Sommer first got the dialogical conference bug as a TCR participant. In 2015, she co-chaired a Wicked Problems dialogical conference track on fast fashion at RMIT in Melbourne. These dialogical conferences built meaningful scholarly collaborations and led to some of the most impactful papers on her CV (publications in Journal of Business Research and Journal of Social Marketing). In addition to foundational work on authentic brand activism and B2B brand activism, Sommer has explored the roles of sustainable marketing and social influencers in such outlets as Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, Journal of Consumer Affairs, and Psychology & Marketing.

Jessica’s primary research focuses on contemporary branding issues including foundational research on authentic brand activism, transformative branding, B2B and NPO brand activism. Related research topics of interest include cancel culture and strategic sport marketing and sponsorship. Jessica is a member of the Editorial Review Board and Impact Taskforce for the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing and has published in top journals including the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, European Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Macromarketing. Jessica also provides expert commentary for The Conversation and contributes regularly to media through TV, radio and print as a marketing expert.

Katharine was previously an assistant professor at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. Her research interests are primarily related to brand activism, political orientation, cancel culture, and consumer well-being. Katharine has published research in premier journals such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Product and Brand Management, and others. Additionally, Katharine is on Editorial Board for the Journal of Business Ethics and has provided expert commentary on brand activism for The Conversation.

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