Faculty Excellence Award
Dr. Anna Talafuse
Associate Professor of Marketing, COB
You wouldn’t know it at first glance, but Dr. Anna Talafuse knows a lot about the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The leather chaps and Harley Davidson bikes are one thing, but more knowledge about consumer behavior and demographics of rally attendees is another. These insights can inform marketing strategies designed to grow rally attendance by tapping into the decision-making and social sharing that fuel the event’s success.
Making marketing research relevant to students is a hallmark of Dr. Talafuse’s work. She is known as a successful researcher with publications in journals and conference proceedings strengthening the College of Business’s research profile and academic reputation.
Whether it is wearing a shirt at Sturgis that says “ask me about my research” or diving into data, Dr. Talafuse is committed to classroom integration of her research and integration of experiential learning projects, elevating the teaching-learning experience. Her presentations are known for their intellectual depth, creativity, and engaging delivery.
Her works have included topics such as sustainability efforts marketed by CVS Caremark, Target, and Walmart; a longitudinal study exploring sales call anxiety; and an exploration of Cracker Barrel’s recent re-branding fiasco.
She also takes part in College of Business research projects and is the faculty advisor for the American Marketing Association chapter on campus.
“Her ability to balance a rigorous research agenda with her teaching and mentorship responsibilities serves as an inspiration to colleagues and students alike,” her award nominator wrote.
Dr. Talafuse started teaching at MSU Billings 16 years ago, and said she enjoys making sure her knowledge and research is applied to real-world challenges.
“I absolutely love our students,” she said. “A lot of our students do fantastic things.”