Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications Announces Call for Abstracts; Northwestern University Student-Managed Annual Publication Launches Author Search for 2007 Edition

Business Wire, March 20, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- For more than 16 years, the Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications (JIMC) has been highlighting best practices in marketing communications and presenting thought-provoking articles from leading academics and practitioners. This spring, the JIMC staff invites industry professionals and academics to share their knowledge and contribute to the IMC profession by submitting an abstract for consideration in the 2007 edition.

The JIMC is a completely student-managed and directed project produced by Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) graduate students at the Medill School at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Each year, a staff of approximately 20 students publishes one issue of this academic journal that contains articles, case studies and academic research on topics relevant to the IMC community.

Call for Abstracts

Abstract submissions will be evaluated based on four main considerations including: potential impact on marketing communications practices or an individual industry; identification of an emerging trend; ability to provoke thought and discussion; and timeliness and relevancy to professional and/or academic community.

To assist in developing an article concept, the JIMC staff suggests potential authors review the following topics of interest:

--Industry IMC trends (IMC in action)

--International perspectives on IMC

--Agency/client point/counterpoint

--IMC and crisis management, acquisitions and mergers

--Emerging media and message delivery technology

--ROI measurement practices and quantification of success measures

--Customer-centric planning, segmenting and aggregation

Abstract Submission Process and Deadline

All abstracts are due by Monday, April 17, 2006 and will be chosen through a blind review by a national board of advisors. When drafting an abstract, authors must present a concise overview of the article's main points in 250 to 500 words and discuss any new research findings and/or methodologies used to arrive at the conclusion. All abstracts must be double-spaced on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper and authors are required to include a separate introduction page including the contributor's name, title, organization/school affiliation, address, telephone number and e-mail address.

Abstracts may be submitted via e-mail with "2007 Abstract" in the subject line to jimc@northwestern.edu. Abstracts may also be submitted by mail (postmarked by April 3, 2006) to: Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications, Attn: Editor-in-Chief - 2007 Abstract, 1870 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-2175.

The JIMC staff will notify contributors about whether or not their abstract has been chosen on or before May 31, 2006. Selected authors will receive guidelines and editorial support for developing their full articles and final articles (approximately 3,000 words) will be due in July 2006.

Bridging IMC Theory and Practice

IMC is the integrated management of all communications to build positive and lasting relationships with customers and other stakeholders. It is a customer-centric, data-driven approach to marketing and branding that stresses communicating to consumers through multiple forms of media and technology.

Ranging from customer relationship management to integrated product launches, the JIMC provides insight into countless IMC practices. Article topics from the latest JIMC (2006) include:

--Employee Blogging: Turning a Potential Liability into Your Best Weapon

--The Reality of ROI: Dell's Approach to Measurement

--The Athens 2004 Olympic Games: An Event Study

Become a Subscriber

The JIMC is currently distributed to more than 2,500 members of the IMC community worldwide. For additional information on the JIMC and the 2007 abstract process, or to request a copy of the latest JIMC, visit http://jimc.medill.northwestern.edu.