Ex-Publicis CEO Andrew Baxter joins University of Sydney as an adjunct professor of marketing

The teaching of marketing related subjects at a tertiary level could become irrelevant unless Australian Universities engage with the sector as it goes through a period of rapid technology driven change, according to leading marketing industry expert Andrew Baxter.

Baxter, who headed the communications agencies Ogilvy and Publicis here in Australia, made the observation after being appointed as an adjunct Professor of Marketing by the University of Sydney Business School.

Says Baxter: “Marketing has changed enormously over the past 10 years and now more than ever, universities need to understand industry best practice in order to remain relevant. Students need to learn the latest techniques from the sector itself.”

In his new role, Professor Baxter, will work to establish a dialogue between the Business School and the multi-billion dollar marketing industry.

Says Professor Vince Mitchell, head of the Business School’s marketing discipline: “Technology has transformed the industry in recent years with a shift in focus away from traditional media and towards highly targeted digital platforms.

“It is essential that we engage the best talent available if our students are to be job ready when they graduate and join the workforce.”

During his career, Baxter has advised some of Australia’s largest companies and worked across brands in the retail, packaged goods, sports and entertainment, automotive, banking and finance, gaming, tourism and travel, fast food, oil and mining, fashion, health, education and government sectors.

He is internationally recognized for his experience in branding, marketing and digital transformation, data, communications and customer experience.

Baxter is currently a senior advisor to KPMG’s entrepreneurial Customer, Brand and Marketing Advisory business, a non-executive director of Australian Pork and a regular columnist for The Australian newspaper.

In the not-for-profit sector, he has held significant board and chair roles at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the NBL, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, The Song Room, and Deakin Business School.

While engaging industry for the benefit of students, Professor Mitchell also believes that Professor Baxter will be able to lift the profile of the Business School and encourage the marketing sector to take greater advantage of the School’s research capabilities.

Says Mitchell: “Industry has been successfully utilizing the University’s significant research capabilities in the likes of medicine and science for many years, but the Business School’s research skills haven’t been tapped into at the same level by the marketing industry.

“This appointment will help us to future proof out students by blending the very best of what the industry and academia have to offer. Our aim is to give our students the best possible chance of capitalizing on an ever-changing world.”