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Better strategies. Clearer plans. Stronger results.

Created by PR Smith, SOSTAC® is used by marketing professionals and business leaders around the world, because it works. It’s logical, memorable, and gives you a clear structure to build smarter strategies, faster.

Are you aspiring to become a Marketing Leader?

Perfect for aspiring Directors, Chief Marketing Officers (CMO) and Senior Marketing Professionals?

Our comprehensive CPD-Accredited Marketing training course is designed and delivered by James, an experienced Chief Marketing Officer with over two decades of hands-on experience across diverse industries. His expertise spans a broad spectrum of sectors, providing you with a holistic perspective on marketing strategies and techniques essential for reaching the pinnacle of your career.
As a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), James brings unparalleled professionalism and industry recognised excellence to the course. His academic background, including a Communications degree from the University of Lincoln and a Postgraduate diploma from The Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM), enriches the course content with up-to-date knowledge and insights.

What sets this course apart is James’ dedication to mentoring and his ability to seamlessly integrate his teaching expertise with his extensive marketing knowledge. In addition to being an accomplished marketer, he holds a PTLLS qualification. James crafts an immersive learning journey that is both informative and engaging, making this course truly exceptional.

Embark on this six-week journey with us as James shares his insights, experiences, and proven marketing strategies. This course isn’t just about learning, it’s also an opportunity to gain a mentor in the field of marketing and expand your network.

Our programme is crafted to support your career development every step of the way, offering tailored guidance and expertise to navigate the marketing career ladder effectively. James has an extensive recruitment network and can support candidates with securing new roles.

Course Overview

Learn the principles — or become a certified planner

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Course 1: SOSTAC® Principles

Intermediate level

Build marketing plans that actually hold together.

In this intermediate-level masterclass, you’ll learn how to construct an effective marketing plan using the full SOSTAC® framework — with a strong emphasis on the starting point that most people rush: situation analysis and customer insight.

You’ll leave knowing exactly what belongs in a plan, how each element connects to the next, and how to structure your thinking so that your strategy has real foundations.

  • Digital badge on completion
  • Personal skills passport

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Course 2: SOSTAC® Certified Planner

Advanced level

Become the strategist your team needs.

This advanced-level masterclass is built for marketing professionals who want to write, review and improve strategic plans with real confidence — not just follow a template.

You’ll develop your own strategy from scratch, identify and fix weaknesses in existing plans, and learn how to reduce planning risk while driving stronger commercial results.

  • Become a Certified SOSTAC® Planner
  • Write stronger strategies, reduce risk, increase clarity

Why SOSTAC®?

Why do marketers love SOSTAC®?

Because it just makes sense.

SOSTAC® — Situation, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Action, Control — gives marketers a common language for planning that's simple enough to remember, rigorous enough to trust, and flexible enough to apply to almost any challenge.

Created by PR Smith, the framework has been voted one of the Top 3 Business Models in the world by the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Centenary Poll. It's used across industries, company sizes and markets — from ambitious independents to large enterprise teams.

  • Easy to learn and easy to remember
  • Works for digital, brand, campaign or business strategy
  • Immediately applicable to real-world planning challenges
  • Respected and recognised by marketing professionals globally
About PR Smith

About PR Smith

PR Smith is a marketing consultant, bestselling business author and international speaker. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Digital Marketing, he has worked with hundreds of organisations — from fast-growth start-ups to established global brands.

He is the creator of the SOSTAC® Planning framework and the Great Sportsmanship Programme, and serves as a guest lecturer at Technological University Dublin and Cardiff University.

Team / Bespoke

Bring SOSTAC® to your whole team

Get everyone speaking the same language — and planning to the same standard.

We offer bespoke SOSTAC® training solutions for groups of up to 15 people, delivered remotely or at your own site. If you want your team to plan better and think more strategically, this is where to start.

Not sure which course is right for you?

james@francesandkevin.co.uk

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Yet another success story!

Adam Haugh has landed the role of Marketing Team Leader at Customer Alliance

Congratulations Adam Haugh!

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Yet another success story!

Stephanie Webster has landed the role of Marketing Director at Frenkel Topping

Congratulations Stephanie Webster!

Get in touch and begin your future, today.

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