Prof Steve Burgess appointed as Board Member for Academy of Indian Marketing (AIM)

NMMU Business School Director and internationally respected marketing and research authority Professor Steve Burgess has been elected to the Advisory Board of the Academy of Indian Marketing (AIM).  AIM is India’s leading professional marketing organization and provides a global forum for research, education and perspectives on emerging markets. 

The 24-member AIM Advisory Board includes world-renowned scholars such as Professors Philip Kotler, Jagdish Sheth, Naresh Malhotra, Jacqueline Pels and George Day.  Eight members are drawn from industry, including O&M South Asia Executive Chairman Piyush Pandey, Vinita Bali, CEO of Britannia Industries Ltd and WIPRO Chairman Vineet Agrawal.

Commenting on his appointment, Prof Burgess said:

“We have great respect for AIM and I am very honoured to be asked to serve in this capacity.  Our strategy at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School focuses primarily on the context of African and Indian Ocean Rim emerging markets.  We are expanding our collaboration with other researchers working in emerging markets with two goals in mind. 

“First, it is not clear that cherished theories of business apply in emerging markets due to the very different socioeconomic, cultural and regulative contexts.  We need rigorous research to push the envelope of our understanding of business in emerging markets.  Second, and perhaps most importantly, rigorous research can be used to inform cutting-edge teaching, learning and service programmes in line with the University’s 2020 Vision.  We intend to build a world-class business school in Port Elizabeth.  In this vein, we will be announcing several initiatives in coming months.” 

Burgess also serves on the Board of the European Marketing Academy and the Advisory Board of the Chief Marketing Officers Council in the USA.  He is the only AIM board member from an African business school.