Janell Townsend

Janell Townsend is a Professor of Marketing and International Business and Chair of the Management & Marketing Department at Oakland University. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing and International Business from Michigan State University. Her research focuses on global marketing strategy, branding, product design, and innovation management in international markets. She has taught at institutions such as the University of Zurich and Technical University of Vienna, and actively collaborates with global automotive OEMs and suppliers.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Marketing and International Business, Michigan State University

Research Interests: Townsend’s work bridges branding, product design, and innovation management. She explores how organizational climate, market orientation, and competitor dynamics impact business performance. Her studies frequently analyze cross-cultural consumer behavior and global brand expansion strategies. Recent research emphasizes the role of proactive competitor orientation in fostering innovation and the moderating effects of culture on brand architecture and new product launches.

Awards:

• Hedi Fritz-Niggli Visiting Professorship (2015)
• Research Excellence Award (2011)
• Multiple travel grants and service awards

Professional Activities: She serves on boards for PDMA, European Marketing Association, and the International Motor Vehicle Program. Her consulting work spans automotive and market research sectors. She chairs conferences and contributes to academic journals like the Journal of International Business Studies and Journal of Product Innovation Management.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global industry partners and academic networks on automotive innovation and cross-cultural marketing initiatives.