Four among Seven: Midway in the History of Journal of Public Policy & Marketing

Journal of Public Policy & Marketing

As Journal of Public Policy & Marketing‘s (JPP&M‘s) fourth of now seven editors, my term (1995–1998) was situated between the launch of the journal and its current position of esteem as one of the top policy journals in business. In many ways, my term can be characterized as “staying the course.” Following Tom Kinnear, Pat Murphy, and Michael Mazis, I had some big shoes to fill. Furthermore, as the first female editor of an American Marketing Association (AMA) journal, I had some great expectations to meet. I found nothing extraordinary about my gender with regard to my appointment as editor. I had been an active participant in the Marketing & Public Policy conferences since their inception. I had spent time working at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and my own research focused primarily on policy issues. There were many other women active in the early Marketing & Public Policy conferences and writing about public policy and social marketing issues. It seemed natural to me that a woman would be considered for the role of editor. I was pleased to take on this exciting challenge, though in my role then as associate dean at the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, I was not sure how I would be able to devote the time needed to lead a growing journal that was aspiring to reach and maintain a prominent place among the top journals in marketing.