DemandTec Partners With University of Minnesota Duluth to Unveil Retail Marketing Analytics Program

SAN FRANCISCO and DULUTH, Minn., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DemandTec, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMAN), the collaborative optimization network for retailers and consumer products companies, today announced at DemandBetter 2011 a partnership with the Labovitz School of Business & Economics (LSBE) at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) to support the university's new program training students with skills for careers in the retail and consumer products industries.

The Retail Marketing Analytics Program (ReMAP), pending approval of UMD's Board of Regents, will provide undergraduate UMD students with an educational curriculum that can be directly applied to rewarding careers in the retail and consumer products industries.  With a supporting network of retail and consumer products corporate sponsors, ReMAP students have the opportunity to build a strong foundation of statistical analysis know-how and directly apply advanced marketing techniques to the real world.  Participation in the program will give students the skills necessary to make more strategic merchandising and marketing decisions throughout their career.

"We are excited to partner with an industry leader like DemandTec to help make the Retail Marketing Analytics Program a reality for LSBE," said Dr. Kjell R. Knudsen, Dean of LSBE at UMD.  "The program fills a large and previously unaddressed void in the retail and consumer products industries for early-career, analytical talent.  Our program is designed to attract and nurture the future leaders of the retail sector."

As the first program of its kind, ReMAP will be offered as an undergraduate major and minor area of study through LSBE at UMD.  The ReMAP program provides core competencies that are necessary for a successful career in the retail marketing industry including marketing research, consumer behavior, marketing analytics, customer relationship and database marketing, analytics practicum, database management and design, and applications of economic analysis.  Highlights of ReMAP include:

• Specialized coursework designed and supported by faculty from the Marketing, Management Information Systems, and Economics departments
• Use of the new Retail Marketing Analytics Lab to experiment with datasets and sophisticated software tools, featuring simulations of DemandTec analytical software and services
• Active learning opportunities including sponsorships with local retailers and consumer products companies which allow students to apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to the real world through work experience with internships
• A full-time Program Director teaching courses, mentoring students, and running the internship program

"Talent knowledgeable in marketing analytics is in high demand.  Yet, the availability of individuals with these specialized and highly coveted skills is scarce.  By starting the ReMAP Program, the Labovitz School of Business & Economics at UMD is creating a pipeline of local talent that would be a great benefit to companies, including Supervalu," said Diane Harper, Group Vice President of Consumer Insights and Strategy at Supervalu Inc.  "I proudly support ReMAP to help educate and inspire young talent just beginning their careers in the retail industry."

"DemandTec and LSBE at UMD share a common goal to ensure the future leaders of the retail and consumer products industries acquire the skills they need to be competitive in today's workforce," said Dan Fishback, President and Chief Executive Officer of DemandTec.  "We are excited to make this commitment to a program that will provide students a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge that will benefit them and our industry, specifically our Minnesota-based customers Best Buy, General Mills, Target, Nash Finch, Advance Auto Parts, and Schwan's, for years to come."

To learn more about the program and how to become a sponsor, please visit the ReMAP Microsite.

About the Labovitz School of Business & Economics

Approximately 2100 undergraduate and 70 graduate students are currently enrolled in the school's programs.  Both the undergraduate and graduate programs are AACSB-International accredited.  The school is housed in a brand new, state-of-the art building. There are currently 48 full-time faculty members in five academic departments:  Accounting, Economics, Finance and Management Information Sciences, Management Studies, and Marketing.  The School offers the Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA degrees. Regional outreach is accomplished primarily through activities of the School's Center for Economic Development, the Center for Economic Education, and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.  

About University of Minnesota Duluth

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is a comprehensive regional university. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 bachelor degrees in 74 majors. In addition to the two-year program at the School of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy program, UMD offers graduate programs in 24 different fields, participates in three all-university PhD programs (one of which is located primarily on the UMD campus), and cooperates significantly in the delivery of six Twin Cities-based PhD programs. UMD consistently ranks among the top midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue. Providing an alternative to both large research universities and small liberal arts colleges, UMD attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university.

About DemandTec

DemandTec (NASDAQ:DMAN) connects more than 350 retailers and consumer products companies, providing common solutions to transact, interact, and collaborate on core merchandising and marketing activities.  DemandTec's services enable customers to achieve their sales volume, revenue, shopper loyalty, and profitability objectives.  DemandTec customers have collaborated on nearly four million trade deals.  DemandTec software and analytical services utilize a science-based platform to model and understand consumer behavior.  DemandTec customers include leading retailers and consumer products companies such as Ahold USA, Best Buy, ConAgra Foods, Delhaize America, General Mills, H-E-B Grocery Co., The Home Depot, Hormel Foods, Monoprix, PETCO, Safeway, Sara Lee, Target, Walmart, and WH Smith.

DemandTec Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding DemandTec's expectations, hopes, plans, intentions or strategies, including statements about the benefits of DemandTec's solutions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include those described in DemandTec's documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to DemandTec as of the date hereof, and DemandTec assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Media Contact:
Karen Cohen, DemandTec, Inc.
(650) 645-7126
[email protected]

Investor Contact:
Tim Shanahan, DemandTec, Inc.
(650) 645-7103
[email protected]

DemandTec and the DemandTec logo are registered trademarks of DemandTec, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE DemandTec, Inc.