Frank Franzak
Associate Professor
Area: Marketing
- Snead Hall
- 301 W. Main Street
- Box 844000
- Richmond, VA, 23284-4000
- Office: B3181
Expertise
- Product Launch
- Healthcare Marketing
- New Product Development
Interests
Teaching
- Franzak's teaching interests include marketing management, which introduces students to problem solving in marketing, product development, and supervision of student project teams. Experience with the latter includes International Market Planning (IMP) projects for companies seeking to start or expand export operations and product launch planning for life science and biotech companies seeking to commercialize their technology developments. Special topic presentations and short courses include the product development process, technology forecasting, creating a climate for innovation, market orientation as a culture, and a marketing strategy simulation exercise.
Research
- Franzakâs research centers on applying strategic marketing decision making to innovation/new product development and global business. Ongoing topics and applications include: incorporating design benefits into new products, brand engagement related to product benefits, and export marketing practices. His research has been published in major marketing and management journals, and he has regularly presented at the major conferences in his field.
Bio
Frank Franzak is an Associate Professor of Marketing in the VCU School of Business. Dr. Franzak has been at VCU's Marketing Department since 1986. Prior to his appointment at VCU, he was on the faculty of Boston College School of Management. His time at VCU has been characterized by a number of administrative appointments. He served as Marketing Department Chair from July 2002 through June 2008, as Curriculum Coordinator for the VCU Executive MBA program from August 1998 to July 2001 and again from August 2015 - June 2018. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Coordinator for VCU da Vinci Center Master of Product Innovation program. From August 2002 to the present time, he is Faculty Advisor to the Master of Science in Business, Marketing Management Concentration. Professionally, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association's Global Marketing Special Interest Group, twice in the position of Board Chair and then Immediate Past Chair, and once as the Communications Officer. He has been active with consultative projects in the innovation/product launch area, facilitating projects that have involved student teams working with the Virginia Biosciences Commercialization Center and VCU Ventures. Similar student project efforts in the global arena collaborated with the international trade office of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
