A spontaneous episode at the 2005 AMA Winter Marketing Educators’ Conference sent a signal about the state of our field today. Kent Monroe was named the 2005 Distinguished
Marketing Educator (a fitting honor), and I was one of the people asked to speak at his reception. Midway through my remarks, I detoured from my outline and mused, “By the way, there seems to be a meanness creeping into our field, and we really don’t need this.” Much to my surprise, applause for this sentiment spread across the 100–150 people in the room.