The essay topic is as follows:

“ Social media has enabled and accelerated the social construction of brand meaning. Are all brand communications (consumer, organisation or other originated) within this environment authentic, and trustworthy? Discuss.”

This is an essay based on scholarly journal article research, theory and critical evaluation/ synthesis (not mere description). You must support your answer with a minimum of 6 journal articles (can be peer reviewed or otherwise but must be from sources classified as Journals). The essays upper word limit is 2,500 words. There is no minimum word limit. The upper word limit is strict. NB. The word limit does not include; title page/cover page, sub-headings, reference list (it does include in-text citations), appendix. You may include brief commentary on brand examples, but only if the examples originate from within the specific journal articles you have cited in your essay (i.e. not from personal experience, or from popular non scholarly journal press). Note – your essay should provide a balanced view of this topic (pro’s and con’s).

Notes:

• A minimum of 6 journal articles. Penalty of 20/100 marks applied if this criteria is not met.
• Full Harvard author-date referencing is required (in-text citations, and reference list).