Membership

Background/Overview

Launched in October 1997, the Center for Customer Insight (CCI) was a groundbreaking collaborative effort between the McCombs School of Business and a group of companies that were interested in providing a forum for both students and business executives to master the latest tools, techniques and ideas for building profitable customer relationships. With corporate support CCI was an innovative collaboration that provided both businesses and students cutting-edge knowledge about the changing needs of customers in the global information age.

In 2007, with constituent support, the Center for Customer Insight re-launched as the Center for Customer Insight & Marketing Solutions (CCIMS) aligning itself directly with the Department of Marketing. The Center enables interaction between marketing faculty, students, and industry to enhance research opportunities, academic growth, real world problem solving, and student career opportunities. To create a leading center for the Department of Marketing, we are consulting with numerous companies to participate with CCIMS to drive the agenda and assist us with meeting the objectives of the Department by way of CCIMS.

Our affiliated faculty supports the opportunity to research relevant industry customer insight opportunities in conjunction with our member companies. These findings can easily be integrated into course materials to create cutting edge curriculum by way of teachings for existing courses as well as the creation of relevant courses. Currently on the agenda: The Customer Insight Course, The Customer Strategy Course and a Sustainability Course. The result is that our students are well prepared to meet real-world industry needs.

CCIMS provides three levels of corporate engagement, each offering a variety of benefits and opportunities (see level and benefit chart attached). Member companies at the Executive Level include: Accenture, AT&T, Dell, Frito-Lay, GE and Wal-Mart. Member companies at the Advisory Level include: Miller Brewing and Philip Morris USA. We are currently soliciting for the Advisory and Associate Levels of membership.

We invite you to join the Center for Customer Insight & Marketing Solutions. The Advisory Level Sponsor is an annual contribution of $15,000 and the Associate Level is $5,000 annually. We request a three year commitment to ensure funding will support ongoing curriculum development and enhancements to our innovative Center, and to allow relationships time to thrive and expand.

Sponsorship Benefits

Executive	Advisory	Associate
			Member of CCIMS Executive Board (Drives Center focus areas and activities. Faculty & students also participate on Board)
			Assist in determining faculty research projects to be funded
			Membership on Marketing Department Advisory Board (inputs to curriculum and Marketing Department direction)
			Participation in Current MBA Customer Strategy Course (fall)
			Participation in New MBA Sustainability/Corporate Social Responsibility Course (spring)
			Invitation to one Executive Council recruiting event each year
			Invitation to submit two practicums each year
			Invitation to submit one practicum each year (first priority to Executive level)
			Invitation to two events with faculty each year
			Participation in the “Marketing Challenge” at the “Gold Level”
			Participation in the “Marketing Challenge” at the “Silver Level”
			Recognition in CCIMS/Marketing Department communications
			Free registration to all CCIMS events
			Access to student resumes
			Receipt of CCIMS newsletter
			Opportunity to submit articles for inclusion in newsletter

One of the most valuable benefits will be access to students. The McCombs School is highly selective and has an outstanding group of undergraduate and graduate students. Moreover, the faculty at the McCombs School has a developed graduate and undergraduate curriculum focused in the area of Customer Insight. This curriculum will continue to develop with the help of our corporate partners, with the specific objective of providing the types of skills that firms such as yours desire in new hires. Your membership will also enable you to participate in a variety of student led projects and programs. One of these is the highly regarded “Marketing Challenge,” developed and led by students in The Graduate Marketing Network.

Conclusion

The McCombs School welcomes you as a member of the Center for Customer Insight & Marketing Solutions. Input and expertise from your company representatives will further shape our program. For More Information: http://cci.mccombs.utexas.edu

Thank you again for your interest and support of the McCombs School’s Center for Customer Insight & Marketing Solutions.