Organised by the University of Macerata, together with the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association and industry experts, it begins in April 2026 and lasts for one year, positioning itself as a key opportunity in nautical marketing education.
The Italian boating industry is expanding. According to Confindustria Nautica, Italy is the world leader in superyacht production, with a share of over 50% of the global market in terms of units delivered, a percentage that is set to grow over the next five years.
In this context, marketing and communication are strategic in supporting the competitiveness of businesses, enhancing brands and promoting Italy around the world, especially within the evolving marine industry communication landscape.
In order to train professionals, the University of Macerata has launched the first edition of the first-level master’s degree in “Marketing, Communication and Journalism in the Nautical Sector (MCGN)” for the academic year 2025-2026: an advanced training course that combines academic expertise with direct knowledge of the nautical sector and its industrial supply chain, reinforcing its role as a leading yachting industry course.
The master’s details
Lasting one year and requiring a total commitment of 1,500 hours, equivalent to 60 university credits (CFU), the master’s degree trains professionals to work in the fields of nautical marketing education, business communication and specialised journalism, providing them with the technical and strategic skills essential for communicating with companies, institutions, the media and operators in a sector of excellence of Made in Italy.
The maximum number of participants is set at 40 students, with activation upon reaching 25 enrolments, while the cost is 4,000 €, payable in 2 instalments. The fee drops to 3,000 € for members of the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association, but further discounts are available. Classes begin in April 2026 and end in April 2027, in a blended format: face-to-face lessons and online lessons on a dedicated e-learning platform.
A course to meet the companies’ needs
The synergy between the academic and industrial worlds has resulted in an innovative programme designed to meet the communication and promotion needs of companies throughout the Italian nautical supply chain, strengthening competencies in marine industry communication.
The master’s programme integrates skills in strategic marketing, business communication, sector journalism and public relations, applying them to real-world contexts in shipbuilding, accessories, refit, port facilities and tourist services.
The main teaching modules include:
• principles of marketing and communication;
• analysis of the nautical sector and maritime legislation;
• technology and yacht design;
• brand communication and corporate identity;
• media mix and digital communication; industry events, co-marketing and co-branding;
• technical English and managerial soft skills.
The programme
The programme offers 239 hours of teaching, including 80 in-person and 159 online, as well as 250 hours of internship or project work at shipyards, companies in the supply chain, media or organisations in the nautical sector, making it a highly practical yachting industry course.
The course also includes meetings with shipbuilding operators, specialised journalists, and communications managers from nautical companies and associations, with the aim of transferring skills that can be immediately applied in the professional market.
Career opportunities include positions in the marketing and communications departments of shipyards and companies in the supply chain; trade journals and media; press offices and PR agencies; trade associations, tourism and port authorities, yacht clubs, and charter companies.
Target and attendance
The course is aimed at first-level graduates interested in a career in nautical communication and marketing, with the possibility of professional placement in Italy and abroad.
Lessons are held every two weeks, either in person or remotely, with an intensive weekend in the classroom every month and a half. The University of Macerata’s e-learning platform allows students to follow courses online in synchronous or asynchronous mode, with 24-hour access to materials.
Attendance is compulsory for at least 75% of the total hours. The internship can also be carried out remotely or partially remotely, depending on the needs of the host companies. Details and the official announcement are available on the University of Macerata website in the section dedicated to postgraduate courses, further reinforcing its positioning within nautical communication degree pathways.
Communicating excellence
“Luxury boating is a flagship of Made in Italy and the Marche region” confirms professor Elena Cedrola. “With this master’s programme, we want to train professionals who are able to communicate and promote this excellence. The University of Macerata invests in specialist training to support strategic sectors of the regional and national economy. Thanks to blended learning and interaction with managers and companies, it trains professionals capable of operating in complex contexts”.
Maurizio Minossi, President of the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association, comments: “Our companies must become increasingly skilled at communicating their value, strengthening their brand, and designing a user/service experience for customers based on continuous listening”, highlighting the importance of advanced marine industry communication skills.
The master’s programme was the brainchild of Fabio Petrone, director of PressMare, in agreement with Maurizio Minossi, President of the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association, and was proposed to John Francis McCourt, rector of the University of Macerata. Work then began on creating a university course dedicated to training new professionals in nautical marketing and communication.
The project was developed by a team led by Elena Cedrola, professor of Economics and International Marketing and director of the Department of Economics and Law at the University of Macerata, assisted by:
Roberta Sabatini, image & communication manager at Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard;
Tünde Harkácsi, marketing and communications manager at Videoworks;
Virginia De Carlo, marketing director at Palumbo Superyacht;
Fabio Petrone himself.
Massimo Pigliapoco, co-founder and communications strategist at Tonidigrigio, contributed to the course planning and communications strategy that will support its launch.
