About Me
Francesca Sotgiu is a marketing professor and researcher whose work focuses on brand strategy, digital marketing, and consumer behavior. She currently serves as Director of Graduate Studies in Business Data Science and has a rich history of academic contributions across Europe.

Francesca Sotgiu
Full Professor of Marketing
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
As a Professor of Marketing, I specialize in PhD marketing education and executive research training — combining rigorous academic instruction with practical, hands-on learning. My teaching experience spans undergraduate Marketing courses, Econometrics summer schools, executive-level workshops on Pricing, and applied seminars such as Agile Social Media for Strategic Decisions.
My courses are designed not only for students but also for professionals and external researchers eager to enhance their capabilities through executive education and research-led training. Opportunities are available for participation in select programs that emphasize analytical depth and strategic thinking.
In parallel with my teaching, I supervise applied research and consulting projects in collaboration with companies. These partnerships provide PhD students and executives the opportunity to work with real-world data, develop actionable insights, and contribute to both academic literature and business impact.

Research Interests
- Digital & Social Media Marketing
- Retailing & Pricing Strategy
- Brand Ecosystems
- eWOM & Online Reviews
- Mobile & In-App Advertising
- Meta-Analysis in Marketing
Selected Publications
Selected Publications
Zhang et al. (2024) – Optimizing size-inclusive model photography in online fashion retailing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science.
AMS Best Paper Award (2023).
Liadeli, Sotgiu & Verlegh (2023) – Effects of Brand-Owned Social Media on Engagement and Sales, Journal of Marketing.
Top 5% Altmetric, Featured on JM Buzz Podcast.
Projects Under Review & Work in Progress
Work in Progress
From Washing to Hushing – Under review at Journal of Marketing Research
Touch, Swipe, and Tilt – In preparation
Influencer Unboxing – In preparation
Teaching
I teach undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral-level courses in marketing, digital strategy, and data-driven decision-making.
Courses:
Presenting in Academia (PhD/Research Master; Tinbergen Institute & Business Data Science)
Marketing Science (PhD/Research Master; Business Data Science)
Marketing I (Bachelor; VU Amsterdam)