Institute for Social Marketing

The Institute for Social Marketing (ISM) brings over 30 years' experience to the study and dissemination of social marketing theory and practice. We began work in 1980 as the Advertising Research Unit at the University of Strathclyde, with a particular interest in mass media communications and their impact on public health. In 1992, our broadening interest in the whole marketing process led us to create the Centre for Social Marketing. In 1998 our work on tobacco was recognised by Cancer Research UK, who helped us establish the Centre for Tobacco Control Research. The Institute was established in 2004-5 at the University of Stirling under a joint venture with the Open University. Our partnership with both institutions enables us to exploit the increasingly international focus of our work and to build on synchronicities within both universities.

The Work of ISM