OSU conference to focus on marketing and branding in a turbulent economy

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

(March 24, 2009   Stillwater, OK) – A conference at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on March 24 will teach participants how to market their brand and stand out from the crowd within a turbulent economy. The Oklahoma State University Creative Branding and Marketing Conference will be held from 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and will be presented by the OSU Department of Marketing and the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development in the Spears School of Business.  

“Branding always has been important,” said Tom Brown, Ardmore Professor of Business Administration and professor of marketing at OSU. “In challenging times, it’s more important than ever to understand the true value of branding companies, products and services.”

Creative Branding and Marketing Conference attendees will learn the importance of branding and creating a memorable image, which consumers will positively recognize and associate with a product or service.
 
The conference will feature nationally and locally renowned speakers, including: Stan Clark, owner of Stan Clark Companies; Tiffany Sewell-Howard, CEO of Ditch Witch; representatives from Ackerman McQueen, the advertising agency that worked on branding for the Oklahoma City Thunder; Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City; and a representative from Chesapeake Energy Corp. The conference also will feature speakers from the national spotlight such as: Susan Packard, cofounder of HGTV; John Deighton, Harvard Business School professor; Vance Overbey, executive director of marketing management at AT&T in Atlanta; and Michelle Thomas, brand marketing manager of Zappos.

“We’ve put together a great group of speakers and programs for this year’s Creative Branding and Marketing Conference,” said Gaye Trivitt, CEPD program manager. “The quality of experience and knowledge within this group is immeasurable.”

This conference is underwritten by Kimray, Inc., Ditch Witch, Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development within the Spears School of Business. It also is presented by the OSU Department of Marketing and is sponsored by KOSU 91.7 and the OSU Athletic Department and held in cooperation with the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Marketing Association.

More than 175 participants have already registered for this conference. To register or for more information, call the Oklahoma State University Center for Executive and Professional Development at 405-744-5208 or visit cepd.okstate.edu.