The Marketing Agency

The Marketing Agency (TMA) at University of Portsmouth represents a sector‑leading evolution of authentic assessment and feedback practice. While many institutions embed live client work within individual modules, TMA extends this principle into a structured, programme‑wide civic partnership model that connects students, academics, local authorities and business‑support organisations.

Delivered in collaboration with Portsmouth City Council and Shaping Portsmouth, TMA integrates assessment and feedback with real marketing challenges sourced directly from the local economy. Through the Portsmouth Business Support Service, businesses are triaged and matched with student consultancy teams, enabling ongoing cycles of applied learning that reflect real‑world expectations and professional standards. Students work with SMEs, start‑ups, public sector and third‑sector organisations on areas including consumer research, branding, digital marketing, social media strategy and more. This approach positions assessment not simply as a measurement of learning, but as a vehicle for civic engagement, employability development and curriculum renewal.