13th AIM-AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium
and
International Marketing Conference 2026

Rao and Reddy Mentoring Awards: Call for Nominations

We welcome applications for the Rao and Reddy Mentoring Award from faculty members affiliated with business schools in India. The award will be presented at the Doctoral Consortium & Conference 2026 organized by the Academy of Indian Marketing (July 1- July 4th, IIM Jammu, India).

Deadline for application: May 15, 2026

Please submit nominations to sjha1@memphis.edu and jgaur@iimraipur.ac.in with the subject line of the email mentioning "Rao & Reddy Mentoring Award 2026".

Award and Application Procedures

• Name: Mentoring Award (in honor of late Dr. A. K. Rao and Dr. V. N. Reddy)
• Eligibility: A full-time faculty member affiliated with a business school in India
• Purpose: To recognize outstanding mentoring of doctoral students and/or junior scholars, with demonstrated impact on their academic and/or corporate success
• Award:
  • A plaque
  • ₹ 51,000 (Fifty-one thousand)
• Nomination Process:
  • Nominations by students, or self-nominations supported by student letter(s)
  • Submission materials to include:
    • A cover letter explaining the nominee's mentoring contributions
    • Current CV
    • Preference given to nominations that include at least two letters from mentees attesting to the nominee's mentorship
• Presentation: One of the Ph.D students of Dr. Rao or Dr. Reddy will be present at the Academy of Indian Marketing Annual Conference at IIM Jammu to present the award.
• Sponsorship: Ph.D students of Dr. Rao and Dr. Reddy sponsor this award.

Biographies

Dr. A. K. Rao (late)

Dr. A. K. Rao was a distinguished educator and institution builder who made enduring contributions to business education in India and abroad. Trained in mathematics, statistics, mathematical programming, and operations research at Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta and Case Western Reserve University, USA, he brought analytical rigor to management teaching and research.

He began his career at the Indian Statistical Institute and later served as Assistant Professor at California State University, San Diego, where he received the Outstanding Professor Award. In 1973, he joined the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) as Professor and subsequently served as Dean. He later led the SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysore, as Director from 1997 to 2004. He further contributed to IBS Hyderabad, shaping generations of management students and teachers.

A Fellow and past President of the Operational Research Society of India, Dr. Rao was widely respected for integrating theory with practice. Above all, he was an inspiring teacher and generous mentor whose guidance profoundly influenced students and colleagues.

Prof. V. N. Reddy

Prof. V. N. Reddy was a distinguished scholar and educator whose contributions significantly shaped management education and applied statistics. Trained at Andhra University and the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, he brought deep expertise in econometrics, survey methodology, and applied economics to the classroom and research.

He began his career at IIM Calcutta, where he served with distinction for over thirty-six years, rising to the rank of Professor and holding key leadership roles, including Chairman of Admissions and Member of the Board of Governors. On lien, he furthered his global impact as a Research Scientist at CSIRO, Australia, providing statistical counsel to the Australian Government. Following his tenure at IIMC, he continued to shape academic excellence as Consultant-cum-Advisor at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad and subsequently at IBS Hyderabad.

A respected academic and advisor, Prof. Reddy was known for bridging rigorous research with real-world applications. Above all, he was a dedicated mentor who guided numerous doctoral students and inspired generations of scholars.

Doctoral Dissertation Award 2026

Sponsored by Marketing Strategy Journal
The Doctoral Dissertation Award is sponsored by the Marketing Strategy Journal, a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to advancing innovative marketing insights and strategic market management. The journal emphasizes the role of marketing in value creation, organizational reinvention, business performance, and digital transformation while integrating perspectives from finance, information systems, and operations management.

Broad Thematic Areas
Doctoral students are invited to submit research aligned with the following domains:

• Marketing’s Role in Value Creation and Value Appropriation
• Managing Markets, Competition, Strategic Partnerships, and Ecosystems
• Marketing as an Investment and Intangible Asset Creation
• Integration of Technological Innovation and Go-to-Market Strategies
• Leveraging AI/ML, Digital Twins, and Digital Transformation in Marketing
• Product–Market Platform Strategies for Growth and Resilience

Presentation & Evaluation
Selected doctoral scholars may be invited to present their research in a dedicated session evaluated by Rajendra Srivastava or a Senior Editor from the Marketing Strategy Journal.

Award & Publication Opportunity
The Best Paper Award will be sponsored by the Marketing Strategy Journal. The award-winning paper will receive an invitation for journal submission and will undergo the standard editorial review process.

Conference Best Paper Award

The Conference Best Paper Award is sponsored by Dr. Ajay Manrai in the loving memory of his wife, Dr. Lalita A. Manrai, with a total amount of ₹50,000.

• Conference Best Paper Award – ₹ 25,000
• 1st Runner-up Award – ₹ 15,000
• 2nd Runner-up Award - ₹ 10,000

Conference Track Best Paper Award

The conference will award Best Paper Award in each conference track. These awards will be based on originality, rigor, and contribution to the field, as decided by the committee.

Publication Opportunities

Selected full papers will be considered for publication in the following journals, subject to the journal's guidelines:

• Journal of Global Marketing (ABDC B / ABS 1 / Scopus)
• Journal of Creative Communications (ABDC C / Scopus)
• Other ABDC/ABS/Scopus-indexed journals (Under consideration — to be updated soon)

The conference will publish the conference proceeding with a reputed publisher (most likely with an ISBN).