Monday 19 February 2007, 18.30 – 20.30, The Romanian Cultural Centre, 8th floor, 54-62 Regent Street, London W1B 5RE; Tel. 020 7439 4052, ext 102; e-mail: mail@ratiufamilyfoundation.com; Entry is free but booking is essential. “Does advertising add to product knowledge? Does advertising build up confidence in the institution of advertising as we perceive it in the Western world, where it has become part of the culture? Are they sceptical of the instruments used by marketers to promote their products or do they perceive them as fair and sincere? The presentation will provide on overview of the advertising landscape in Central and Eastern Europe with a particular emphasis on the New EU Member States. A discussion of consumer behaviour and marketing communications strategies will follow. Key themes of the presentation will include consumer lifestyles, attitudes to advertising, personal uses and perceived socio-economic effects of advertising.” (Dr Dan Petrovici ) Dr Dan Petrovici is a Lecturer in Marketing at Kent Business School . With an academic background in statistics, sociology and international marketing, he pursued a career in market research. His industrial experience was with FESSEL GfK (Research Manager) and as a consultant to advertising agencies in Eastern Europe (Optimedia, Ignis, Eurogama Invest). Research interests include consumer behaviour, health preventive behaviour, consumer attitudes to advertising and food marketing with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe . He has published in international consumer, marketing and consumer policy journal such as Journal of Consumer Policy, Journal of International Food and Agribusiness Marketing, Food Policy, Cahiers d'Économie et Sociologie Rurales. Recent papers include presentations at the Academy of Marketing , the European Association of Agricultural Economists and European Academy of Marketing and the Institute of Direct Marketing . He is Visiting Professor at University of Metz ( France ). Details on: www.kent.ac.uk/kbs/staff_detail.php?page_id=15&ID=62.