Dr Marian Makkar's research falls under consumer behaviour, specifically consumer culture theory (CCT). Methodologically, she is a qualitative researcher and utilises qualitative interviews, ethnography, netnography, observations, and projective techniques in her research. Based on her diverse background, Marian's research interest span consumer culture, luxury consumption behaviours and luxury brand management, design for value co-creation and the use of technology to enhance consumer worlds. She has published in leading journals such as Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services and presented her research at international academic conferences including the Association of Consumer Research, Consumer Culture Theory Consortium and Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy Conferences. She has received several academic awards and won university and nation-wide competitions for her research. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Marian worked in luxury retail as Marketing Manager of Alfred Dunhill Limited in Dubai. Her career also saw her working in public relations handling FMCG brands, beauty products and luxury automotive brands that spanned the Middle East and Africa and across New Zealand.
Professional interests:
- Service Quality
- Business Marketing Design
Academic positions
Lecturer in Marketing, Academic Supervisor, Researcher
Auckland University of Technology
, New Zealand
2014 – 2019
Non-academic positions
Co-Founder and Marketing Director
myTribeX Ltd
, New Zealand
2014 – 2016
Senior Account Manager (contracts)
Acumen Republic, bare.pr, Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance Studios
, Australia
2010 – 2012
Marketing Manager,
Alfred Dunhill Limited
, United Kingdom
2007 – 2010
Account Executive
JWT and Weber Shandwick
, United States
2005 – 2007
Supervisor projects
A Multi-dimensional Understanding of the Phenomenon of Transformative Branding within the Polarised Indian Marketplace
12 Jan 2023
Managing Divergence-Convergence Tension in Design Process
9 Aug 2022
“I Feel Complete When I’m Wearing My Vegan Boots” The Impacts of Veganism on Fashion Use and Consumption Through New Social Movement Theory: A Consumer Culture Investigation
6 Dec 2021
Meaning Making in Transitionary Times: A Historic-Cultural Analysis of Sustainability's Inclusion in The Luxury Electric Car Market
21 Nov 2019
Teaching interests
Market creation and evolution, consumer culture, space and place, luxury consumption, multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism, consumer resistance and activism, and the sharing economy
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.