When a marketing associate needs to import a list of contacts from a text file into Salesforce Marketing Cloud, the most suitable type of data extension to use is a Standard Data Extension. Standard Data Extensions are versatile and can easily accommodate data imported from various sources, including text files. They allow for the creation of custom fields that can match the structure of the imported data, ensuring that all relevant information from the text file is accurately captured and stored within Marketing Cloud.
Standard Data Extensions are designed for scenarios where data needs to be imported and stored for segmentation, targeting, and personalization within marketing campaigns. They provide the flexibility to define the schema that matches the imported data and are the foundational element for managing customer data within the platform.
References: Salesforce Marketing Cloud documentation on data extensions provides comprehensive details on how to create and manage Standard Data Extensions, including the import of data from external sources like text files.