AIPMM Announces First Graduating Class of Certified Product Managers (CPM)

The Association of International Product Marketing and Management awards CPM credential to leaders in product management

Sacramento, CALIF. (PRWEB) March 30, 2004 --The tests are completed, the pencils turned in, the desks are empty. Now the results are in. Fourteen experienced product managers were granted the title Certified Product Manager (CPM) by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management.

The candidates completed the exam at the AIPMM Product Management Educational Conference in San Francisco, California and represented companies as diverse as Dow Chemical, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, and Fidelity Investments to name a few.

The Certified Product Manager (CPM) and Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM) credential granted by the AIPMM crosses industry barriers as it focuses on competencies and skills considered best practices throughout many disciplines. Companies today realize the value a well-trained product professional adds to their bottom line. By capitalizing on market opportunities, contributing to sales targets, developing and executing a strategic plan a product professional is the driving force behind a product's success. The CPM or CPMM credential ensures these professionals have not only a working knowledge of best practices but practical application skills as well.

As a 12 year veteran of product management, I have managed products through the entire life cycle. I see there is a direct benefit from holding clearly defined levels of competency in critical areas" said Therese Padilla, President and Founder of the AIPMM. By acquiring the knowledge and demonstrating their competency through certification, CPMs and CPMMs establish a competitive edge for both themselves and their products" said Padilla.

There has long been a need for a standardized set of critical competencies for product managers and product marketing managers. The AIPMM certification program sets the standard with proven methods and processes, rather than relying on any particular methodology," added Padilla.

Through the CPM and CPMM program, individuals have the opportunity to pursue continuing education, and increase industry involvement and industry-wide recognition by achieving the Certified designation. Candidates for certification must be members in good standing of the AIPMM, have a high level of work and educational experience, and pass a written exam. To maintain their certification, CPMs and CPMMs must periodically refresh their knowledge in specific competencies and skills and provide documentation of professional development. Only those individuals who successfully complete the application process and continue to be in compliance with all program requirements may call themselves Certified Product Managers or Certified Product Marketing Managers.

Since its founding in 1998 the AIPMM has established itself as a valuable resource for product professionals with information, news, training, placement assistance, and research data. With a member base of over 3,000 individuals and companies spanning the globe, the AIPMM membership represents the entire spectrum of the product marketing and management industry including pharmaceutical, technology, health care, and automotive, as well as providers of products and services. In a detailed survey, respondents overwhelmingly requested the AIPMM to provide certification opportunities.

For more information on the AIPMM or the Certified Product Manager or Certified Product Marketing Manager program go to http://www.aipmm.com

About AIPMM

The Association of International Product Marketing and Management is dedicated to serving the needs of product professionals and their employers by providing focused and strategic information, training and networking. There are currently over 3,000 members worldwide. AIPMM's team continues to strive to identify, unify, support and represent the global community of product marketing management professionals utilizing state-of the-art the technologies such as online electronic publishing as well as the traditional methods of networking, conferences and seminars. AIPMM also continues to increase the ways in which product management contributes to the achievement of corporate business objectives through many corporate services and training partnerships. For more information on issues concerning product managers, product marketing managers, and their companies visit http://www.aipmm.com.