UNF: Media Week 2024

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Media Week 2024

The School of Communication's 12th annual Media Week will connect our undergraduate and graduate students with professionals in Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Digital Video Production, Public Relations, Communication Studies, and Communication Management. Below is the schedule of events and the list of speakers.

To reserve your spot in those Media Week events that are open to all students, register here:

Please note that most of the Media Week events are embedded in courses, which may be full, so please contact the teacher (the event moderator) of the particular event if you want to attend. They can tell you if they have room for you.

Monday, October 28

9 to 10:15 a.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 2001: Data as Driver of Positive Change

A communication professional who works in data analytics, non-profit fundraising, and other positions that depend on micro/macrodata to make decisions will discuss using data to improve services.

Sarah Henderson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, United Way of Northeast Florida

Moderator: Dr. Sydney Brammer, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication

Noon to 1:15 p.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 2001: Relationships Across Communication Concentrations

A discussion about the commonalities and differences among communication fields (advertising, digital video production, journalism, public relations). When and how do the various fields work together? When may they be at odds? What are the best ways to engage diverse audiences?

Ben Kramer, Digital Media Director, Cox Media Group
John Palmer, Local Sales Manager, Cox Media Group
Justin Stephen, Local Sales Manager, Cox Media Group

Moderator: Dr. Sydney Brammer, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication

Noon to 1:15 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1013: The Business of First Coast Video Production

Management-level representatives from local video production businesses will discuss trends in the industry.

Matthew Head, Senior Multimedia Producer, Mayo Clinic
Gabriel Laserna, Senior Producer and Editor, Nectar Studios
Tristan Morhous, Videographer and Editor, Gemstone Media, Inc.
David Zuckerman, former President, Easy Edit Video, Inc.

Moderator: Dr. David Deeley, Associate Instructor of Multimedia Journalism and Production

1:30 to 2:45 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1013: Digital Advertising, Digital Ad Buying and Programmatic

Courtney Killen, Senior Manager of Programmatic for Cox Media Group, showcases the fastest growing form of ad spend.

Moderator: Dee Colvin, Associate Instructor of Advertising and Design

3 to 4:15 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1011: The Evolving Broadcast Newsroom

Newsroom executives from local stations give advice to future journalists and discuss the need to engage diverse audiences.

Jason Balthazar, News Director, Action News Jax
Kristine Bellino, Vice President, News and Information Programming, Curtis Media, and News Director of WOKV
Rich Jones, News Director, Cox Media Group

Moderator: Dr. David Deeley, Associate Instructor of Multimedia Journalism and Production

Tuesday, October 29

1:40 to 2:55 p.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 1011: Content Creation for Small Businesses: Photography and Videography

A discussion about how to plan and create social media content that your audience will love. Also discussed will be the best ways to engage diverse audiences.

Holly Bishop, Social Media Manager and Podcast Producer, Axia Public Relations
Jason Pratt, Prattify marketing and advertising agency, and former communications specialist at Mayo Clinic and production specialist at the Florida Times-Union

Moderator: Dr. Nataliya Roman, Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism and Production

1:40 to 2:55 p.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 1015: Digital Journalism/Starting from Scratch

How to start an online newspaper/newsletter that focuses on local news and how to engage diverse audiences.

Bill Delaney, Co-owner of The Jaxson and editor of Edible Northeast Florida Magazine
Jamie Rich, Editor, Flamingo Magazine

Moderator: Tricia Booker, Instructor of Multimedia Journalism

3:05 to 4:20 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1015: Political Journalism

How to cover candidates when misinformation is rampant, the importance of sourcing, distinguishing between coverage and opinion, how to communicate to diverse audiences.

Will Brown, Reporter, WJCT Public Media
John Daigle, Principal at Daigle Creative, a political analyst for First Coast News, and a former political reporter and editor
Nate Monroe, Florida statewide columnist for the Florida Times-Union and USA Today Network

Moderator: Tricia Booker, Instructor of Multimedia Journalism

Wednesday, October 30

9 to 10:15 a.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 1015: Batter up: A Primer in Pitching to Clients

Conversation and advice on how to sell clients on strategy, how to deal with an unhappy client, and how to add small touches to make presentations pop.

Dan Croft, Director, Client Services, ruckus.advertising + public relations
Jonathan Daniel, Cox Media Group sales and marketing

Moderator: Dr. Rachel Riggs, Assistant Professor of Public Relations

10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 2001: What's New and Next for Public Relations Professionals?

Panelists will discuss the next phase of communication for public relations professionals and how students need to prepare.

Maria Coppola, CEO and President, Coppola Public Relations
Chris Obarski, Senior Account Manager, Dalton Agency
Mellisa Soehono, PR Account Manager, Dalton Agency

Moderator: Dr. Stephynie Perkins, Associate Professor of Public Relations

12 to 1 p.m., Osprey Cafe (1st floor of Building 16/Osprey Commons): Lunch with the Professionals

Professionals and students will be matched by area of interest to have lunch together at UNF's cafeteria as part of an informal networking experience. Everyone pays for themselves at the cafeteria ($15). Here's a .

Carole Banks, Vice President, Research & Planning, Sheperd
Holly Bishop, Social Media Manager and Podcast Producer, Axia Public Relations
David Clark, Executive Director, Downtown Ecumenical Services Council
Maria Coppola, CEO and President, Coppola Public Relations
Tom Fridley, Director of Production, Promotion & Community Relations, 1010XL/WJXL AM & FM
Sarah Henderson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, United Way of Northeast Florida
Jud Heussler, Director of Programming & Branding, WAPE and WEZI
Chris Obarski, Senior Account Manager, Dalton Agency
Jason Pratt, Prattify marketing and advertising agency, and former communications specialist at Mayo Clinic and production specialist at the Florida Times-Union
Lori Pugh, CEO, Woven Path Consulting

1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 2001: Advertising and Public Relations Breakout

Conversation and advice from professionals about the advertising and PR fields.

Carole Banks, Vice President, Research & Planning, Sheperd
Lori Pugh, CEO, Woven Path Consulting
Stacey Steiner, Director of Brand Activation, Prattify

Moderator: Dee Colvin, Associate Instructor of Advertising and Design

1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Bldg. 14D, TV Studio: Digital Video Production and Multimedia Journalism Breakout

Conversation and advice from professionals about the digital video production and multmedia journalism fields.

Tristan Morhous, Videographer and Editor, Gemstone Media, Inc.
Lianna Norman, General Assignment Reporter, Palm Beach Post and USA Today Network
Marcel Robinson, Sports Reporter, Action News Jax

Moderator: Frank Goodin, Associate Instructor of Digital Video Production

1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1015, Creative Social Media Tactics and Brand Storytelling

PR professionals will share tips on immersive brand stories and how to measure success with metrics.

Holly Bishop, Social Media Manager and Podcast Producer, Axia Public Relations
Kristen Head, Shared Communications Manager, JEA

Moderator: Dr. Rachel Riggs, Assistant Professor of Public Relations

6 to 8 p.m. Bldg. 14D, Room 1016: Generative AI in the Advertising and PR Industries: Use Cases and Concerns

How do practitioners define the uses of generative AI tools and measure its impact in the communication industry? Lori Pugh, CEO of Woven Path Consulting, will talk about the potential and perils.

Moderator: Dr. Chunsik Lee, Associate Professor of Public Relations

6 to 8 p.m. – Alumni reception. Location: Mellow Mushroom-Town Center.

Reminiscing and networking with alumni, current students, and faculty.
Location: 9734 Deer Lake Ct., Ste 1, Jacksonville, FL 32246.

Thursday, October 31

10:30 to 11:45 a.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 2014: Alumni Panel

How ��prepares its graduates for the workforce. Alumni will describe their positions and offer advice on how students should make the most of their ��experience. Q&A will follow.

Toni Boudreaux, Director of Operations, The Brumos Collection
Catherine Cavallo, Multimedia Director, Jacksonville Sharks
Lianna Norman, General Assignment Reporter, Palm Beach Post and USA Today Network
Karen Phillips, Managing Director of Operations, The Tebow Group
Jason Pratt, Prattify marketing and advertising agency, and former communications specialist at Mayo Clinic and production specialist at the Florida Times-Union
Marcel Robinson, Sports Reporter, Action News Jax

Moderator: Dr. John Parmelee, Director of the School of Communication

3 to 4 p.m., Spinnaker Media office in the Student Union: Professional Journalists Meet Spinnaker Journalists.

Professionals will tour Spinnaker facilities and visit with Spinnaker staff to offer professional insights and answer questions.

Travis Gibson, Digital Executive Producer, News4Jax
Carianne Luter, Digital Media Manager, WJXT-TV
Lianna Norman, General Assignment Reporter, Palm Beach Post and USA Today Network