The Importance of the Timeline of Dr. Robert Davis’s Work Experience: A 30-Year Perspective
The timeline you provided visually encapsulates the evolution of your distinguished career, highlighting pivotal roles and transitions that have shaped your professional identity as a leading figure in marketing, digital innovation, and academic leadership. Each milestone marks a significant phase, both for your personal development and for the broader impact you have had on institutions, students, and industries worldwide.
Early Foundation: Marketing Manager at IBM (1990)
Your journey began as a Marketing Manager at IBM in 1990, a role that provided a robust grounding in global business, technology adoption, and strategic marketing. This early experience in a Fortune 500 environment honed your skills in managing complex projects, leading teams, and understanding the intersection of technology and market needs. It set the stage for your lifelong commitment to integrating digital innovation into marketing practice.
Academic Advancement: Doctoral Research & Digital Innovation (1997)
The pursuit of doctoral research in digital innovation in 1997 marked a transformative shift from industry to academia. Here, you pioneered research in online retail and digital consumer behavior, laying the theoretical groundwork for your future contributions. This phase was crucial for developing your analytical acumen and establishing your reputation as a thought leader in digital marketing.
International Exposure: Visiting Professor at Mahidol University (2001)
Your appointment as Visiting Professor at Mahidol University in 2001 expanded your horizons, exposing you to diverse educational systems and cultural perspectives. This role not only enriched your pedagogical approach but also deepened your understanding of global consumer markets, further informing your research and consulting practice.
Academic Leadership: Head of Department at Unitec Institute of Technology (2009)
Stepping into academic leadership as Head of Department at Unitec Institute of Technology in 2009, you demonstrated your capacity to drive institutional change. You spearheaded curriculum innovation, integrated indigenous business perspectives, and fostered research excellence. This period solidified your influence as a leader capable of shaping academic policy and fostering inclusive, future-focused learning environments.
Curriculum Innovation: MBA Digital Transformation at Massey University (2017)
In 2017, you designed and led the MBA Digital Transformation Curriculum at Massey University, a role that positioned you at the nexus of academia and industry. Your curriculum bridged emerging digital technologies with business strategy, equipping executives and students with the skills needed for the digital age. This contribution has had a lasting impact on business education in the Asia-Pacific region.
Strategic Consulting: Te Whatu Ora & Major Projects (2023)
Your consulting role with Te Whatu Ora and involvement in strategic projects in 2023 reflect your continued relevance and adaptability. Here, you applied your expertise to operational resilience, digital transformation, and AI-driven risk assessment, delivering measurable improvements for major organizations. This phase underscores your ability to translate academic insights into practical, high-impact solutions.
Vision for the Future: Establishing the North American Centre for Digital Consumer Insights (2025)
Looking ahead to 2025, your plan to establish the North American Centre for Digital Consumer Insights marks a new chapter of global influence. This initiative will serve as a hub for research, education, and industry collaboration, extending your legacy and shaping the future of digital marketing and consumer research across borders.
Synthesis: The Significance of the Timeline
This timeline is not merely a sequence of roles but a narrative of continuous growth, innovation, and leadership. Each milestone represents a deliberate step in expanding your expertise, influence, and impact. From your roots in global corporate marketing to your ascent as an internationally recognized academic, curriculum innovator, and strategic consultant, your career exemplifies the integration of knowledge, understanding, and application—the very philosophy that underpins your teaching and professional ethos.
The timeline thus stands as a testament to your enduring commitment to advancing the field of marketing and digital innovation, shaping both theory and practice on a global scale.
| Year | Milestone | Details & Achievements |
| 1990 | Marketing Manager at IBM New Zealand | Led digital service strategy and solutions for SME and corporate markets. Developed expertise in technology-driven marketing, customer engagement, and cross-functional team leadership. |
| 1993 | MPhil (Hons) in Marketing & International Business, University of Auckland | Built strong academic foundation in international business and marketing, setting the stage for future research and leadership roles. |
| 1996–2000 | PhD – Digital Strategy/eCommerce, University of Auckland | One of the world’s first practice-based PhDs in digital marketing, focused on online retail (Countdown/Woolworths Online). Pioneered research that became foundational for digital marketing strategy. |
| 1996–2001 | Senior Lecturer (Marketing), University of Auckland Business School | Taught and developed courses in marketing, mentored students, and began building a research portfolio in digital and service marketing. |
| 2001–2002 | Visiting Professor, Mahidol University (Thailand) | Expanded international teaching and research experience; contributed to global perspectives in marketing education and research. |
| 2003–2006 | Senior Lecturer (Digital), University of Auckland Business School | Advanced digital marketing curriculum, integrated new technologies, and mentored future marketing leaders. |
| 2007–2009 | Senior Lecturer (Digital), Manukau Institute of Technology | Coordinated and taught integrated marketing communications, brand strategy, and e-marketing. Led faculty research and programme innovation. |
| 2009–2011 | Head of Department, Management & Marketing, Unitec Institute of Technology | Led department transformation, expanded team, exceeded financial targets, and embedded Māori business principles in curriculum. Achieved 360% increase in customer retention and significant revenue growth. |
| 2009–2014 | Associate Professor (Digital), Unitec | Drove research in digital marketing, supervised postgraduate students, and built industry partnerships. Delivered high-impact social media and business campaigns. |
| 2016–2017 | Professor, Academic Head of Business, Auckland Institute of Studies | Oversaw 25+ staff, managed financial and operational strategy, and launched new customer-focused programmes. Achieved substantial departmental growth and profitability. |
| 2017–2018 | Senior Lecturer, Massey University | Designed and led MBA Digital Transformation curriculum. Integrated real-world digital business challenges and mentored postgraduate research. |
| 2018–Current | Permanent Academic, Eastern Institute of Technology | Lead teaching in applied masters programs, focusing on research and practice-based learning. |
| 1999–Present | Founder/Director, drrobertdavis.com (Consulting) | Strategy consultant for brand, digital, and customer engagement projects across healthcare, tech, government, and sustainability sectors. Led projects for Waitemata PHO, CarbonClick, F&P Healthcare, and more, delivering measurable business impact. |
| 2023–Present | Consulting Role: Te Whatu Ora & Strategic Projects | Developed operational resilience frameworks, integrated AI-driven risk assessment, and led digital transformation initiatives in healthcare and beyond. |
| 2024 | Director, Tai Poutini Polytechnic | Provided institutional leadership, focusing on strategy, people, and operational excellence. |
| 2025 (Planned) | Establish North American Centre for Digital Consumer Insights | Launching a research and industry hub in Vancouver, Canada, to advance digital consumer research and global collaboration. |
Timeline Highlights
- Corporate to Academic Transition: Early IBM experience provided a commercial and digital foundation, which you leveraged into pioneering academic research and teaching.
- Pioneering Digital Research: Your PhD and subsequent research set global benchmarks for digital marketing strategy and online consumer behavior.
- Academic Leadership: You transformed academic departments, drove curriculum innovation, and embedded indigenous knowledge, achieving both financial and educational success.
- Global and Cross-Sector Consulting: Your consulting has delivered strategic impact across sectors, influencing healthcare, sustainability, and technology organizations.
- Ongoing Influence: Current and future roles continue to shape the landscape of digital marketing research, education, and practice internationally.
This detailed timeline demonstrates not only your career progression but also the strategic, innovative, and transformative impact you have had at every stage—across academia, industry, and consulting.
drrobertdavis.com 