One of the UK’s – and internationally-acknowledged – marketing experts, Professor Malcolm McDonald, is to deliver the inaugural Rupert Smith Memorial Lecture in October at a fund-raising event hosted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing on behalf of the MPA Educational Trust.
Founded in 1990 by Rupert Smith, the MPA Educational Trust is a registered charity that promotes education in marketing and advertising. The Rupert Smith Memorial Lecture was introduced in memory of Smith who recently died. This inaugural event is planned to be an annual fund-raising event.
McDonald, works with a number of global companies including Hitachi, American Express, SC Johnson and BP. He also chairs six companies, has written over 40 books and is credited with being the first marketing professor in the world to have created an application for the iPhone.
Until 2003, McDonald was professor of marketing and deputy director of Cranfield University school of management, with special responsibility for e-business. He also has senior industrial experience having spent a number of years as marketing and sales director of Canada Dry.
In 2006 he was listed in The Times as one of the UK’s top ten business consultants.
At the event on 22 October, McDonald will be discussing issues relating to shareholder value and proposing that companies that don’t satisfy their customers’ needs are essentially not long for this world. He has also advised that he will be ‘tackling the myth that marketing is in some way unethical’.
“We are delighted that Professor McDonald accepted our invitation to speak in Manchester” said MPA Educational Trust chairman, Ian Tinker. “He is an exceptional speaker and it promises to be a fascinating evening.”
The lecture starts at 6:30pm on 22 October and is being held at MMU Business School in Manchester. Ticket prices begin at £10 and further information can be found by ringing the CIM on 01628 427340 or emailing cimevents@cim.co.uk
