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Laura J. Blake
EDUCATION
Doctoral Candidate Dissertation Defense, 2014
Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration,
Pace University, Lubin School of Business
Management & Marketing
Master of Science in Management May 2003
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lally School of Management
Management and Technology, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Business Administration May 1987
Pace University, Lubin School of Business
Marketing
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor Fall 2013 - present
Assumption College, Business Studies
Graduate Research Assistant Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
Pace University, Marketing Department, Lubin School
Associate Professor Fall 2005 – Spring 2013
Mitchell College, Department of Business Administration
Promoted from Assistant Professor, 9/2010
Appointed Chair, three year term, 9/2008 – 9/2011
Lecturer Fall 2010 –Spring 2011
Assumption College, Business Studies
Adjunct Faculty
Mitchell College, Department of Business Administration Fall 2002 - Spring 2005
RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST
Strategy, Innovation, New Ventures, Corporate Social Responsibility
TEACHING AREAS OF INTEREST
Courses taught, 100 – 400 levels:
Strategy & Leadership; Management and Organizations; Consumer Behavior, Marketing Management, Public Relations Interpersonal Skills for Leadership; Digital Marketing, Small Business Research Methods.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, PROCEEDINGS & SEMINARS
Blake, L. J. (2014). Starbucks as Late Mover? The Strategy Behind Starbucks’ Entry in India. NEDSI
Northeast Decision Sciences Institute Conference Proceedings, Philadelphia, PA, March 27 – 29, 2014. Blake, L (2013) Can Social Commentary Capture Large Scale Economic Trends? Eastern Academy of
Management Annual Conference, Abstract and Roundtable Discussion, May 8-10, Baltimore, MD.
Berger, K. and Blake, L. (2013) Gerber and Food Safety: Arsenic and (Old) Rice. Society for Case
Research Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, Chicago, IL, February 27 – March 1, 2013.
Berger, K. and Blake, L. (2012) Starbucks in India: Indomitable Competitor or Underdog? Society for
Case Research Conference Proceedings and Summer Workshop, Chicago, IL July 17 – 19, 2012.
Blake, L. and Berger, K. (2012) Amazon’s Kindle Fire Stakes Out an Important Market Position.
Society for Case Research Conference Proceedings, Chicago, IL. March 24, 2012.
Blake, L. (2010) Do Excessive IPO’s and ‘Irrational Exuberance’ Drive or Hinder New Innovation?
Conference Proceedings, Eastern Academy of Management, Abstract and Roundtable Discussion,
May 14, Boston, MA.
Blake, L. (2009) Examining Hybrid Dominant Designs Within the Cycle of Technological Change.
Eastern Academy of Management Annual Conference, Abstract and Roundtable Discussion. May
15-19, Hartford, CT.
Blake, L. and Mayne, K. (2008) Segmentation Strategies for Improved Enrollment and Retention Levels
– A Case Study in Higher Ed Marketing, Intellectbase International Consortium peer-reviewed conference
proceedings, Volume 2, Nashville, TN, USA, May 28-30, 2008.
Blake, L. and English, E. (2008) “Impact of Cruise Ship Passengers on Local Merchants,” research
presentation contracted by the Office of City Manager, New London, CT, March, 2008.
Blake, L. (2008) “Viral Marketing, The New Spin on a Tried and True Technique” Session speaker for
Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Winning with the Web seminar, February 21, 2008.
Blake, L. & Mayne, K. (2006) Improving Enrollment and Retention Levels Via Niche Marketing
Strategies, Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, American Marketing Association, New
Orleans, LA, November, 2006.
PUBLICATIONS
Blake, L. with Rahman, N., CSR as Competitive Advantage. The role of CSR’s differentiating- neutralizing effects on firm reputation. Dissertation defense expected December, 2014.
Blake, L. , Does Imitative Behavior in New Venture Investment Deter Real Innovation? Working Paper.
Berger, Karen A. and Blake, Laura J. (2013). Gerber and Food Safety. Arsenic and (Old) Rice.
Society for Case Research Journal of Critical Incidents. Volume 6, ISSN 1943-1872 pp. 123-126.
Blake, Laura J. and Berger, Karen A. (2013). Amazon's Kindle Fire Claims an Important Market
Position. Journal of Case Studies, Vol. 31 Fall., 2013.
Blake, L. and Mayne, K. (2008) Segmentation Strategies for Improved Enrollment and Retention Levels
– A Case Study in Higher Ed Marketing, Review of Management Innovation & Creativity, Vol. 1, Iss. 1.
Blake, L. and Mayne, K. (2008) Segmentation Strategies for Improved Enrollment and Retention Levels
– A Case Study in Higher Ed Marketing, International Handbook of Academic Research and Teaching,
ISBN: 978-0-9800418-5-9, pp. 92-99.
(General-interest)
Blake, Laura J., “One Woman’s Story…a divorce tale.” Newsday, pp. 14-15, 1/18/2000.
Blake, Laura, “Simplify the holidays. Start by taking aim at rampant commercialism” The Day, Vol. 119, pp. 11-
12, 12/5/99.
COLLEGE COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION/CONTRIBUTIONS
Curriculum Committee – Fall 2011 - 2013
Faculty Senate Promotions Committee – Fall 2010 - 2013
Chair, Faculty Strategic Planning Task Force – June 2010 – June 2011
Chair, Faculty Senate Promotions Committee – Fall 2006 – Spring 2009
Freshman College Marketing Development committee – 2009
Chair, Athletic Division Re-Branding and Mascot Committee – Spring 2007 – Fall 2008
College Budget Advisory Committee – Fall 2005 – Fall 2007
College Advisory Committee – Fall 2005
College Best Practices Committee – Fall, 2004 - 2005
Developed concentrations in:
Accelerated Degree Completion program – 2012
Individualized – Fall 2010; co-developed
Marketing – Fall 2009
Managerial Communications -- Spring 2005
CONSULTING & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Consulting (1995 – 2003)
· Sonalyst Consulting – Business Communications & Web Design – contributed to the development of content and assurance of strategic and marketing continuity for launch of XL Capital Insurance website.
· Bellcore Communications – Advised executive management on tactical and ROI advantages of direct mail versus national advertising programs to meet divisional objectives.
· Canon U.S.A. - Formulated Canon’s strategic re-engineering of its Digital Imaging Systems communications strategy. Analyzed proprietary research findings and authored presentation of multi-wave corporate tracking study to Divisional General Managers at Canon annual sales meetings.
· Della Femina, Jeary & Rothschild - Recommended repositioning tactics in the wake of managerial and organizational changes.
· Hill Holliday/Altschiller - Advised business development team on Minolta new business pitch to win the $30 million account.
· Que-Sited Knowledge Design – advised on website design and primary customer segment identification.
· Jordan, McGrath Case & Partners, (currently Arnold Worldwide, NY) – researched prospect identification for new account acquisitions in technology market.
Jordan, McGrath, Case & Partners, (currently Arnold Worldwide) New York, NY (1990-1993)
Vice President & Account Supervisor, Client Services Division
Client: Okidata
· Directed development and execution of communications plans consistent with tactical division and corporate marketing initiatives in support of Okidata’s overall business strategy.- Led the Okidata account as billings and revenue doubled over two years while ensuring continuity between corporate and divisional communication messaging standards. Applied consumer-marketing techniques to the B-to-B segment for the mainstream distribution of computer peripherals. Defined enterprise-wide communication objectives and strategies to appropriate agency functions including research, media and creative with the ultimate goal of ensuring consistent implementation.
· Initiated new business development in the technology sector- Leveraged the agency’s equity in packaged goods marketing to apply to the technology and business-to-business sectors for account acquisitions including MCI and Juno Internet Services.
· Key Accomplishments- Devised lead generation ad programs resulting in significant growth in brand performance: product sales increase of 325% in first 6 months of new ad campaign catapulting Okidata into the #2 market share position (1991) behind Hewlett Packard within the PC printer category; Ad response increase of over 300% versus previous levels within the first 6 weeks of campaign launch; Brand awareness increase from 23% (pre-launch) to 35% (post). Recommended vertical market segmentation strategy for impact printer line resulting in sustained revenue within declining market. Support of corporate revenue increase from $300MM to over $400MM within 2 years.
Dentsu Corporation, New York, NY (1988 –1990)
Clients: Canon U.S.A Inc., Consumer and Business Divisions
· Led development and execution of marketing communications- Devised results-driven programs for national/regional TV and print advertising, new product announcements, sales training, media and PR events from development through implementation.
· Supervised bi-cultural management teams – Responsible for overseeing work teams, clarifying roles, establishing metrics, appraising performance and establishing systems and schedules to communicate and track progress of projects with all stakeholders and pertinent parties.
RDA International, New York, (1984 – 1987)
Clients: NEC Laptop Computers and Peripherals, Denon Audio Products, Kyocera/Yashica Camera, GTE and Harvey Electronics.
· Directly responsible for budget control, media negotiations, project trafficking, print production and billing.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Quesited Market Analysis, LLC – advisory member
Board of Directors, Stonington Community Center, CT, 2005-2008
Strategic Planning Committee
Human Resources Advisory Committee
Thrift Shop Marketing Committee
Co-Chair, Mystic Community Center Preschool PTA, 1996-1999
PRO BONO CONSULTING
Outreach to local business and nonprofits to consult and strategically advise start-up entrepreneurial ventures in retail, home accessories, architectural design services, ESL, restaurant/hospitality and non-profit sectors. Build into course curriculum for student experiential learning where applicable.
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