AMA hosts guest speaker from Disney World

By Christina Johnston

Duncan Wardle, vice president of international marketing for Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, will speak in the Bayou Theater Nov. 6 at 5:15 p.m. The American Marketing Association of UH-Clear Lake will host Wardle as part of Speaker Series No. 5. Wardle's presentation will focus on global marketing. He will provide examples of businesses that have succeeded in global marketing campaigns and those that failed. Wardle will also cover challenges that major businesses face in maintaining a global and local customer base. "Every business student knows about global branding," said Cheryle Lerch, vice president of AMA. "Companies try to build a brand name for [themselves] including values, goals, employees, etc." Wardle, born and raised in Scotland, is a 1986 graduate of Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland. He began working as a junior publicist for the Walt Disney Company's London office in 1987. Wardle then served as the public relations director for the Walt Disney Company in Europe. In 1997, he transferred to the United States. Wardle has led major marketing campaigns for Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Disney Cruise Line and the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration. Lerch met Wardle in the summer of 2002 while working at an internship for Disney in Orlando, Fla. She retained his contact information for possible use in the future. "[AMA] wanted marquis speakers from large companies for the fall 2003 Speaker Series," Lerch said. "I immediately thought of Wardle." AMA began its search for guest speakers in early August 2003. They prepared a wide variety of marketing-based speakers for the fall line-up, which, in addition to Wardle, included: Kim Babiak, marketing director for the Houston Texans; Shelly Horan, collegiate relations chair for AMA Houston Professional Chapter; Brenda LaCombe, health care representative with Aventis; and Alicia Smith Buescher, president of ADS Advertising. "AMA is the largest and most active student association on campus," said Juan Vasquez, president of UH-Clear Lake's student chapter of AMA. "Our goal is to create an enthusiastic cohesive student organization that facilitates team work, social and business events, fundraisers and networking opportunities for its members." Wardle declined payment for his time or speech. In lieu of payment, he requested that UH-Clear Lake provide monetary and goods donations to Give Kids the World. The Student Government Association will pay for Wardle's airfare, hotel accommodations and transportation. Wardle's presentation is free to students, faculty, staff and community members. Anyone planning to attend should wear professional business attire. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life in the Bayou Building, Room 1602, or call (281) 283-2560.