Local Business CEO & Author Bob Hutchins to Teach Spring 2012 Course

Nashville, Tenn.—For the last twenty-five years, the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business at Belmont University has been an avenue for practicing professionals to develop the tools and strategies necessary to advance to the next levels in their chosen careers. Acquiring an advanced business degree through coursework that is practical, ethical, and entrepreneurial has facilitated the professional development of over 1,800 business leaders in Nashville and beyond—but talented business faculty are a key to delivering this education.

According to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Business, Joe F. Alexander, the graduate business professors are chosen with two goals in mind. Currently, most MBA professors are full-time, doctorally-qualified individuals who have earned their Ph.D.s in business—many from the top academic programs in the U.S.  Just as importantly, the faculty are recruited based on their significant level of professional experience they are able to bring back into the classroom.

Occasionally, an adjunct faculty member may be hired in those situations where the marketplace or technology is changing so rapidly that a full-time industry professional is the most up-to-date professional to manage that topic.

Earlier this year, as the graduate faculty and administration at Massey identified a gap within the marketing concentration of the Professional MBA Program, a decision was made to recruit Bob Hutchins, local author and owner of BuzzPlant, a marketing agency specializing in social media and online marketing. Beginning in the spring semester of 2012, Hutchins will now be leading a course entitled, Social Media Marketing Strategies and the Recommendation Age.  “We see Bob as a pioneer in the industry and believe he will greatly impact the learning experience of our MBA students,” added Alexander.

As industries continue to cut back on their marketing budget, recent solutions have been anchored in the realm of social media. Hutchins defines this new era as the “Recommendation Age”—consumers are once again taking recommendations from their fellow consumers and where are these conversations happening? Online.

“I’ve spent twenty years working on marketing campaigns and strategies for clients, and only in the last five have I seen how great of an influence social media has on the business world,” said Hutchins. “As much as we’ve tried to resist it, it has ultimately brought people closer together.  I’m proud to be involved with Belmont and help our arising industry leaders see the opportunities social media has to offer.”

Hutchins also firmly believes in authenticity being revealed within one’s marketing strategy, and the importance of developing an honest reputation both on and offline.

“How to stay transparent, respectful, create high quality products, give feedback, face negativity, learn from mistakes, and stay authentic—these are the topics we must address in the era of recommendations,” says Hutchins. “I hope to offer Belmont’s emerging leaders some ‘rubber meets the road’ advice.”

The graduate level course in social media is the first to have been developed in Nashville area universities. To learn more about Belmont University and read the course description, visit www.belmont.edu/graduatebusiness.

About the Massey School
The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business began in 1986 out of a vision from Mr. Jack C. Massey, one of the world’s most creative and successful entrepreneurs.  Today, Belmont University offers three graduate business study options—a part-time (Professional) or full-time (Accelerated) MBA program, and a Master of Accountancy program.  Each program is flexible and rigorous, with classes offered on weekday evenings to also meet the needs of working professionals.  Belmont University and Vanderbilt University are the only private universities in Tennessee to maintain business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.  For more information, visit Massey’s Web site at www.belmont.edu/business/graduatebusiness.

About BuzzPlant
BuzzPlant is a local Internet marketing agency based outside of Nashville, in Franklin, Tennessee, specializing in social media and online marketing strategies for both national and local projects. As a national award-winning creative marketing and branding firm, their clients range from local businesses to national films and campaigns. Offering services such as developing social media strategies, social media execution and management, web design and development, consultation, web based application development, handling online publicity, SEO maximization, and more, BuzzPlant’s team is dedicated to helping clients tell their story and connect to a listening audience with authenticity and creativity. For more information, visit www.BuzzPlant.com.