The first batch of the inaugural Certificate in Digital Marketing (CDM) successfully completed the programme and was recognised for the efforts at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) Certification Ceremony held recently.

Today’s world requires a successful career man or a woman to be at the top of their game to reach the pinnacle of success. With everything available at a single click, the knowledge of digital marketing is vital for making waves in a field which is already thriving and competitive.
SLIM, the renowned national marketing body for marketing with nearly 50 years of experience, is setting the precedent for marketing education in the country. SLIM recognizes the necessity for future digital marketers to hone their skills and take on the future with confidence and as a result, introduced an innovative programme to its extensive educational portfolio this year, known as the CDM. 

Digital marketing is also known as the marketing of products or services using digital media and technologies, mainly on the Internet but also including mobile phones, display advertising and any other digital medium. 

This branch of marketing, which promotes products or brands via digital media, differs from traditional marketing as it involves the use of channels and methods which enable an organisation to analyse marketing campaigns and understand what works and what doesn’t for each particular promotion.

Digital marketing facilitates customer relationships across all channels both digital and traditional and is thus an integrated approach towards marketing.

The CDM is a preliminary course designed by SLIM to help students understand the fundamentals and various aspects of digital marketing and the online communication ecosystem. Students gain the essential skills in planning, organising, leading, controlling and decision-making within the innovative, three month-long programme, which consists of five modules. 

While 50 percent of the content emphasize on theoretical concepts, the remainder concentrates on professional practices with project-based learning opportunities. 

The CDM is delivered with a blended focus on academic and professional orientation. The programme caters to varied segments; it is ideal for marketing practitioners using digital marketing to meet their objectives, web marketers who intend to enhance professional prospects in the digital marketing domain, entrepreneurs looking for online sources to enhance their business prospects and performances, Advanced Level students looking for career opportunities in digital marketing and professionals who seek to excel in this sphere to become employees in the corporate sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, SLIM Vice President Education Pradeep Edward said, “We, at SLIM, introduced the Certificate in Digital Marketing programme after well-conducted market research, being aware of the massive demand in digital marketing at present,” he stated. 

“Students can be assured of guidance by well-qualified resource persons, including visiting lecturers who are practicing digital marketers, holding senior positions in top corporate industries who will provide insights on ‘the big picture’ by using examples from the local and international arena.”
Also commenting on the programme, SLIM CEO and Executive Director Sanath Senanayake noted, “I am positive that the candidates, even with preliminary marketing know-how, would be keen to gain digital marketing knowledge by following the CDM course. The Certificate in Digital Marketing by SLIM is going to be one of the most sought-after programmes in the island as time goes on. 

Our syllabus, textbooks and course content are prepared to suit the current industry requirements. The programme is crafted with the right blend of a group case study and an online examination. The programme will be reviewed frequently according to the industry requirements in order to produce well-qualified marketers, who would be able to adapt to any situation,” he concluded.