Masterclass: SOSTAC® Principles

Level: Intermediate
Start with strong foundations. Plan with confidence.

Master the Principles of PR Smith’s SOSTAC® model with a deep focus on Situation Analysis — understanding your customers, competitors, and market environment to set the right direction for your marketing and comms plans. Perfect for those new to SOSTAC® or preparing to progress to the advanced SOSTAC® Certified Planner course.

Only available from nesma!

Accredited Certificate

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online

Start Date
September 2025
January, April, June 2026
Duration
1 day
Fees
Included
Course fee

£695+VAT
Tutors
Veronica Swindale, Sali Midjek-Conway
*Team discounts and payment options available

Get a recognised qualification

Join a 300,000 strong digital marketing community!

Over 75,000

Learners

5.0 (62 reviews) 

Why learn with nesma ?

We offer personalised learning that adapts to your changing situation at work and home, and more tutor hours to make sure you achieve your learning goals faster! 

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Unique offers for this programme: 

We provide a unique range of offers to support your learning experience when completing this course
  • If your studying 'on demand', book personal coaching 
  • CIM Dual Award - Options
  • Access additional learning resources free on your personal Learning Hub space
  • Earn nesma credits towards other qualifications

Course description

If you want to build rock-solid marketing plans by first understanding the context you’re working in, this course is for you.

You’ll master the foundations of PR Smith’s SOSTAC® model with a deep dive into Situation Analysis — learning how to assess customers, competitors, and market forces to set the right direction for your marketing and communications activity.

This course suits anyone wanting to strengthen their analysis and planning foundations — from marketers new to SOSTAC® to experienced professionals who want to refine the way they set up their plans. It’s also valuable for non-marketers who need clear insight before developing strategies and campaigns.





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What you'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will confidently use the SOSTAC® framework to build strong planning foundations, with a focus on Situation Analysis. You’ll know how to gather and interpret insight on customers, competitors, and market trends, and use that understanding to set the right direction for your marketing and communications activity. After completing this course, you will be able to:
  • Conduct a robust Situation Analysis: Gather and analyse data on your customers, competitors, and market environment to understand your starting position.
  • Identify internal strengths and weaknesses: Evaluate organisational capabilities and resources to inform your planning choices.
  • Spot external opportunities and threats: Assess market trends, competitor moves, and environmental factors that could impact your plans.
  • Link insight to objectives and strategy: Use your analysis to set realistic goals and prepare for strategic development in future planning.

Your course includes

  • Online tutor time
  • Tutor support
  • Manual
  • Downloadable resources
  • Qualification Certificate

Start with Strong Foundations. Plan with Confidence!

Ideal for anyone wanting to strengthen the foundations of their marketing and comms plans—whether you’re new to SOSTAC®, a marketing executive, comms lead, consultant, or business owner.

You’ll master the essentials of PR Smith’s globally recognised SOSTAC® planning framework, with a deep dive into Situation Analysis—understanding your customers, competitors, and market environment to set the right direction.

We’ll focus on the critical first stage of the framework, showing you how to turn insight into clear objectives, effective strategies, and successful campaigns.

When you’re done, you’ll have the skills to build strong, evidence-based plans—and be ready to progress to the advanced SOSTAC® Certified Planner course.

We’ll help you get there faster, with expert support and the nesma difference.

All our learners gain access the the nesma learning hub via your own homepage.

From here you can access all your courses, materials and activities, see your progress and work with other students. 

The platform provides broader benefits including skills passport, activity badges, and access to skills intelligence, offers and news!

Aims

You’ll develop a solid planning foundation, sharpen your situation analysis skills, and gain the confidence to build clear, evidence-based marketing and communications plans—no fluff, just practical insights that work.

In short, you’ll become a CERTIFIED planning specialist grounded in the essentials, ready to assess, design, and support impactful marketing plans with clarity and precision.

Certification Exam 

 

The Test is punchy, focused and dynamic. Questions come in different formats including text and image-based multiple choice, matching and drag and drop formats. It lasts 60 minutes,

Who is it for?

This course is designed for anyone involved in marketing or communications planning—whether you’re a marketing executive, comms officer, coordinator, strategist, brand or PR professional, content creator, consultant, business owner, or agency lead.

It’s also ideal for those new to SOSTAC® or looking to strengthen their situation analysis and planning foundations before progressing to more advanced strategic planning.  If your not sure talk to us :)
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Meet your tutors

Veronica Swindale

Marketing leadership course director, MD of nesma

Veronica is a senior tutor and the Managing Director of nesma, bringing over 20 years of strategic marketing and leadership experience. With a strong background in driving business growth through innovative marketing and digital transformation, she expertly guides senior marketers to develop the skills needed for impactful leadership roles. Veronica combines strategic insight with practical expertise, helping learners navigate complex marketing challenges and excel in their CIM Level 7 Marketing Leadership journey.

Sali Midjek-Conway

Senior Tutor | Strategic Communications & Planning Expert

Sali is a Chartered Marketer and senior communications professional with over 20 years' experience across education, finance, and sport. She has led major marketing and engagement strategies, most recently heading up communications and student recruitment at the University of Manchester.
As Vice Chair of the CIM North West Board and Chair of CIPR North West, Sali brings a wealth of practical insight to help learners build confident, strategic planning and comms skills.

What our learners say

Career catalyst

Qualifying in SOSTAC® Planning catapulted my career as a marketing strategist.

Instant Impact

Super practical -  I've started applying it instantly for my campaigns and am seeing the benefits already.

Concise and practical content

I learned a lot and now feel ready to implement these techniques into my organisation. 

Very Professional!

It was an excellent training program, and I am very pleased. The instructors were very knowledgeable, and the content was relevant to our industry.

Simple to understand!

Armed with the knowledge and techniques obtained from your school, I feel more equipped to navigate the challenging social aspects of the real world and become a professional in my field of choice.

Excellent Training Program!

The presenters were amazing. They were engaging, timely, and knowledgeable

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

If you have registered or attended a course with us before, copy/ use the promo code on the right when you enrol*

*We will of course verify you have previously learnt with us
Use promo code:

nesmaAlumni2025

Still not sure?  Talk to an advisor now...

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