Online Consumer Behavior (PDF)

Where creating knowledge via research is important, Professor Close believes that disseminating knowledge is crucial to move the field forward and to inspire young minds. She is currently teaching Integrated Communication Management, and she has taught MBA Market Opportunity Analysis, Marketing Management, Advertising, Integrated Marketing Communication, International Marketing, Strategy, and Sales/Promotions courses. A goal of this teaching is to spark student interest in the fields of advertising and marketing by involving students with research projects, co-collaborating on new ideas, and hosting esteemed marketing executives. She takes pride in engaging students' thinking in marketing theories and applications, especially in the local entertainment and technology economies.

For community service, Professor Close serves the local and national marketing and academic communities. Nationally, she serves as President of the American Marketing Association's Consumer Behavior division (CBSIG.org). Involved with doctoral education, she serves on the Board of Directors to current doctoral students AMA's doctoral student group. She serves various leadership roles for the Association for Consumer Research, Society for Marketing Advances, and Academy of Marketing Science.

Professor Close brings experience as a marketing research consultant, as she has contributed marketing research projects for: Hallmark, Coca-Cola, Dodge, Ford, Cingular, New Media Institute, Harvey's Grocery, United Community Bank, AT&T, Fashion Show Mall, Suzuki, Tour de GA, Road Atlanta, Red Rock Country Club, and Lexus.

Prior to joining Texas Advertising, Professor Close served the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's business faculty for five years. Prior to that, she studied advertising and marketing at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication (ABJ 1997; MMC 2000) and the Terry College of Business (Ph.D. 2006). Beyond her passion for advertising and marketing, she enjoys spending time with her husband Ben and baby Corbyn, playing tennis, volunteering, and travelling.