The Belk College of Business NEXT speaker series returns Sept. 17 and 18 with an inside look at the role of analytics in the 2012 presidential election, and how lessons learned on the campaign trail can be used in business.
Andrew Claster, who served as deputy chief analytics officer for the 2012 Obama campaign, will discuss “The Analytics Effect” Sept. 18 at the Westin Hotel. The event begins with networking and registration at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast and Claster’s remarks at 8 a.m. Tickets for the presentation, which is open to the public, are $25 each or $175 for a corporate table of eight. To register, visit the Belk College webpage.
Claster will also speak to undergraduate and graduate students and the university community on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Visit the NEXT webpage for details.
Claster played a key role on the Obama analytics team, which consisted of more than 50 analysts, statistical modelers and engineers who used predictive modeling, data analysis and technology to revolutionize political polling and individual-level voter targeting.
He previously served as a vice president at the marketing and consulting firm Penn, Schoen & Berland, where he developed microtargeting and communications strategies as for clients including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ehud Barak, Leonel Fernandez, Verizon, Alcatel, Microsoft, BP, KPMG, TXU and the Washington Nationals baseball team.
Claster completed his undergraduate studies in political science at Yale University and his graduate training in economics at the London School of Economics.
This event is part of the Belk College’s NEXT speaker series, which focuses on emerging trends in business. The Belk College has a major role in UNC Charlotte’s new “Big Data” initiatives, which include academic and executive programs in data science and business analytics and a university/industry research consortium.
While Claster’s work in the campaign had a political bent, his presentation will focus less on politics and more on how analytics can strengthen relationships drive business strategy, according to Belk College Dean Steve Ott.
“The election provides an interesting case study on how experts in data science and business can work together effectively,” Ott said. “We hope that attendees will come away with practical lessons they can put to use in their own businesses.”