ASU to Host ‘How Purposeful Brands Affect Society,’ with Abbott Laboratories, Association
of National Advertisers (ANA), and the ANA Educational Foundation (AEF)
- A live virtual conference with some of America's preeminent marketing executives
exclusively for Hornet Nation.
- Registration information and more info may be obtained by clicking here and entering the Comp/Promo code ‘ASU2022.’
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
An exciting live virtual conference will be hosted by Alabama State University on Oct. 6. The conference will feature marketing industry experts who will share information about how best to embrace marketing and public relations opportunities, and how to create and drive a positive message within the new standards that now exist due to changes brought about by the COVID pandemic and social justice movements.
The conference is titled "How Purposeful Brands Affect Society.” It will take place on Oct. 6, from 11 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with ASU faculty members Dr. L. Simone Byrd, professor of Public Relations and a Fulbright Scholar, and Professor Kim Smith, instructor of Management (Percy J. Vaughn, Jr. College of Business Administration) hosting the event. The event is in collaboration with integrated marketing communication executives from Abbott Laboratories, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and the ANA Educational Foundation (AEF).
"The purpose of this conference and its goal is all about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that should be brought to the forefront of marketing. We are extending the classroom and course content by connecting the ASU community through this live virtual conference with nationally renowned marketing, public relations and advertising executives so as to bridge the gap between the academy and professional practice," said Dr. Byrd.
Byrd explained that collaborating with a multinational corporation like Abbott Laboratories provides significant cutting-edge knowledge, generates financial support to engage and participate in ANA-based training events, and allows the hosting of webinars, which are important for enhancing scholarly knowledge for the University's students and other members of the Hornet Nation family.
THE CONFERENCE POSITIVELY IMPACTS ASU
Professor Smith believes that with Abbot and ANA’s support, the conference and collaboration will positively impact the University by enhancing the faculty's insight about cutting-edge marketing trends, by facilitating ASU's participation in research opportunities, and promoting listening sessions with Fortune 500 CEOs and Chief Marketing Officers in executive-style boot camps with ASU family members.
"The training enhances our knowledge, thereby allowing us to update Alabama State curriculum and prepare students more effectively," Smith stated. "This will allow students and others to learn from executives from Abbott, Citi, Meta, and McDonald’s, some of whom are HBCU graduates. They will also see that achieving a 'high hanging' fruit position is possible and hopefully will aspire to work for these companies and be motivated to do the groundwork to get there."
Smith stated that the conference has been in development for some time and is part of an ongoing collaboration that includes reaching across the academic "discipline aisle" for a greater depth of knowledge to be gained by a multifaceted approach.
FACILITATING FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES TO BENEFIT STUDENTS
Byrd expanded on the premise of the event.
"Both Professor Smith and I will continue to keep the lines of communication open to facilitate future opportunities so we may advocate for our students. An event such as this allows students an opportunity to engage in a deeper exploration into the day-to-day function of the corporate marketing, public relations and advertising professions in a manner that extends their learning and professional development beyond the classroom. Programs such as these also open the door to potential career networking engagement with executives."
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration is free and open only for members of the Hornet Nation Family. Alabama State University students, faculty, staff, and all alumni, regardless of when they graduated, are all invited to attend.
To register and access the Oct. 6 event description and agenda, click here and enter the Comp/Promo code “ASU2022."
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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