Spring 2021
Welcome Letter from the Center
Hello CBPM Alumni, Advisory Board Members, Friends, and Students,
It’s been quite a year. First, I want to call out how proud we are of our students for embracing and succeeding during a year where many rarely saw the inside of Grainger and some first years didn’t even live in Madison! While many things looked different this year, the core of what we do remained, including many parts that you, our alumni, board members, and friends, are a part of; including mentoring, lunch & learns, mock interviews, board meetings and networking opportunities. You can read more about what our students have been up to in the rest of the newsletter. We’ve got a great bunch and we hope you enjoy hearing from them.
As you know, we are excited to be offering new curriculum in the marketing MBA program starting with the class of 2024. There will be three marketing specializations to choose from including brand & marketing management, marketing analytics & insights, and a new specialization, tech product marketing. These offerings are in response to industry trends and prospective student interest and will allow our students more flexibility, while retaining the well-known depth of education we provide. In addition, we are looking forward to using the strengths of the CBPM and A.C. Nielsen Center to create a new combined marketing center that will support all three specializations.
While there are many changes, improvements, and updates coming to the Centers and the program, our dedication to the students, our specialization model, and supporting our alumni throughout their careers remains unwavering. When asked what makes our program special it’s the strength and support of our networks, alumni, board, and industry friends, that always stands out. We could not do what we do without you.
Thank you for your continued support and On, Wisconsin!
Page, Mike, Sarah & Christine.
Student Articles
Building Badger Connections
By: Connie Cannizzaro

“It’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Everyone has heard this term about why you need to create a network of people who can push you ahead. Although understanding the industry and having the foundation to perform well at your job are important, knowing the right people will help get you there. At the WSB, there is a vast network of both graduate and undergraduate business badger alumni that want to lead you to success. There are a few reasons why you should build a network with individuals who want to see you succeed.
How to Build Your Personal Brand
By: Joseline Nyinawabera

Marty Neumeier, author and speaker on all things branding, defines a brand by first laying out what a brand is not; “A brand is not a logo. A brand is not an identity. A brand is not a product … a brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service, or organization.” A brand is a story that people tell about you when you are not in the room. What do you want people to say about you when you aren’t in the boardroom?
MBA In Review
By: Brock Mallek

In reflecting on the past two years of my MBA experience, I am met with a flood of stories, memories, and key learnings. As I sit down to write this, I feel compelled to channel an expert communicator and one of my favorite leaders—Winston Churchill. During Churchill’s time as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, he led a nation through adversity using powerful communication skills. I hope to leverage some of Churchill’s words to help me tell the story of my MBA journey as I navigated learning, friendships, and adversity.
Find these and other articles in The Marketing Minute, the CBPM’s Blog Site.
Course Spotlight: Marketing Management with Jan Heide
By: Liana Richardson

As my first year of the MBA program comes to a close, I finally have the time to reflect on all that I’ve learned this year. The experience has been challenging and at times uncomfortable, but ultimately transformative. We all come to the Wisconsin School of Business from vastly different backgrounds, but with a common goal; To soak up knowledge from the best professors and alumni in the country (I might be biased), and to grow as leaders. As I head into my internship with Procter & Gamble, I feel prepared with an arsenal of knowledge from classes and an eagerness to learn. Read the rest of the article.
Get Involved
There are many ways for CBPM Alumni and Friends to get involved with the center and help our students. Host a virtual Alumni Lunch & Learn, impart your wisdom in an Applied Learning class, hire our students for internships or full time positions, and many more opportunities. Reach out to the CBPM staff to participate.
Donate
Please consider funding the next generation of Brand and Product Management students by donating to the Center for Brand and Product Management.
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