK, writes about the importance of brand awareness,

" Lots of developments from Spinnaker College in Portsmouth, at the moment –focusing on building brand. The fast expanding college is celebrating this month a successful year as an accredited British Council college. Along with the new Tier 4 regulations we’ve been recognised as grade A by the Home Office. As well as focusing on the 7 P’s (people, product, premises, price, place, promotion and processes) the team are concentrating on short-term initiatives and long-term relationship building.

As an approved TOEIC testing centre, Spinnaker College is now a driving force for students coming from Europe and Asia that rely on the TOEIC test to get employment and to get into educational institutions. For many students around the world, completing the TOEIC test successfully is their primary goal. Well done to everyone taking the course and doing the test. I believe over five million tests were taken last year worldwide.

The focus for the team is building brand awareness in the local and wider community. Our partner radio station – Quay Radio on 107.4FM – is doing news broadcasts from the college and info commercials to raise awareness. The local student population includes learners gaining citizenship on our ESOL course – which is remarkable given the test consists of only speaking and listening components – if passed they can get indefinite leave to remain.

Students from all four corners of the globe enjoy playing football with the teachers and staff and are delighted we’ve forged a link between Spinnaker College and the FA Cup winning side Portsmouth Football club. Watch this space for more exciting news.

Right, back to brand building.”