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Ph.D. Accomplishments

 Jeff Carlson defended his dissertation, “Exploring the Importance and Value of Studying Subjective Time in Marketing Management.”

Wei Chen defended his dissertation proposal, “The Effect of Regulatory Resource Depletion on Consumer Decision Making.”

Ann Jansson Vredeveld defended her dissertation proposal, “Consumer-Brand Engagement: Cultural and Moral Manifestations” and received the following awards: Ph.D. Program Summer Fellowship, AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium Fellowship, ING Global Ph.D. Fellow, University of Connecticut School of Business Dean’s Pre-doctoral Fellowship, and University of Connecticut Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship.

Selcan Kara received the Marketing Department Ph.D. Student Teaching Award and Ph.D. Program Summer Fellowship.

 Bin Li, Zahra Tohidinia, and Nian Wang received the Ph.D. Program Summer Fellowship.

Shuai Yang defended her dissertation, “Two Essays on Matching Strategy in Paid Search Advertising” and has accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Donghua University (Shanghai) beginning in Fall 2014.


Abstract: An Exploration of the Effect of Language on Processing of Numbers in Alphanumeric Brand Names

SCP Conference, March 2014, Miami FL

Selcan Kara, Co-authors: Kunter Gunasti, Rod Duclos, and Bill Ross

Language structure is an influential factor on numerical cognition. We explore whether consumers’ number processing in ANBs (Alphanumeric brand names) can be related to differences in the language structure of the numeral system they use. For example, some languages, such as Chinese, have very systematized numeral systems; once you know the numbers 1 through 10 you can easily process any other number. Other languages, such as Turkish, require the knowledge of a new word for each tens digit. Some languages, such as English have unstructured wording for numbers below twenty. Certain languages, such as German, use backward wording for a verbal representation. Finally, on the extreme side, some languages have even more complex systems; for example, French has a partial vigesimal (20) system and other irregularities; and they process the number 91 as four twenties and eleven. Thus, the aim of this research is to understand variations in consumer perceptions of ANBs resulting from linguistic differences in numeral systems for five different languages, English, German, French, Turkish, and Chinese. As the results of an international experiment revealed, comparative evaluations of superiority and price expectations between the parent and extended brands were significantly different across languages. These results support the notion that language effects how consumers make brand related judgments based on numbers in ABNs.


Abstract: The Effect of Number versus Letter Cognition on Consumers’ Evaluations of Alphanumeric Brand Names

SCP Conference, March 2014, Miami FL

Selcan Kara, Co-authors: Kunter Gunasti and Bill Ross

Alphanumeric brand names (ANBs) consist of combinations of letters and numbers either in digit or word form (Pavia and Costa 1993), such as Coke Zero and Audi A4. We examine the effects of alpha and numeric components of ANBs on consumer evaluations of product line extensions. In five experiments, we illustrate the influence of disparities between number and letter cognitions in consumer assessments of line extensions introduced by changing alpha or numeric components of existing brands. Findings suggest ascending letters in ANBs lead to more favorable evaluations of line extensions than descending letters in ANBs. Line extensions are evaluated more favorably when a line extension ANB is formed with a change in number (versus letter) for an existing ANB. We also examine dimensions of this superiority perception, and find that increasing numbers in ANBs anchors consumers, who evaluate line extensions as having improved numeric attributes. This numeric anchoring mediates consumers’ favorable evaluations of ANBs with increased numeric components in comparison to ANBs with increased alpha components.

 


Abstract: Protecting the Brand in the Face of Counterfeits: Genuine-Item Consumers’ Anti-Counterfeit Framework

Brands and Brand Relationships Conference, May 2014, Boston, MA

Anna Jansson Vredeveld. Co-authors: Bill Ross, Robin Coulter

This research explores how consumers purposefully and intentionally interact with brands in pursuit of moral identity and consumption legitimacy. In particular, we examine how genuine-item consumers, as differentiated from consumers who purchase or use counterfeits, cope with the identity threat posed by counterfeits. We find that genuine-item consumers actively seek support from other genuine-item consumers of similar brands when counterfeits are perceived as a threat to their identities and/or their brand relationships. In particular, we find that genuine-item consumers collectively frame counterfeit consumption as immoral and prescribe activities for moral brand use to institute moral legitimacy of their luxury brand relationships. Thus, we contribute to extant research on brand relationships by showcasing how brand users collectively imbue their brand practices with moral meanings.


Marketing Awards

Michael Masso, recipient of the Fodor Family Scholarship with Mr. and Mrs. John Fodor.
Michael Masso, recipient of the Fodor Family Scholarship with Mr. and Mrs. John Fodor.

Scholarship Recipients

John Luke Bogue Michael Masso, recipients of the Fodor Family Scholarship. Generously given by John and Sally Fodor to provide financial support to varsity student-athletes pursuing a Minor or Certificate in Professional Sales.

Caitlin Taylor, recipient of the Lander Family Scholarship. Generously given by Mr. and Mrs. Steward Lander to a business student pursuing a Certificate in Professional Sales.

Joshua Lagan, recipient of the Louis J. Barle Memorial Scholarship. Generously given by Mr. Stephen Wood and Ms. Gail Barle to a business student with an excellent academic record and great potential for success.

Katherine Tibedo, recipient of the Jacob M. Duker Award. Generously given by the Duker family to a marketing student for scholarly achievement in the area of advertising and promotion.

Caitlin Taylor, recipient of the Lander Family Scholarship with Mr. and Mrs. Steward Lander
Caitlin Taylor, recipient of the Lander Family Scholarship with Mr. and Mrs. Steward Lander

Dayana Peykova, recipient of the Maynard F. Lydiard Jr. Marketing Scholarship. Generously given by Mrs. Barbara Lydiard to a business student with an excellent academic record and great potential for success.

Tina Kulangara, recipient of the Samuel L. Schrager Business Law Scholarship. Generously given by Attorney Samuel L. Schrager to a student with an excellent academic record and great potential for success as a business law professional.


Honors Scholars

Jaclyn Getonga

Nicole Green

Kimberly Halpin

Jaclyn Williams

 

Outstanding Marketing Scholars

Logan Bement

Erica Chrisis

Paige Gregory

Kimberly Halpin

Joshua Lagan

Benjamin Phillips

Ryan Probst

Morgan Schwenn

Kate Seserman

Stacia Smart

Melissa Smith

Victoria South

Tracey Tassinari

Aileen Tobin

Emily Vasington

 

Certificate in Professional Sales

Miles Anderson

Danielle Bachar

Robert Bunda

Nicole Crimmins

Nicole Elias

Daniel Feijoo

Mary Kelleher

Katherine Lemus

Brenda Nguyen

Brittani Phillips

Jonathan Sadlon

Junlong Sheng

Christopher Teri

Julia Zaslavsky

 

Marketing Society Officers

Lauren Samoska, President

Christain Pelliccio, Vice President

Zach Renihan, Chief Financial Officer

Phillip Guay, Secretary

 

Pi Sigma Epsilon Officers

Scott Margol, Co-President

Brittany Seyfried, Co-President

Rebecca Frutos, Co-Vice President of Administration

Hilary Sunderland, Co-Vice President of Administration

Erica Chrisis, Vice President of Charity

Gabriella Lilienthal, Vice President of Human Resources

Julia Zaslavsky, Vice President of Marketing

Anthony Infurchia, Chief Financial Officer

Kathleen Halligan, Event Coordinator

Shannon Murphy, Project Manager

 

Northeast Collegiate Sales Competition

Jonathan Sadlon and Julia Zaslavsky

 

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