COB Marketing Department Launches Inaugural Executive Advisory Board

Six prestigious South Florida business leaders joined Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business's Marketing Department executive advisory board as the department strives to strengthen its curriculum and competitive edge in the modern business world. 

The inaugural executive advisory board is comprised of six industry experts working in marketing-related roles at companies or in leadership positions such as CMO, founders, and owners with a focus on marketing-related activities. 

The members are: 

• Jon Kaufman, CMO & CMSO of Smile Doctors, Executive Advisory Board Chair                             
• Jamie Allison, Co-founder & CEO of OuchySport LLC, Executive Advisory Board Vice Chair
• Nihat Ahmed, Founder and CEO, Florida Marketing Group and Industry Expert Instructor, Cornell University
• Jonathan Beskin, Founder and CEO, SinglesSwag, best-selling author
• Julie Mullen, Co-founder of The Buzz agency
• Alex Rosen, GoDaddy Venture Forward
• Hong Yuan, Ph.D. Harry T. Mangurian, Professor & Chair, Department of Marketing

"We are pleased to launch the first executive advisory board for our marketing department as we foster the next generation of marketing leaders," said Hong Yuan, Ph.D., chair of FAU's College of Business Department of Marketing. "Not only are our members impressed with the strong curriculum and hands-on experience we offer students, but they have also inspired us as educators with innovative ideas to bring to the classrooms so students can enter the job force with a competitive edge."

The purpose of the executive advisory board is to serve as an advisor to ensure that the department's curriculum and offerings to students allow them to enter the job market already having the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. It assists with identifying opportunities to engage marketing students through mentorships or internships and advising on present and proposed programs, course content, professional development, and career readiness.

 According to Yuan, the first meeting took place on Jan. 14, complete with brainstorming and idea-generating sessions.

Currently, the marketing department is off to a strong start with two new classes on social media influencers and artificial intelligence in marketing, a sign of the department's strength in staying ahead of current trends and technological developments. 

“Blending the rigor of academia with the practical demands of modern business is essential to developing the next generation of marketing leaders. I’m honored to work alongside such distinguished educators and business professionals to help shape a curriculum that meets the real-world needs of today’s fast-moving marketplace,” Kaufman said. “This executive advisory board represents a forward-thinking collaboration between industry and education—one that is rich with innovation and designed to keep FAU’s marketing students ahead of the curve.”

-FAU-