It is certainly still too early for "lifetime achievement awards". Nevertheless, we are pleased to congratulate Prof Werner Reinartz, Ph.D. on receiving the Vijay Mahajan Award for Career Contributions to Marketing Strategy. Since 2000, the American Marketing Association (AMA) has honoured academics with the Vijay Mahajan Award "in recognition of their contributions to the marketing strategy literature over a period of ten or more years".
With Werner Reinartz, holder of the Chair of Retail and Customer Management at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, the AMA honours a scientist who has distinguished himself with outstanding research work, for example on questions of how companies can flourish in mature markets or on the skilful management of long-term customer relationships.
Professor Reinartz's commitment to the IFH KÖLN (Institute for Retail Research), an affiliated institute of the WiSo Faculty, which uses sound market research to continuously transfer knowledge about trends, customer behaviour and competitive developments to the retail industry and supports managers in the development, implementation and monitoring of sales and retail concepts, is proof of his constant concern for substantial and meaningful research that is rooted in practice and has an impact on practice.
At the end of September, the University of Cologne's University Election Assembly almost logically elected Prof Reinartz as Vice-Rector for Transfer to Society. In this newly created position, the WiSo marketing expert will develop a university-wide strategy for research transfer.
The presentation of the Vijay Mahajan Award therefore not least reinforces the selection of the University of Cologne. As does the statement from the AMA selection committee: "We warmly congratulate Professor Reinartz on this well-deserved award. His commitment, innovation and lasting impact on the field have truly set him apart." The award ceremony will take place during the Marketing Strategy SIG Reception at the AMA Winter Conference 2024.
The AMA is the world's largest professional organisation for marketing. It discusses and shapes best practices in the marketing world and also provides differentiated content that focuses on the tension between best versus next practices. The organisation provides a space for ongoing dialogue between marketing professionals to network and succeed together.
Congratulations Prof. Reinartz!