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1st Brand Camp

February 27th to March 2nd 2011
in Obergurgl in the Austrian Alps
hosted by University of Innsbruck – Brand Research Laboratory

The University of Innsbruck – Brand Research Laboratory invites 35 academic colleagues for its first “Brand Camp” in the Austrian ski resort Obergurgl. The Brand Camp is a 2½ day conference to which participants bring a research report, discussion theme, round table or other inspiring idea from which the audience composes the conference program on the spot according to their current interests (cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BarCamp).

Participants will have the opportunity to share their branding insights, learn of current developments, work with like-minded colleagues and develop ideas and projects together that may shape future branding research. Topics of interest include, for example:

–  new (not yet fully developed) branding concepts

–  personal reflections on current branding issues

–  reports on advanced brand research projects

–  controversial branding ideas

–  state-of-the-art branding reviews

–  thought provoking questions

–  possible future branding research directions

–  extraordinary brand consultancy experiences

–  novel approaches and research methods in branding 

Interested academics submit a one page summary of their idea to share, explore and discuss at the Brand Camp to brand-lab@uibk.ac.at until October 25th 2010. The submission should indicate the intended

• topic,
• format (presentation, panel discussion, roundtable, live experiment, dance, …),
• expected duration of the contribution (15 minutes to max. 1.5 hours), and
• participants’ contact details.

A committee of two Brand Lab researchers and three external members will review the submissions based on their potential to spark interest and inspire brand researchers. A maximum of 35 contributions can be accepted. Out of these contributions, participants will select directly at the Brand Camp their 16 to 20 favored themes that will then become the conference program. The flexible format will also leave space for smaller group meetings and discussions of the other topics.

Obergurgl is a prime destination for winter sports in Austria. The Brand Camp takes place at the Universitätszentrum at an altitude of 1930 meters above sea level, just a few steps away from ski lifts and slopes. The facility provides a unique and inspiring atmosphere for generating fresh ideas, developing new projects and enjoying the mountain scenery. Accommodation including breakfast and dinner costs € 106 per person/night in a single room and € 81 per person/night in a double room. Participation (including all other meals, transport ex Innsbruck and social program) will generously be sponsored by our partner Swarovski.

For further questions do not hesitate to ask Reinhard Grohs (reinhard.grohs@uibk.ac.at) for issues related to the content of the Brand Camp, and Verena Brown (verena.brown@uibk.ac.at) for issues related to organizing your stay. We are looking forward to stimulating branding reflections in the heart of the Austrian Alps!
  

University of Innsbruck – Brand Research Laboratory 

The University of Innsbruck Brand Research Laboratory is an academic research center dedicated to enhancing knowledge about brands. Endowed by D. Swarovski & Co., the laboratory supports academic research and teaching, spreads inspiring ideas, and fosters brand reflections from diverse theoretical and applied perspectives. Located in the Tyrolean Alps, the Brand Lab provides a hub for international conferences, eminent guest professors, visiting scholars and resident researchers interested in exploring the social, cultural, and technical complexities of brands. 

Throughout the academic year, the Brand Research Laboratory welcomes six international researchers as “Swarovski Guest Professors”. These eminent scholars carry inspiring insights from a broad array of fields from biology to religion and management to Innsbruck and discuss their potential implications for branding with students, professors, and practitioners. Swarovski Guest Professors also advance international research with resident scholars and enhance Austria’s leading Master Program in Multi-Cultural Branding with lectures and seminars.

Reinhard Grohs & Marius Lüdicke
University of Innsbruck – Brand Research Laboratory
Universitaetsstrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria