TECH WORLD ABUZZ OVER THE FUTURE OF APPLE PRODUCTS

The tech world is buzzing as Apple kicks off its Worldwide Developer Conference today, showing off a new lineup of products and software. Early reports say Apple will have major updates to the operating system that powers its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, along with information on the next version of OS X. Also, Apple may possibly announce a new streaming music service that already has all major record labels on-board. Hesam Panahi, who teaches courses in management information systems and entrepreneurship at the Bauer College at University of Houston,  is prepared to discuss how online streaming subscriptions and technology are changing the way we work and play. Panahi is also the founder of RED Labs, the university’s startup accelerator housed in Bauer College.

To schedule an interview with Panahi, see Media Contact section to the left.

The tech world is buzzing this week as Google kicks off its I/O Conference, showing off a new lineup of products and online services. As the anticipation for the conference grows, early reports say that Google will launch a Google Play Store, a streaming music subscription service that rivals players like Rhapsody and Spotify. This streaming service will also get the jump on Apple, who is also trying to launch a similar product. Hesam Panahi, who teaches courses in management information systems and entrepreneurship at the Bauer College at University of Houston,  is prepared to discuss how online streaming subscriptions are changing the way we get our television, movies, music and more. Panahi is also the founder of RED Labs, the university’s startup accelerator housed in Bauer College.

To schedule an interview with Panahi, see Media Contact section to the left.

Jessica Bolaños, a graduating senior in the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at Bauer College, shares how she is hoping to change the world by promoting literacy to developing countries through the non-profit organization she developed during her time in the program. By using crowd-funding and social media, Bolaños hopes to raise awareness, and funds, to deliver books to children in impoverished nations.

For more information, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRpoHr7SFVE&list=PL2D1210FF72718883&index=2

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: JOSE AVALOS ESTRADA

Doing a Google Search for the highest paying jobs in Houston didn’t pay off for Jose Avalos Estrada. After realizing he had a passion for business, Estrada found his way to the Bauer College at UH where he was able to tap into his leadership skills, earning an impressive number of accolades before he takes a walk across the stage in Hofheinz Pavilion this week.

For more information, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AchLdbJ9qRQ&list=PL2D1210FF72718883&index=1

CROSSING THE STAGE

The C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston will celebrate nearly 1,000 Spring 2013 business graduates during a commencement ceremony on May 11 in Hofheinz Pavilion on the UH campus.

The Bauer ceremony is part of a full day of commencement on campus, the university’s esteemed tradition of General Commencement to honor all graduates and achievements in a grand celebration. Bauer students from undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs will claim their degrees in the Spring 2013 ceremony.

For more information, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/events/crossing-the-stage/

To schedule an interview, see Media Contact section to the left.

Things will heat up next week for students from the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. During a three-day battle of the pop-up businesses, they will soon discover if their entrepreneurship acumen can handle the heat.

On April 16-18, WCE will hold Wolffest on campus in Butler Plaza, in front of M.D. Anderson Library. The annual event is part of the program’s capstone course and the final steps for students in completing a BBA in Entrepreneurship from Bauer College.

A contest of creativity, business aptitude and teamwork, the event requires entrepreneurship student teams to launch pop-up restaurant stands and compete to see who can earn the most revenue and execute their plans best.

Photo/Filming Opportunity

Date: Tuesday, April 16 – Thursday, April 18, 2013
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: University of Houston Campus
Butler Plaza (in front of M.D. Anderson Library)
4800 Calhoun Road
Houston, TX 77204

For more information, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/events/april-16-18-wolffest-promises-entrepreneurship-in-action/

BUILDING A FINANCIAL FOUNDATION AT SECOND ANNUAL FINANCIAL SYMPOSIUM

Getting control of your personal finances can easily become a daunting task. With the help of financial experts, the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston will aim to help the Houston community during the second annual financial symposium on April 13 where they will focus on building a financial foundation and making a blueprint to successfully achieve financial stability.

Photo/Filming Opportunity

Date: April 13, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: C. T. Bauer College of Business
Michael J. Cemo Hall
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-6021

For more information, visit http://www.bauer.uh.edu/departments/finance/pfl/events/index.php

GET YOUR TECH BIZ OFF THE GROUND AT THREE DAY STARTUP (3DS)

The idea of 3 Day Startup is simple: start a technology company over the course of three days. We rent work space for an entire weekend, recruit 40 students with a wide range of backgrounds, cater food and drinks, invite top-notch entrepreneurs and investors, pick the best idea for a software startup during the Friday brainstorming session, and release a minimal prototype by Sunday night. The goal is to build enough momentum among a network of motivated people to sustain the company beyond the weekend.

Photo/Filming Opportunity

Date: Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21, 2013
Time: April 19—2 p.m. until April 21—10 p.m.
Location: University Classroom and Business Building
University of Houston Campus
4800 Calhoun Road
Houston, TX 77204

For more information, visit http://www.bauer.uh.edu/3ds/

To attend these events or schedule an interview, see Media Contact section to the left.

The C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston has received a $1 million gift to establish an endowment that will allow the college to recruit prospective students competitively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The gift comes from Dawn and Richard Rawson, longtime supporters of the college and the university and respected members of the Houston community. Richard Rawson is a 1972 graduate of Bauer College’s undergraduate program and now serves as president of Insperity, a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions for America’s best businesses.

Photo/Filming Opportunity

Date: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013
Time: 12:45 p.m.
Location: C. T. Bauer College of Business
334 Melcher Hall
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-6021

For more information, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/recognition/rawsons-make-1m-contribution-to-recruiting-scholarship-endowment/

To schedule an interview, see Media Contact section to the left.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis recently implored his team to not take the traditional picture with the Super Bowl trophy before the big game in fear that it would cause bad luck. Similar to hockey teams not touching the Stanley Cup until it’s theirs, these traditions may help to keep teams focused on the task at hand, rather than a reward that has not yet been earned. Bauer Marketing Professor and former professional baseball player, Michael Ahearne, is available to discuss how this approach can help to drive motivation and a shared team goal.

To schedule an interview with Ahearne, see Media Contact section to the left.

As Feb. 3 approaches, companies like Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi and Coca-Cola are already scooping up ad inventory at prices averaging between $3.7 million and $3.8 million for this year’s big game. With so little time allotted to commercials, they still manage to make an impact on the biggest audience of consumers all year. While many commercials instantly go viral, does spending such a large amount really pay off for the corporations? Bauer Marketing Professor, Betsy Gelb, is prepared to discuss what impact, if any, is made on consumers and if that increases spending or not.

To schedule an interview with Gelb, see Media Contact section to the left.

Three University of Houston alumni need public votes to be named the world’s best in Global Startup Battle, an online competition that runs through Nov. 27. The students, including Bauer alumnus James Wroblewski, won the 2012 Startup Weekend Houston in early November for PermitMe, their business idea to help solve one of the basic roadblocks in starting a business — government permitting. PermitMe’s mission is to help small businesses launch quickly, legally and efficiently by helping them navigate local or state government permitting. The Houston team is competing against 130-plus other first place teams from Startup Weekends around the world. Supporters can vote online once a day between Nov. 21-27 at http://bit.ly/GlobalStartupBattle.

To schedule an interview with the PermitMe team, see Media Contact section the left.

As the holidays inch closer and closer, many consumers are already gobbling up the must have toys of the holiday season. From Furby to Barbie to Hot Wheels and even iPads for toddlers, many of these items are already selling out nationwide. With Black Friday around the corner, many shoppers will stand in line for such items and buy things they don’t even need. Bauer Marketing Professor Jackie Kacen is ready to discuss how holiday sales activates consumers impulse buying.

To schedule an interview with Kacen, see Media Contact section the left.

 ’TIS THE SEASON TO BE DEBT FREE

The holidays are a fun and exciting time, and everyone loves to find that perfect, special gift for friends and loved ones. But how do you navigate the holiday shopping season without putting yourself in deep debt? Bauer Finance Clinical Assistant Professor John Lopez is available to discuss how you can stay debt free this holiday season.

To schedule an interview with Lopez, see Media Contact section the left.

As Hurricane Sandy began battering the East Coast on Monday, millions of people ranging from South Carolina all the way to Maine are bracing themselves for what is being called the “perfect storm.” While residents prepare their homes, many businesses have been shut down, including  like the New York Stock Exchange, in its first weather-related closure in nearly 30 years. While Sandy is already causing major issues with U.S. travel, the implications of shutting down Wall Street could send a shockwave throughout the U.S. economy. Praveen Kumar who teaches finance at the Bauer College of Business, is prepared to discuss the storm’s impact on financial markets.

To schedule an interview with Kumar, see Media Contact section the left.

POLITICAL TALK IN THE WORKPLACE? I VOTE NO

With early voting already underway and Election Day inching closer, it can be impossible to escape political talk with family and friends. But what are the implications of talking politics at work? Should you reference “binders of women” when ordering office supplies? With many controversial issues stemming from the political race, it is easy to be stuck in an awkward conversation in the workplace. Jamie Belinne, assistant dean for Career Services at the Bauer College of Business, is available to discuss what professionals can do to handle these type of situations in the workplace.

To schedule an interview with Belinne, see Media Contact section the left.

GOT A BUSINESS IDEA? WE’LL GIVE YOU TWO MINUTES.

All businesses start with an idea, an idea that fills a perceived need in the marketplace. These ideas can come from anyone, and anywhere. Today marks the entry deadline for CougarPitch, an elevator-pitch competition open to University of Houston faculty, staff and students. This is the second annual installment of the competition, organized by the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at Bauer College, with Nov. 17 slated for the final round of competition, where the best pitches will go up in front of a panel of judges that includes venture capitalists and potential investors. Last year’s business proposals ranged from a nonprofit mentoring program pairing returning vets with mentors to help in the job search to a software service to detect phishing emails before they strike, showing that entrepreneurial endeavors are limitless, right here in our own backyard.

To schedule an interview with a CougarPitch representative, see Media Contact section the left.

UH BAUER STUDENTS STAND AGAINST BULLYING

In the U.S., about 30 percent of teenagers have been involved in bullying, either as a victim or as a tormentor themselves. As this becomes a pressing issue facing the nation, Bauer College, along with the Stars of Tomorrow Excellence Program (STEP), will host an anti-bullying rally at Edison Middle School on Nov. 3 to help students deal with bullying and to learn what they can do when they see someone being bullied.

To schedule an interview with a Bauer representative, see Media Contact section the left.

For the first time since 1983, the Dublin, Ohio-based fast food company is updating its logo in March 2013 in a move intended to signal its ongoing transformation into a higher-end hamburger chain. As a strong contender for the #2 burger spot, changing their logo may be a bit of a risk. Betsy Gelb, marketing professor for the C. T. Bauer College of Business, is ready to discuss how updating a logo affects brand identity for a business.

To schedule an interview with Gelb, see Media Contact section to the left.

(GOOGLE) BOMBS AWAY: GOOGLE ANALYTICS YIELD WEIRD PHOTO RESULTS

Google users made a recent discovery that if you search for the phrase “completely wrong,” pages of Mitt Romney photos appear. Google contributes this to analytics gathering based on news headlines pairing with photos. The result, known as a “Google Bomb,” have happened in the past with products and other political figures. Steve Koch, marketing professor at the C. T. Bauer College of Business, is ready to discuss how this type of advanced data gathering can affect products and even sway elections.

To schedule an interview with Koch, see Media Contact section to the left.

The University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business announced recently that it will add the Institute for Regional Forecasting (IRF) to its range of centers and institutes.

In addition, the IRF will welcome a new executive director with the appointment of Robert W. “Bill” Gilmer, Ph.D., who most recently served as senior economist and vice president in charge for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

“The integration of the Institute for Regional Forecasting into the Bauer College will add to the resources that we are able to provide the Houston business community,” said Dean Latha Ramchand. “With Bill at the helm, the institute will continue to provide the quality information on the Houston economy it has become known for and complement the college’s existing portfolio of industry expertise.”

In his role with the Federal Reserve, Gilmer had oversight of operations in West Texas and southern New Mexico, including annual shipment and receipt of over $10 billion in cash to regional banks. He served as senior economist in the organization’s research department and co-managed the 11th District regional economic research, giving 40 to 50 speeches or public presentations per year on regional economic conditions.

“Bauer and the University of Houston play a very important role in the city’s economic picture,” Gilmer said. “I’m excited to join the college as executive director of the IRF and look forward to focusing on Houston’s unique business cycle, driven by the U.S. economy, oil and global growth.”

The IRF was previously housed within the university’s Hobby Center for Public Policy (HCPP) and holds biannual symposia to give a real estate and economic outlook for the area. The fall symposium, titled “Houston 2012-2013: A Sparkling Diamond of Many Facets — Medical, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals and the Port,” and featuring Stewart Title Guaranty Co. senior vice president and chief economist Ted C. Jones, will be held Nov. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The institute was founded in the mid-1990s and led by now professor emeritus Barton Smith, who helped to shape its signature programming and economic forecasts.

“Thirty years ago, Houstonians were in desperate need of an independent source of information about the local economy, unencumbered by the spin that special interests wished to put on the region’s status and prospects,” Smith said. “Amazingly, both local and national analysts at the time didn’t really understand what made Houston’s economy tick. That gap was filled by the University of Houston through the Center for Public Policy and its offshoot, the Institute for Regional Forecasting.  During those years, UH not only provided forecasts but was dedicated to educating Houstonians about the factors that influenced the region’s future. At times there were words of warnings; other times promises much more optimistic than most others embraced.

“Under the directorship of Bill Gilmer, the IRF at the Bauer College has its best chance of continuing that tradition,” Smith added. “Bill Gilmer has the academic skills, the detailed knowledge of the local business community, and the willingness to speak objectively to the community. Thus, I’m greatly encouraged that the traditions built up over the past 30 years will continue. Houston needs it!”

To schedule an interview with IRF leadership, see Media Contact section to the left.

In the United States, there’s a reasonable chance that the iPhone 5 will hold the nation’s smartphone sales record for much longer — maybe forever. As the smartphone boom comes to an end and carriers make upgrades more expensive and onerous for their customers, the iPhone’s popularity in the U.S. is likely to plateau. Hesam Panahi, clinical assistant professor of Decision and Information Sciences at the Bauer College of Business, is available to discuss how this plateau can effect sales of other smartphones.

To schedule an interview with Panahi, see Media Contact section to the left.

NEGATIVITY IN POLITICS. DOES IT WORK?

 With the 2012 Presidential election a month away, voters have been bombarded over the past few months with a stream of advertisements from both political parties. Voters may notice that political ads seem to be more negative, according to Partha Krishnamurthy, professor of marketing at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. Krishnamurthy is available to discuss how negativity in advertisement can sway voters interest during the 2012 election.

To schedule an interview with Krishnamurthy, see Media Contact section to the left.

This week, McDonald’s restaurants across the country are set to give customers more than a side of fries with their burgers. They announced last week that they will begin posting calorie counts on menus, a move that comes with several menu additions that put a health spin on standard offerings, including a grilled chicken option in the Happy Meal. This comes on the heels of a ban in New York City on sugar drinks, like soda, in containers larger than 16 ounces. Partha Krishnamurthy, who teaches marketing at Bauer College and is a noted expert on health care marketing, is available to discuss how working the “health” angle might bring big gains to businesses.

To schedule an interview with Krishnamurthy, see Media Contact section to the left.

FEDERAL RESERVE LAUNCHES BOND-BUYING PLAN

The Federal Reserve announced plans to unleash more stimulus Thursday, Sept. 13, in its third attempt at a controversial program to rev up the U.S. economy. The policy, known as quantitative easing and often abbreviated as QE3, entails buying $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities each month. As the Fed hopes to ease consumers woes in mortgage loans and an increase in 401(k)s, this program does come with certain concerns. John Lopez, clinical assistant finance professor, is ready to discuss how this new initiative may possibly help consumers in the job market and in their checking accounts.

To schedule an interview with Lopez, see Media Contact section to the left.

Cloaked in secrecy, Apple is holding an event slated today to announce the new iPhone 5. With rumors swirling months in advance, Apple seems to have done little, if any, marketing for this new product. Bauer marketing professors Steve Koch, an expert on new product marketing, and Betsy Gelb, an expert on advertising, are available to talk about how Apple rides the wave of buzz to successfully sell their products.

To schedule an interview with Koch or Gelb, see Media Contact section to the left.

ENERGY IN TEXAS GOES GREEN

A new retail electric brand, Direct Energy’s New Leaf Energy, is offering customers power generated exclusively from renewable sources, showing Texas’ growing demand for clean energy. Praveen Kumar, a finance professor and executive director of the Global Energy Management Institute (GEMI) at Bauer College, is willing to talk about how the growing popularity of green energy can affect other energy markets.

To schedule an interview with Kumar, see Media Contact section to the left.

Summer brings to mind many images — lazy days on the beach, road trips across the country with family and a sense of relaxation you just can’t seem to find any other time of year. But for many Americans, summer is no longer an option for time away from the office. According to Richard DeFrank, an associate professor from the University of Houston Bauer College who studies workplace issues, workers in the U.S. are increasingly choosing to work through September without taking the vacation time allotted to them by employers. A shaky economy and fear of being seen negatively keeps employees on the clock, DeFrank says, which has the potential to negatively impact productivity and health in the office.

To schedule an interview with DeFrank, see Media Contact section to the left.

Students Take Home $35,000 in Scholarships and Recognition at ELC’s National Gala

Two MBA students from the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston won first place last week in The Executive Leadership Council’s (ELC) 2012 Business Case Competition. Emeka N. Akpunonu and Clyde McNeil were named the top team in the final round of competition on April 20.

Sponsored by ExxonMobil, the competition in the finals included teams from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. Judges represented leading corporations and non-profits, such as the Compass Group, 100 Black Men of America, AETNA, Inc., Aztec Worldwide Group, United Way Worldwide, the Silver Parker Group and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

ELC’s Business Case Competition challenged this year’s teams to develop strategies for strengthening ties between the corporate social responsibility community and African-American nonprofits during tough economic times. Specifically, the competition examined how corporations can expand their global philanthropy efforts to African-American non-profits and other community groups at sustained or higher levels.

“The team from Bauer College made a strong case, presenting exceptional recommendations on the steps corporations and African-American non-profits need to take to strengthen their ties,” said Arnold Donald, ELC’s president and CEO.

He added, “The team offered powerful solutions for helping corporations retain and increase charitable giving to African-American non-profits while expanding their philanthropic footprint around the globe.”

In recognition of their first place win, team captain Akpunonu and McNeil will share a $35,000 scholarship cash award and will be recognized during ELC’s 2012 Annual Recognition Gala in October before an audience of more than 2,000 corporate, education and government leaders.

For the full story, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/events/bauer-mbas-take-first-place-in-elc-business-case-competition/.

ENTR TEAM WINS BIG AT BIZ PLAN COMPETITION

UH Student Team Takes Top Honors for “UNLimiters”

A group of four students at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship bested 21 teams at the Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition on April 20, bringing home a first place win and a $15,000 grand prize.

Competitors Tattiana Reznick, Louis McEneny, Randy Hannemann, Adam Trojanowski and Justin Farley impressed at the competition hosted by Texas Christian University’s Neely School of Business, which included a judging panel of entrepreneurs, investors, marketing and financial experts and venture capitalists. The team presented their business plan for “UNlimiters,” an e-commerce website that sells products to people with disabilities.

The competition, which incorporates values, ethics and service into a for-profit business, encourages undergraduate business students to create ventures that have strong business viability, meaning for the organization and significantly improve quality of life.

For the full story, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/degrees-and-programs/entr-team-wins-big-at-biz-plan-competition/.

(Filming and Photo Opportunity)

UH STUDENTS COOK UP BUSINESS PLANS AT WOLFFEST
Entrepreneurship students who have studied how to open a business will find out if they can really stand the heat during this week’s Wolffest (formerly called Burgerfest), an annual business plan competition organized by the UH Bauer College Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship that challenges students to come up with a winning concept for a retail burger operation. Student teams who have been raising capital and preparing for the launch of their burger stands this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will vie for customers to visit their locations on campus. It’s a contest of creativity, business aptitude and teamwork ― and of course, grilling up the tastiest burgers.

To read more about Wolffest, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/events/entr-students-put-b-plans-to-the-test-at-apr-17-19-wolffest/. To interview students involved or to attend this year’s Wolffest, see Media Contact section below.

UH Bauer Planning First Ever Financial Symposium for Community on April 14

It’s never too early (or too late) to get control of your finances — that’s the message from the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and its upcoming financial symposium open to the community on April 14.

The event comes as the college is rolling out two courses focusing on financial literacy, Personal Finance Planning (offered to business majors) and Introduction to Personal Finance (open to all UH students). This will be the first time the college has organized the event, being held in conjunction with Houston Money Week.

“Our goal is to promote financial literacy,” says Frank Kelley, associate dean for undergraduate studies for Bauer College. “We aim to serve as a resource for financial planning to our students, the rest of the university and the Houston community.”

Bolstered by faculty support, mentorship and involvement from students and alumni, the financial symposium serves as a way to launch the college’s overall program for financial literacy, which offers resources and support to current students along with K-12 educators and Houstonians.

The symposium includes several facilitated sessions and activities covering a range of financial topics, including money management, understanding a credit report, embedding personal finance into education, and careers in finance.

“The burden for financial independence or financial security is being put on the individual,” said John Lopez, the Bauer professor who teaches the personal finance courses and will be speaking at the April 14 symposium. “It is going to become more complex for the individuals and here at Bauer, we are taking a leadership role to roll out financial literacy programs to prepare them for these eventualities.”

For the full story, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/events/financial-literacy/. If you would like to attend or cover the event, see Media Contacts section below.

Research by a professor at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business reveals that language is a powerful tool in resisting temptation. Vanessa M. Patrick, a Bauer marketing professor, found that consumers are more empowered when they say “I don’t” than “I can’t.” The findings by Patrick and Boston College professor Henrik Hagtvedt will be published in the August 2012 issue of Journal of Consumer Research.

For the full story, visit http://bauerticker.uh.edu/recognition/uh-bauer-professor-finds-ways-to-help-consumers-say-no/. To interview Prof. Patrick, see Media Contacts section below.