News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Mal Schwartz, President
MBS Associates
Phone: 914-737-1954 ext. 103
Fax: 914-737-5703
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2125 Albany Post Road
Montrose, NY 10548

Website: www.mbsa.info


MBS Associates Awarded Contract to Put Information Schools "On The Map"

MONTROSE, NY – (May 8): MBS Associates announced today that it has been retained by a caucus of deans representing 19 leading colleges of information sciences and technology across the U.S. and Canada to develop a branding and marketing communications program through which prospective students and other key constituencies will better understand what the Information Field is and its importance to societal advancement.

 Mal Brett Schwartz, President of MBS Associates, said his company’s challenge will be to “put a face” on the information field that will position it as a “most favored” academic pursuit and elevate its perception and desirability as a field of study offering huge future potential. 

“Few people realize that information management is the only area of study that cuts across every other field of learning as well as every aspect of our society.  Information is the basis of knowledge and know-how. Nothing moves without information,” he said.

He explained that the initiative is being underwritten by a caucus of 19 leading schools of information science and technology. (See appended list)
Ronald L. Larsen, Dean of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and convener of the caucus, said this group of information schools is determined to elevate the stature of the information field in the eyes of student prospects, business leaders, employers, funding entities and other constituencies critical to the growth and development of the field.  

“The I-Schools Caucus consists of Universities interested in the relationship between information, technology, and people. This is characterized by a commitment to learning and understanding of the role of information in all human endeavors,” Larsen added.

He explained that the deans of the I-Schools making up the caucus take it as given that expertise in all forms of information is required for progress in science, business, education, and culture, and accordingly, the existing information science degree programs cover virtually every aspect of information.
“This expertise includes understanding of the uses and users of information, as well as information technologies and their applications. Today, there are approximately 55 information schools out of approximately 3,600 U.S. institutions of higher education.  We envision information schools’ far-reaching influence to affect every college campus,” Larsen explained.

Schwartz added that the year-long project will involve creating a “brand” for the field as well as developing both strategic and marketing plans that will shape the process for positioning the information field solidly in the minds of its key audiences.

“As the information age moves to full maturity and becomes more sophisticated, and as the advances in information management continue to propel the field ahead in terms of its relevance to societal growth and development, demand for this discipline can only increase. We have an extraordinarily strong point of departure for this project.  According to Job Web, Information Sciences and Systems graduates average more than $47,000 in starting salaries and among  the18 fields reported on by Job Web, in 2006 the information sciences and systems field showed the highest increase for starting salaries among all fields listed,” Schwartz concluded. (See table below)

Schwartz said the project will include building awareness of the field, defining its role and promoting its benefits; enhancing a perception among potential students and those who influence them that the I Field is a great career alternative, and educating all key constituencies on the I Field’s contributions to societal growth and development.

MBS Associates is a strategic planning, branding and marketing practice specializing in leveraging Cause-Related Marketing to drive measurable business growth. The company develops sustainable, value added promotions by leveraging its time-tested strategic planning process to create organic, results-driven connections for the corporate/institutional brand, the cause, and the target audience. We show clients how to evaluate their needs, to differentiate themselves in a crowded competitive environment and to create the processes that put the focus on their strengths.

Current and recent past MBS clients include: Aerosoles, Arm & Hammer, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, PETsMART, Clorox, Pfizer Animal Health, First Brands, Procter & Gamble, Hartz Mountain, Quaker Oats, Resolve, The Iams Company, Hills Science Diet, HJ Heinz, Kraft General Foods, University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences and Drexel University’s College of Information Science and Technology and College of Arts & Sciences.

Members of the I-Schools Caucus: