About Me

I have a PhD in marketing from Durham University.  Very broadly, my research there focused on 'marketer behaviour' and I continue to be interested in how marketers accomplish things, whether that includes how they construct and perform their work identities or actually get projects done (and yes those things are definitely related).

My research interests also extend beyond marketers to how people, including customers, members of organizations, and citizens construct their worlds and accomplish social goals. I do this by applying specialized, mainly qualitative, research approaches that focus on: the actions people take, the words they say and write, and the symbolic resources they use to create meaning

in the various worlds in which they participate. This style of research can help flesh out the data produced through surveys and experiments (which I also use from time to time) and lets me look at different kinds of questions, especially of the ‘how’ variety.

Professional Background

I consult on research projects for companies and other organizations about marketing communications, customer targeting, product development and branding. Prior to my current work I served as Director of Database Marketing and as an internal consultant at Glacier Farmmedia, the agricultural communications division of Glacier Media a major Canadian media and information company based in Vancouver. I also worked  on marketing campaigns for other large media companies such as Rogers Communications (Maclean Hunter). In addition to the corporate world I have lectured at Canadian Mennonite University's Redekop School of Business. and worked at other non-profit organizations: SEED Winnipeg and the Minneapolis American Indian Center in a range of roles from teaching business courses to selling advertising. Additionally, I started several companies including Kel Audio (a professional microphone manufacturing company) and The Leaf, a community newspaper serving Winnipeg's Wolseley and West Broadway neighbourhoods.