Samford University's Brock School of Business has launched the Brock Consultancy, a faculty-led, student consulting agency that provides marketing research and consulting services to local businesses and organizations.
The Brock Consultancy connects local businesses with Samford’s marketing students for semester-long research projects, delivering insights at no cost to partners. Projects are designed to meet client needs and may include market research, customer and competitor analysis, branding strategy and data-driven decision support. Working in teams under faculty supervision, the agency provides students with an outlet to apply classroom concepts to active consulting engagements.
“The Brock Consultancy bridges the gap between classroom theory and marketplace reality,” said Mary Harrison, assistant professor of marketing and faculty director of the Brock Consultancy. “Our students don’t just learn about marketing research; they do it, for businesses that want a fresh perspective.”
The initiative formalizes consulting projects that have taken place within Brock School of Business for years. Faculty members have long incorporated client-based projects into the Marketing Research course, giving students the opportunity to work with organizations in Birmingham and beyond. A few past projects have included Trak Shak, Birmingham Legion and Birmingham Squadron. By officially launching the Brock Consultancy, a now centralized structure and identity exists for these partnerships while expanding opportunities for both students and clients.
“We have long stressed a focus on experiential learning in Brock School of Business,” said Matt Mazzei, chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Management and Marketing and Brock Family Chair in Entrepreneurship. “We’ve worked with many organizations in Birmingham and beyond over the years, bringing real-world experiences and opportunities to our students. With the formal launch of the Brock Consultancy, we can better brand and formalize these relationships, helping to celebrate student successes and create new experiences to build skills while contributing to partner organizations.”
Senior marketing student Sam Eddins reflected on his experience working directly with Trak Shak, a premier Birmingham-based running store. “Working with Birmingham businesses like Trak Shak was both enjoyable and eye-opening,” he said. “Seeing the ins and outs of their day-to-day operations, their plans for future growth and their work with local clients was extremely impactful for me and my classmates. I was also grateful for the opportunity to contribute after seeing all the ways they give back to the Birmingham, Homewood and Samford community.”
Through the Brock Consultancy, students gain experience conducting professional research, working with clients and delivering actionable recommendations. Organizations benefit from fresh perspectives and thoughtful analysis while supporting student learning through applied business projects. The initiative also is a testament to Samford’s national rankings including #3 for career preparation and #7 for student learning opportunities by The Wall Street Journal (2026).
The Brock Consultancy is open to any local business or organization seeking collaborative, faculty-guided and student-led consulting support.
