I've seen a number of prospective MBAs commenting online with questions about brand management. I was in your shoes a year ago -- considering a range of schools on both Coasts -- but then I found a real 'diamond in the rough' in the Midwest at Wisconsin.

A few years ago, the school launched the nation's first dedicated Brand Management MBA program with backing from heavyweights such as P&G, J&J, Intuit, SC Johnson, Kraft, ConAgra, Abbott, Kimberly-Clark, Microsoft, General-Mills, etc. -- all who are on our board (http://www.bus.wisc.edu/centerforproductmanagement/board/profiles.aspx).

The program is amazing when you consider the networking and professional connections that students have from day one. For example, nearly every Friday, we have a marketing or brand management exec from a major Fortune 500 company come in to do an 'off the cuff' chat on key business challenges (s)he is facing.

And the Brand Management Program at Wisconsin is a small/very-focused program that only has about 20 students per year -- meaning that the attention that you get from major CPGs, retailers and other companies is significant. So are the offers -- often averaging several per student. I'm a first year, and already I have classmates going to intern at amazing companies such as P&G, Nestle and Nike. (I'm going to Target Corp this summer, BTW.)

Frankly, I wasn't sure how to assess the program at first. In many ways, an MBA is an MBA -- i.e., the curriculum is similar at most schools (the dirtly little secret no one tells you). The real question -- in assessing an MBA -- is how much time and attention are you going to get on the topics and companies that matter to YOU. Or, put differently, how good of a fit is the program for you?

If you are interested in brand management -- or, rather, if you are really PASSIONATE about brand management and are certain that's what you want to be doing -- there is nowhere that you will get greater access and insight into real industry issues than at Wisconsin in the Center for Brand and product Management (http://www.bus.wisc.edu/centerforproductmanagement/about/overview.aspx).

For me, I had already had quite a career as a marketing exec -- most recently leading marketing for a ~75 person company in the technology/B2B world. I found Wisconsin CBPM to be the perfect place to really advance my game in brand management and to make the RIGHT transition into the consumer goods world.

That's my two cents as someone who has been there and who has found an amazing program that I believe will really make a difference in my career. (If it sounds like I'm passionate about my choice ... I am!)

My question/challenge to others would be to comment on other programs you think are strong in brand management or that have a focused program.

Thoughts/additions?

Hi aneedles,

Thanks for the say on Wisconsin! I have been very passionate and interested in brand and product management. But I really didn't know that such a dedicated course existed! Amazing! I am an engineering graduate from India (2009). I would like to have more information on the program, and on the admission details, and I was hoping you could provide me with some guidance on the same. It would be great to have contact with a student from the school. Looking forward to your response.

Regards
Arun Raj

Needles is probably gone, Raj. Try contacting the school directly, though. I bet they can probably set up a chat with a current student. Certainly, they'll give you all the info you want.

Thanks a lot for that!
Regards
Raj

Hi
I'm a 2009 ENGG graduate with 1year exp in the IT industry and about 6-9 months experience in Event Mangement. Would I be eligible for the Brand Management course in UW?