24 November 2006
Who is responsible for the phenomenal increase in materialism and consumerism in contemporary Australia? And what should be done about it?
Dr Clive Hamilton, leading economist and Executive Director of the Australia Institute, will provide insights into the role marketers can play in preventing over-consumption at this year's Monash University Marketing Awards for Excellence on Wednesday 13 December.
"The Western world is in the grip of a consumption binge that is unique in human history," Dr Hamilton says. "We aspire to the lifestyles of rich and famous at the cost of family, friends and personal fulfillment. Rates of stress, depression and obesity are up as we wrestle with the emptiness and endless disappointments of the consumer life.
"Australians themselves see their society as too materialistic. Despite this, public policy, the news media and public opinion seem to place an extraordinary emphasis on higher incomes and material acquisitions."
Professor Mike Ewing, Head of Monash's Department of Marketing, says it is questionable whether marketing is entirely responsible for the phenomenal growth in materialism and its many negative side-effects. "It's certainly an extremely complex problem and consumers themselves will have to be part of the solution," he says.
Monash University's Department of Marketing is the largest provider of tertiary level marketing education in Australia.
The Monash Marketing Awards for Excellence recognise top performing marketing students at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Celebrating 35 years, the event provides a unique opportunity for academics, high achieving students and industry members to establish relationships, exchange ideas and recognise the contribution and potential of others in the marketing industry.
Who: Dr Clive Hamilton speaks on materialism and consumerism in Australia
What: Monash University Marketing Awards for Excellence
When: Wednesday 13 December, 6.15pm
Where: Crown Palladium, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Melbourne
Tickets to the event are available at the Marketing awards website.
For further information contact Ms
Sandy Zissis, Monash Marketing Awards for Excellence, on +61 3 9903 2982 or email mmae.mkt@buseco.monash.edu.au
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