Know-How Exchange : Branding

I think the decision should be based on what you want to do with your life. Where do you want to be in 5 years (or 10 years, etc.)?

Since you are research oriented already, you might want to talk to some folks who are already doing what you think you'd like to do. Ask them what path they followed to get there, what they think their most important skills and experiences have been along the way, what they might have done differently with the benefit of hindsight, etc.

If you create a well-crafted semi-structured interview format and ask high-gain questions of the right people, you will get the answer to your own question without ever asking it directly. (People usually give advice that matches their own behavior. That's not what you want.)

If you simply ask your questions, listen carefully to the responses and take detailed notes, you'll find that a half-dozen interviews will give you the kind of input you need.

Good luck.

P.S. Having a PhD in brand management is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it suggests you are very serious about brand management as a discipline. On the other hand, it suggests you are more of an academic in a career space characterized by rapid decision-making, knowing when to trust your intuition, strong analytical skills, and other characteristics not usually associated with academia.