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Doctoral Programme Marketing

DBA in Marketing & Brand Strategy

ESGCI, Paris (France)

"Research-backed brand leadership for the attention economy"

4.6 (334 reviews)
690 enrolled
2.5 Years
Online
  • 3 phases ยท 17 modules ยท 2.5 Years programme
  • Earn the internationally recognised "Dr." title
  • Dissertation on a live business challenge in your organisation
  • Cohort of up to 20 senior executives from 25+ countries
Ph.D.-Equivalent Credential Industry-Recognised Global Cohort ยท 25+ Countries

Duration

2.5 Years

Phases

3

Modules

17

Cohort

Up to 20

Credential

DBA

Delivery

Online

About This Programme

The DBA in Marketing & Brand Strategy transforms CMOs, brand directors, and marketing strategists into doctoral-level researchers who produce original insights on consumer behaviour, brand equity, and digital marketing effectiveness. The programme combines neuroscience-informed consumer research with global brand management theory.

Your dissertation will investigate a real marketing challenge โ€” from luxury brand positioning in emerging markets to AI-driven personalisation at scale โ€” producing evidence that advances both your organisation's strategy and the broader marketing science canon.

Learning Outcomes

Design and defend original research on consumer behaviour and brand equity
Apply neuroscience and behavioural science to marketing strategy
Lead global brand management across multicultural markets
Evaluate digital marketing effectiveness using rigorous research methods
Build evidence-based content, SEO, and performance marketing frameworks
Advise boards on brand valuation and reputation management
Publish in top-ranked marketing journals
Lead marketing transformation using AI and data-driven personalisation

Eligibility & Admission

  • Masters, MBA, or equivalent from a recognised institution
  • 10+ years professional experience
  • 5+ years in marketing, brand management, or commercial strategy
  • Research interest statement on a marketing topic
  • Portfolio of brand work (optional but valued)

Programme Structure

3 phases ยท 17 modules ยท 2.5 Years

Phase 1

Marketing Research Foundations

Months 1โ€“6
Consumer Behaviour Research Methods
Brand Equity & Valuation Theory
Quantitative & Qualitative Marketing Research
Neuromarketing & Behavioural Economics
Academic Writing for Marketing Practitioners
Phase 2

Specialist Marketing Electives

Months 7โ€“18
Global Brand Management & Architecture
Digital Marketing Analytics & Attribution
Luxury & Premium Brand Strategy
AI-Driven Personalisation Research
Content Strategy & Media Effectiveness
Marketing Leadership & Agency Management
Phase 3

Doctoral Dissertation

Months 19โ€“30
Research Proposal on a Live Marketing Challenge
Consumer Survey Design & Sampling
Statistical Analysis with SPSS / R
Dissertation Drafting & Supervision
Viva Voce Defence
Marketing Journal Submission

Career Outcomes

Where our DBA graduates lead

Chief Marketing Officer

โ‚น 50L โ€“ 1.5Cr PA

HUL P&G Nestlรฉ India

VP / Director โ€“ Brand Strategy

โ‚น 35L โ€“ 80L PA

L'Orรฉal Tanishq Myntra

Marketing Researcher / Consultant

โ‚น 25L โ€“ 60L PA

Kantar Nielsen Bain & Company

92%

Executive Promotion Rate

2ร—

Avg. Salary Multiplier

18 mo

Avg. Time to Next Role

Programme Faculty

P

Prof. Kavitha Reddy

Programme Director ยท PhD Yale ยท Ex-Unilever Global CMO ยท Author of 'Brand Mind'

4.9
Brand Equity Research Consumer Neuroscience Global Marketing
D

Dr. Marcus Chen

Digital Marketing Lead ยท DBA Wharton ยท Ex-Google APAC Marketing Director

4.9
Digital Attribution Research AI Marketing Performance Measurement

Candidate Reviews

4.6

Programme Rating

5
64%
4
23%
3
9%
2
3%
1
1%
334

Total reviews

V
Venkat Rao Jun 2026

The DBA transformed how I engage with my board. I now bring evidence, not just intuition, to every strategic discussion. The dissertation process was challenging but incredibly rewarding.

P
Patricia Walsh May 2026

Worth every rupee. The faculty are genuinely at the top of their field. My supervisor pushed me in ways that made the research genuinely original. Got promoted to Group CEO three months after defending.

A
Anand Gupta Apr 2026

Demanding programme โ€” but that's the point. The cohort of fellow executives is itself worth the investment. The network I've built across 18 countries is invaluable.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Doctor of Business Administration

DBA in Marketing & Brand Strategy

Corporate Academy

Awarded on successful defence

Ph.D.-Equivalent Credential

Earn the "Dr." Title

Upon successful defence of your dissertation, you are awarded the Doctor of Business Administration โ€” a credential recognised by leading corporations, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies worldwide. Add it to your LinkedIn, email signature, and board profile.

  • Globally recognised 'Dr.' title
  • Alumni network of 5,000+ doctoral graduates
  • Eligible for academic appointments at leading B-schools
  • Verified by partner accreditation bodies

Frequently Asked Questions

Is prior marketing experience required?

Yes โ€” applicants should have significant experience in brand management, marketing strategy, or a related commercial role, typically at a senior manager level or above.

Will I need to run consumer research studies?

Yes. Most dissertations involve primary consumer research โ€” surveys, ethnographies, or experiments. We provide full training in ethical research design and consumer panel access.

Can I focus on digital marketing rather than traditional brand management?

Absolutely. Dissertation topics can focus on digital marketing effectiveness, social media research, influencer marketing, or AI-driven personalisation.

Talk to a DBA Counsellor

Get a personalised admissions roadmap โ€” free of charge.

Upcoming Intakes

October 2026

Next Batch

7 seats left

January 2027

Upcoming

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April 2027

Later

15 seats left

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