Major conference on brands at School of Management aims to show-off Bradford to international audience

Academics from across the world will descend on Bradford for the 11th Global Brand Conference on Wednesday, April 27 to Friday, April 29

The theme for this year's conference is Brands that do Good and organiser, Professor of Marketing at the School of Management, Stuart Roper, is also hoping to use the event to help raise the profile of Bradford to the international visitors.

Conference delegates will investigate opportunities for brands to avoid negative publicity, criticism and a sceptical public by demonstrating their wider contribution to society.

The conference is being held in conjunction with the Academy of Marketing’s Special Interest Group (SIG) in Brand, Identity and Corporate Reputation.

Prof Roper, pictured, said: “This is a major conference that brings delegates from five continents, across the world to Bradford. It’s a prestigious event for Bradford School of Management to be hosting.

“Among the topics the conference will address are Branding and Reputation, Contemporary Academic Thoughts on Brand Management, and Corporate Reputation.”

As well as respected academics leading events at the conference, keynote speakers will be global sustainability manager for Unilever, Laura Gherasim, and author of Brands with a Conscience, Nicholas Ind.

‌The Journal of Brand Management is associated with the conference.

Prof Roper says he also wants to use the conference to promote Bradford to the conference delegates from across the world.

At the end of the first day of events there will be a reception with the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Lister Park.

The following evening, Thursday, delegates will get to put to the test Bradford’s accolade of five-time consecutive year winner of Curry Capital of Britain when they have dinner at My Lahore restaurant.

On the final day, as the conference draws to a close, there will be a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire, pictured below.

Prof Roper said: “I want to help alter people’s preconceptions of Bradford and help the Bradford brand. At last year’s Global Brand Conference in Finland I showed people pictures of our Emm Lane campus and they couldn’t believe it was Bradford.

“I want to show people from across the world how important Bradford was in the architecture of the Industrial Revolution, and also show what Bradford has to offer now, such as great food, culture and media.”

Prof Roper’s research specialisms are branding and corporate reputation. He has developed and published work specifically on two main areas of research - brands and litter and branding's effect on the self-esteem of children.

Prior to entering academic life, Prof Roper spent 10 years as a marketing manager in the telecommunications sector. He has also worked with many diverse organisations, such as major retailers Sainsbury's, Tesco, B&Q, Argos and Homebase; manufacturers such as Chiesi Pharmaceuticals, Rolls Royce, Sonae, B. Braun Medical Ltd; business-to-business service companies like Mansell Construction and Securicor, as well as financial services group Abbey National Financial Services.

His work has also encompassed the not-for-profit sector including the NHS, National Institute for Marketing for Nigeria, the Retail Enterprise Network, Keep Britain Tidy and Keep Australia Beautiful.

Prof Roper has appeared in media in the UK and around the world discussing contemporary issues in branding, marketing and issues of corporate reputation. Examples include BBC TV and Radio, TVNZ, the Sunday Times, the Guardian, Marketing Magazine, and on news related websites around the world.

There will be the opportunity for attendees to stay overnight on campus in one of 42 boutique-style en-suite rooms at .

Book your place on the 11th Global Brand Conference – Brands that do Good.