Last summer, during a pandemic, The CMO Club and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA Pittsburgh) launched the VPP.  Similar to a college internship, the VPP invites marketing professors from the tri-state region into Pittsburgh agencies, marketing departments, and marketing organizations for a mutually beneficial experience during the summer.

Professors found value in the VPP, commenting that it “was great to learn in real-time about real-world problems relating to supply chain, eCommerce, and B2B” and that the VPP experience provided “an opportunity to learn about things I could use in my classroom” and “forged relationships that I believe can help students when networking.”

Participating companies found value as well. A theme shared after working with the selected VPP professor “intern” was that company leaders were able to see their organization “through someone else’s eyes…” and that the workshops and presentations led by the professors were “relevant” and “valuable.”

The attached information provides details regarding the timeline, goals, benefits, and expectations. Please review this carefully, as well as the program expectations, which outline your company’s commitment to participation.

Please join us for AMA Pittsburgh’s Summer 2021 Visiting Professor Program by applying for one of the opportunities to potentially be selected to “visit” a local marketing department, agency, or organization to virtually (or in person if safe/regulations allow) become a Visiting Professor!

To be considered, please complete the application found at this link https://sru.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3NK2a9p3zjOhiSO by the end of day FRIDAY, April 23. The information you provide will facilitate the matching process and help companies identify professors best suited to their company and needs resulting in a mutually beneficial experience. Your application information will be available to participating companies to review. These companies will then rank their top three applicants. Last year, all participating organizations were matched with a professor from their top three!

If you have questions, please contact us directly, or contact AMA Pittsburgh at marketer.pitt@gmail.com or Nan Nicholls listed below. We look forward to a successful and meaningful experience for your organization! (Please feel free to share this invitation with your marketing colleagues.)

Sincerely,

Nan Nicholls*
Professor, Marketing
Slippery Rock University
jeananne.nicholls@sru.edu

Cindy Donohoe**
EVP and CMO
Highmark Health  

Sean Smith**
CMO
Schneider Downs 

*Board Member, VP Collegiate, AMA Pittsburgh Chapter

**Member, The CMO Club Pittsburgh Chapter