<p>For Marcela Berland, teaching in the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/executive-masters-in-marketing-and-strategic-communications.html">Executive Master’s in Marketing and Strategic Communications</a> program is about sharing real-world knowledge and helping senior leaders grow into transformative communicators.</p> <p>“I love teaching in the Executive Master’s program,” says Berland. “Students bring deep expertise, curiosity, and a drive to apply what they’re learning to real-world challenges. The conversations in class are rich and rewarding. Everyone in class is learning from one another.”</p> <p>As the president and founder of Latin Insights, Berland has advised more than twelve presidents across Latin America; developed corporate strategies for clients like Disney, Microsoft, and United Airlines, and has been honored by Forbes and the Women Economic Forum (WEF) for her leadership in business and communication. In the Executive Master’s program, she teaches <i>Managing Communications for Investor Pitches, Launches, Turnarounds and Crises</i>.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional MBAs that offer a broader business approach, the Executive Master’s in Marketing and Strategic Communications “hones in on how executives can transform their organizations through strategic communication,” Berland explains. “From launching a product and building brand loyalty to navigating a crisis or developing a turnaround strategy, the curriculum is highly practical and application-driven.”</p> <p>Berland credits the program’s development team for doing extensive research to identify what was missing in the marketplace and designing something new from the ground up. “It’s fast-paced, sharp, and built for the realities of senior leadership.”</p> <p>In class, Berland focuses on the importance of developing skills like strategic thinking, cross-functional alignment, and the ability to communicate effectively under pressure. “Today, everything is about communication,” she says. “Whether you’re speaking to investors, employees, or the board, if you’re not doing it well, you risk creating a crisis.”</p> <p>“What I taught last year isn’t what I’ll teach this year,” says Berland. Each academic year, she brings in new clients, refreshes case studies, and invites top guest speakers to address timely topics such as AI in marketing, influencer strategy, and crisis communication in the digital age. Guest speakers don’t just talk about what’s happening now, they help students understand what’s coming next.</p>

<p>Berland finds that seeing her students’ growth in real time is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. “I invited the CMO of Marc Jacobs to work with my class. The students were divided into teams and developed a full turnaround strategy and marketing campaign for her company–she was blown away by their contributions and even applied many of their recommendations. That was a moment of pride for all of us.”</p> <p>The Executive Master’s program “is for people ready to reinvent themselves,” states Berland. “Whether they want to move from agency to client side, break into tech, or rise into the C-suite, the curriculum provides the tools and the environment to do that.”</p>

<p>Berland highlights the power of the classroom community, where students learn from each other’s perspectives and industries. “If you’re in fashion but want to move into healthcare, you’ll likely have a classmate or a guest speaker who’s already there,” she says. “That kind of network and exposure is priceless.”</p> <p>She reminds students that the classroom is a safe space to learn, grow, and make mistakes. “You don’t get fired in my class,” she laughs. “You learn. And that’s what makes this program so powerful.”</p>