Learn how brands communicate purpose and impact from the leading community of brand film professionals
Get Brand Film Certified
As the first of its kind, this industry-recognized certification program takes a deep dive into the core aspects of brand funded entertainment designed by industry professionals and delivered by East Tennessee State University.
Fill the Talent Gap
The Brand Storytelling Certification covers an industry talent gap and will appeal to professionals looking to increase opportunities in marketing, brand, film, content creation, and journalism.
Level Up Quickly With Expert Instruction
The program will span four weeks featuring some of today’s most influential names and brands in brand storytelling as guest lecturers.
Learn by Doing
Our brand-sponsored RFP delivers experiential learning unique in the certificate space.
Program Modules
Brand Storytelling 101
Explore the robust history of brand storytelling in conjunction with what is driving its evolution and modern-day impact. Learn why brands are investing in this content and where the industry is going next.
Brand Sponsors
Brand Storytelling thanks the following brands for being essential learning partners through their hands-on interaction with students and their focus on improving industry diversity with DEI certification scholarships.
Ideal For You
MARKETERS
Strategic business decision makers looking to
bridge the gap to the creative and film spaces
FILMMAKERS
Creatives looking to bridge their talents to
the marketing world of brands and ROI
JOURNALISTS & PR PROS
Storytellers who see the opportunity to expand
their career options working directly with brands
Earn Your Brand Storytelling Certification
LENGTH: 4 Weeks
DATE: January 31 - March 4
$500 USD
Sign up by January 25th and you will receive free virtual access to BrandStorytelling 2022 - the premiere virtual event for brand filmmakers. Brand Storytelling 2022 will feature award-winning brand film screenings from Sephora, Apple, P&G, Aflac, PepsiCo, 3M, The North Face, Red Bull, USPS, HP and others as well as panels, Q&As, and professional networking.
Expert Faculty
Learn from a new industry expert each week of the course
and network within the cohort.
Marc Battaglia is the co-founder of Story + Strategy and former global Executive Creative Director for Marriott International. He’s an award-winning creative executive and content marketing leader with a proven track record of building and leading internal brand creative agencies and studios.
Brian Newman, founder of SubGenre, consults on content strategy, development, distribution and marketing for some of the top brands in the world. Brian has served as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute, president of Renew Media and executive director of IMAGE Film and Video.
Marcus Peterzell is the CEO of Passion Point Collective, a leading entertainment marketing agency. A true industry leader in pop culture marketing, he has successfully built and led award-winning agency teams both independently and within Omnicom, one of the largest advertising holding companies in the world.
Dawn Reese is SVP, Managing Director for UM Studios U.S. She is an experienced media executive and integrated marketer who creates and implements digital and social media strategies, branded content campaigns, experiential activations and sponsorship programs for brands to tell their story, engage their target audience and drive ROI.
Certification Benefits
LEARN FROM EXPERTS
Our instructors and guest lecturers are world-class professionals from the brand and film industry
DIVERSITY-DRIVEN MISSION
Brands sponsor cohorts to create DEI scholarship opportunities for recruiting diverse
brand storytelling voices
BEST-IN-CLASS LEARNING
Our partnership with the ETSU Research Corporation provides world-class learning experiences
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Our brand partners engage with each cohort with a real request for proposal (RFP) to apply your learning in a capstone project
DESIGNED FOR YOUR SCHEDULE
Our asynchronous online approach provides you the flexibility to learn on your own terms
BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY
Access to our moderated private Slack community gives students the opportunity to network and meet brands looking to recruit from each cohort
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B2B media entrepreneur, founder of InfoText, Digitrends, iMedia and BrandStorytelling. A media junkie and observer, infatuated with the impact of media and technology on culture and society. Producer of over 100 advertising and media events, publisher, and journalist.
Award-winning professor, (digital) marketer and higher education administrator. Marshall consults and trains companies, universities, and students to digitally transform customer experiences to exceed organizational goals.