10-week marketing course begins March 25 at UCI

From the Register – March 22, 2003

"Implementing the Marketing Plan: Advertising, Promotion and On-Site Merchandising Strategies," the third in a series of Residential Marketing courses for new-home professionals, begins Tuesday at the University of California, Irvine.

Co-sponsored by the University of California, Irvine and the Sales and Marketing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, the class is one of the Marketing for the Residential Builder courses offered as a UCI Certificate program.

Developed by the Institute of Residential Marketing, an affiliate organization of the National Association of Home Builders, the four IRM courses are required for housing-industry professionals seeking the Member of the Institute of Marketing designation.

The 10-week course will focus on creating a successful and comprehensive communications and presentations system, ensuring a residential development project is well received and pertinent for its targeted market segment. Attendees will learn how to form a cohesive marketing group by understanding the disciplines involved, and by effectively communicating with and properly managing their marketing team.

In a guest-lecture format, industry professionals will share practical insights into a variety of topics, from advertising and public relations to interior design and landscape architecture techniques, broadening the professional knowledge of builders, marketing directors, sales managers and others in the homebuilding industry.

As an added benefit, the course may also apply toward the fulfillment of 15 hours of the continuing education credit requirements in the consumer service category needed for California real estate license renewals.

The program is directed by Michael Hixson, MBA, MIRM, senior vice-president of Prudential New Homes Real Estate and a past president of both the Institute of Residential Marketing and of SMC/SC. Hixson will instruct the IRM III course that will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m.-9:30p.m. beginning March 25 and continuing through May 27.

The Building Industry of Southern California and the Sales and Marketing Council of Southern California sponsor many seminars and educational programs for industry professionals, including all four IRM courses and a series of all-day Certified New Home Sales Professional classes. The next seminar for Advanced CSP 1 – House Construction as a Selling Tool will be held this May.

To enroll in the Implementing the Marketing Plan course, contact UCI Extension at (949) 824-5414 or register online at www.unex.uci.edu.

For more information about the class or the IRM course series, contact Hixson at m.hixson@pnhre.com.