Whitman School hosts brand management summit Nov. 6-7

Whitman School hosts brand management summit Nov. 6-7October 22, 2007Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University is hosting a Brand Management Summit on Nov. 6-7. The two day event, organized by the Whitman Department of Marketing, will include panel discussions and addresses by leaders in the brand management and marketing industries.

Nov. 6 features “The Zen of Branding,” a guest lecture by Adrienne Weiss ’71 BFA (VPA), founder of Adrienne Weiss Corp. Weiss will speak at 6 p.m. in Lender Auditorium in the Whitman School building. Weiss founded Adrienne Weiss Corp. in 1986. The company develops food and beverage concepts in addition to branding for sports stadiums, retail concepts, convenience stores, real estate developments, consumer products and entertainment concepts. Her clients include Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Target, Arby’s, Popeye’s, Disney, Baskin Robbins, Wal-Mart, Sears and Dunkin’ Donuts.

On Nov. 7, a panel discussion titled “What is Brand Management Anyway?” spotlights Alan Verdun, executive vice president of News America Marketing; Scott Davis, chief concept officer and senior vice president of Panera Bread; and Michael Burkeen, director of marketing capabilities for ConAgra Food. The panel discussion, moderated by Eunkyu Lee, associate professor of marketing, will take place at 9:15 a.m. in Room 402.

The final event on Nov. 7 will be a keynote address by Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s Inc. The address, titled “Building the Macy’s Brand,” will take place at 2 p.m. in Lender Auditorium; a reception will follow in Flaum Grand Hall. Lundgren assumed the titles of chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s Inc. in January 2004. Previously, he served as president and chief operating officer, a title he assumed in March 2003 after having served as president and chief merchandising officer since May 1997. Macy’s Inc. is the parent company of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

“The speakers and panelists joining us for the Whitman Brand Management Summit are the best in the business,” says Melvin T. Stith, dean of the Whitman School. “It is evident that they are the leaders in brand management because we see their work and innovations in our everyday lives. All our guests demonstrate the profitability and influence that great brand management has on the business world, and we are privileged and delighted that they are giving the Syracuse University community the benefit of their knowledge and experience.”

The event is free and open to SU students, faculty, and staff. Seating is limited. For more information, contact Monica McFall at (315) 443-4635 or mnatale@syr.edu.