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Bachelor's & Master's Degrees – Alexandru Ioan Cuza University

🎓 Public Relations, Advertising & Applied Communication
📅 2015 - 2021
📍 Iași, Romania

Six years of comprehensive study in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. Bachelor's thesis explored music's psychological impact in TV advertising. Master's thesis analyzed Instagram advertising effectiveness and brand experience.

Bachelor's Degree (2015-2018)

Comprehensive training in public relations, advertising, and applied communication at the Faculty of Philosophy and Socio-Political Sciences. The curriculum combined theoretical foundations with practical applications, covering communication strategies, media systems, and consumer behavior.

Bachelor's Thesis

"Music and Advertising: The Effect of Music in Television Commercials on Consumer Attitudes"

Supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gerard Stan

Research exploring how musical elements in TV commercials influence consumer attitudes, emotions, memory, and purchasing decisions. The study combined psychology, marketing theory, and communication studies to understand music's role in advertising effectiveness.

Key Research Findings

Musical Fit Theory

  • Congruent music increases information retention and emotional response
  • Visual-auditory alignment critical for effectiveness
  • Music must match brand identity and message

Mood Induction

  • Music significantly influences consumer mood and product perception
  • Surprisingly, sad music more effective for purchase intention than positive music
  • Subconscious effects shape behavior without awareness

Musical Parameters

  • Tempo: Fast = excitement, Slow = sophistication
  • Mode: Major = happiness, Minor = seriousness
  • Timbre: Instrumentation affects brand perception

Memory & Recall

  • Jingles act as memory anchors for brand recall
  • Music matching message encourages deeper processing
  • Familiarity enhances effectiveness

Key Insight

Charles Areni's wine store study demonstrated music's subconscious influence: classical music directed consumers toward expensive purchases without increasing quantity, while popular radio music had no effect. This illustrates how strategic audio branding works below conscious awareness.

Master's Degree (2019-2021)

Continued advanced study in public relations, advertising, and applied communication, focusing on digital marketing, social media advertising, and brand experience in online environments.

Master's Thesis

"Instagram Advertising: Brand Experience and Efficiency"

Supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gerard Stan

Research analyzing Instagram's advertising effectiveness, brand experience creation, and consumer engagement on social media platforms. The study examined how visual storytelling, influencer marketing, and user-generated content shape brand perception and advertising ROI in the social media era.

Key Research Areas

Brand Experience

  • Visual storytelling in feed and Stories
  • User-generated content as social proof
  • Aesthetic consistency and brand identity

Advertising Effectiveness

  • Native ad formats vs. traditional display
  • Engagement metrics and conversion tracking
  • Cost-per-acquisition benchmarks

Consumer Behavior

  • Social media algorithms and visibility
  • User interaction patterns and preferences
  • Trust and authenticity in influencer partnerships

Strategic Implications

  • Content strategy for maximum engagement
  • Targeting and audience segmentation
  • Measuring brand equity on social platforms

Impact on Professional Practice

Both research projects laid the foundation for my approach to marketing communications. Understanding psychological mechanisms behind sensory marketing (audio and visual) informs my work in social media, content creation, and brand strategy. The emphasis on emotional connection and data-driven effectiveness continues to shape my marketing campaigns.