MDJ | Around the Sphere

Some watch the Super Bowl for the game, some for the halftime show... but 20% of viewers watch the Super Bowl specifically for the commercials. Media and Journalism alumnus Mike Jackson, ‘78, joined MDJ as a professional-in-residence this spring to teach Advertising Strategy Development and Messaging and Communication – and some of his experience includes working on three advertisements for the Super Bowl. On this episode of Around the Sphere, Jackson sits down with advertising junior Christy Cecil before this year’s big game to talk about working on those advertisements, why the Super Bowl serves as a monumental time to premiere advertisements and managing the media buzz that comes with creating a controversial commercial.

Learn more about Mike Jackson at: https://www.kent.edu/mdj/news/alumnus-mike-jackson-helps-advertisers-navigate-americas-changing-demographics

Also in today’s episode, hear from two MDJ students who work for TeleProductions and how their experiences covering live sports for ESPN+ have prepared them for opportunities post grad. More about TeleProductions here: https://www.kent.edu/teleproductions

Lastly, learn about how Black History Month originated here on Kent State’s campus in 1970. To view this month’s celebration calendar and learn more about #BHMBirthPlace, visit https://www.kent.edu/smc/black-history-month.

In the Spring 2022 premiere of Around the Sphere, senior journalism major Maddy Haberberger sits down with MDJ alum, Anna Huntsman, Class of 2019 who reports for Ideastream Public Media, to discuss post-graduation life and what to expect while on the job hunt. Anna shares the ins-and-outs of searching for a job that is right for you – and why it’s okay if that dream job doesn’t happen right away.

Also in this episode, learn more about how Kent State has just been awarded the highest recognition for research universities, the prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification.

On this semester’s last episode of Around the Sphere, we’re looking inside the November 1st PRSSA meeting focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace. Learn tips to help make sure that everyone feels a sense of belonging while sitting at your table, and how to find a career that authentically values diversity and inclusion.

Hear from experts AJ Leu, CCI’s Director of Diversity Initiatives; Daria Gaither, Communications Manager at FedEx Custom Critical; Phylicia McCorkle, Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Major League Baseball; Amanda Hayes, Director of Corporate Communications, Diversity and Inclusion at JoAnn Stores; and Joy Smith, Inclusion and Talent Manager at Marcus Thomas LLC.

Also on today’s episode, learn more about student photography organization Focal Point, and the history of student-powered design agency Ideabase.

On today's episode of Around the Sphere, we’re catching up with MDJ student organization Franklin Advertising to hear about their recent trip to New York City for the annual Advertising Week conference. Learn about the team’s key insights, what they did, who they met, and how the school of Media and Journalism prepared them for the experience.

Also on today’s episode, learn about the opportunities available for all students at MDJ’s award-winning television station, TV2; and learn the history behind the namesakes of Franklin and Taylor Hall.

On this special episode of Around the Sphere, we are taking a close look at the recent tragedy on the set of the feature film “Rust” after a prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

We hear from Digital Media Production Lecturer Christopher Knoblock about set safety and how the incident should have been prevented; Public Relations Associate Professor Stephanie Smith about public relations implications of the event and managing crisis communications; and Journalism Assistant Professor Dr. Gretchen Hoak about ethical journalistic approaches and how the story is framed in the news media, as well as how the trauma from the event can impact the story.

Hear from three Media and Journalism professors about the interdisciplinary lessons we can learn from this tragic event.

In this episode of Around the Sphere, Digital Media Production Professor Scott Hallgren sits down with senior DMP student Addy Birkes to talk about Professor Hallgren’s journey as a musician, sound editor and composer for award-winning films before becoming a professor. As his IMDb page states, his scores have “served a diverse and successful group of independent films and television programs and have, received critical acclaim.” Also in this episode, hear from PRSSA Vice President of Professional Relations Kayla Polansky about this semester’s upcoming events and how to get involved.

Learn more about Kent State’s Digital Media Production program by kent.edu/mdj/digital-media-production.

On this episode of Around the Sphere, the Honorable Mention-winning 2021 Bateman Blue team sits down with Bateman advisor and Professor of Public Relations, Stefanie Moore, to discuss their campaign on Civility in PRSSA's National Bateman Competition. Hear about the team’s successes, challenges, and how it felt to get that exciting “Congrats!” email.

Plus, hear from Student Media Sales Manager Jenna Gobrecht for updates from the Advertising office and learn more about MDJ’s history.

Apply for Student Media Leadership: https://kentstatestudentmedia.com/involvement or reach out to Kevin Dilley [email protected] with any questions.

Email us with comments, audio, feedback at [email protected]

In our inaugural episode of Around the Sphere, we hear voices from all around Franklin Hall – and the world. Media and Journalism Director Emily Metzgar introduces MDJ and its majors and opportunities, as well as our goals with Around the Sphere. We hear from Kevin Dilley, Director of Student Media, about the fundamentals and opportunities for everyone within student media. This episode’s feature focuses on Humphrey Fellow Ruslanas Irzikevicious and his recent visit to MDJ to discuss Disinformation and help share knowledge about stopping the spread of misinformation. Ruslanas publishes two news sites in English – LithuaniaTribune.com and the English section of 15min.lt. Learn about his history as a Lithuanian journalist on the frontlines fighting disinformation and propaganda to defend his home country. To wrap up, Podcast Project Manager Kimmy Daniels and Advisor Luke Armour tell you more about the Sphere we’re going around.

SECTION ONE: Emily Metzgar introduction 0:39 – 1:54

In our inaugural episode of Around the Sphere, Director of Media and Journalism Emily Metzgar takes a moment to introduce MDJ and its majors and opportunities. She also discusses the goals of Around the Sphere – to connect with friends, alumni, supporters and those who might be “outside the sphere” to tell the stories of what happens within MDJ.

SECTION TWO: KEVIN DILLEY INTRODUCES KENT STATE STUDENT MEDIA 1:58 – 6:24

Director of Kent State Student Media Kevin Dilley introduces student media and its mission statement, as well as the opportunities within student media. Student media encourages excellence, leadership and accountability to help students become “innovative, ethical and skilled media producers in a diverse and global society.” Listen to learn how you can get involved in student media as early as your first year, with over 400 students this year across 10 media partners on over 30 platforms. Student media utilizes digital, social, broadcast and print media to help students find their place within Kent, within MDJ, and within student media.

SECTION THREE: HUMPHREY FELLOW RUSLANAS IRZIKEVICIUS VISITS MDJ TO DISCUSS DISINFORMATION AND COMBATING MISINFORMATION 6:27 – 16:03

Humphrey Fellow Ruslanas Irzikevicious visited the school of Media and Journalism the week of September 20, 2021 to meet with students and faculty to discuss the topic of Disinformation. A journalist from Lithuainia, Ruslanas has been a first-hand witness to the fall of the Soviet Union and experienced Lithuania transform from a dictatorship into a liberal democracy. In this time, he has worked to make news more accessible to English-speaking people to combat the disinformation and propaganda about Lithuania coming from non-Lithuanian sources. He publishes two news sites in English – LithuaniaTribune.com and the English section of 15min.lt. In his time at Kent State, Ruslanas met with student organizations like TV2 and spoke with faculty about free speech, the first amendment, countering disinformation and political polarization. For more information about Ruslanas and his visit, read the upcoming article in MDJ’s alumni-focused magazine, Jargon.

SECTION FOUR: FRANKLIN HALL FUN FACT: WHY AROUND THE SPHERE? 16:07 – 17:54

Wondering what sphere we’re going around? Podcast Project Manager, Kimmy Daniels, and Luke Armour, Podcast Advisor, discuss the meaning behind the art that this podcast was named after. The art that we’re named after is titled StarSphere 2010 by Susan Ewing http://studiosusanewing.com/public-work/starsphere/, which sits on the sidewalk of Esplanade Circle in front of Franklin Hall. The piece is a physical embodiment of the first amendment and reflective of the importance of the media.

SECTION FIVE: SEND US FEEDBACK! 17:55 – 18:16

Please send us comments, suggestions, feedback or just say hello to [email protected].

Welcome to Around the Sphere, the podcast of the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University. Produced and recorded by MDJ’s students, faculty and staff just for you.