Douglas J. Swanson, Ed.D APR

Prevalence and Success of Reverse Mentoring in Public Relations

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR et al. — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:43:31 PST

The article by professors Hays and Swanson points out the public relations workplace is changing rapidly and points out practitioners are being warned of the dangers of being “slow to catch on” when many of their clients already are familiar with social marketing technology and request its utilization in communication efforts. As a result, some public relations people turn to younger, more technologically adept individuals for training to bring the experienced professionals “up to speed.” This kind of training relationship is among the most common variants of what has come to be known as reverse mentoring. Although little is known about the extent to which public relations practitioners recognize and use reverse mentoring, this article represents a good start for practitioners and scholars alike to start taking a closer look at this interesting phenomenon.

‘Where all things are pure and of good report’: The doctrinal theology, religious practice, and media manipulation of the Christian Science Church

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:56:31 PST

The Church of Christ, Scientist is 21st century religious movement that is facing considerable challenges to its existence on many fronts. The church is bound to an unalterable religious theology and intractable management structure established by Mary Baker Eddy, its 19th century founder. For more than a century, the church has followed Mrs. Eddy’s example and successfully manipulated the media to control dissemination of information. Recent financial crisis and legal dissent has generated unprecedented dissent, both inside and outside Christian Science. This research looks at how church leadership struggles to address 21st century problems with its 19th century frameworks.

Journalism/ Mass Communication Program World Wide Web Sites: Content, Functionality and Promotional Value

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:54:18 PST

Despite the popularity of promotionally-oriented Web sites within journalism/ mass communication programs in higher education, there has been little examination of sites and their contents. Almost no research has focused on visual, informational, and operational enhancements, or how Web sites of different higher education programs in the discipline differ from each other. This research addresses some of the unanswered questions about how journalism/ mass communication Web sites use enhancements to communicate with online users.

News media narratives of interethnic isolation and confrontation in post-Andrew Dade County, Florida

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:45:11 PST

Hurricane Andrew was the costliest natural disaster to strike the United States, and the strongest hurricane since the 1920s. Andrew permanently changed the landscape by wiping out entire communities and scattering the people who lived in them. At least 20 deaths were directly attributed to the storm. Property damage was calculated into the tens of billions of dollars. We can lessen the impact of such a future event upon people by gaining a greater understanding of the communication patterns that develop among survivors after a hurricane or other natural disaster has passed--particularly, survivors of differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds. By understanding the isolation that these people perceived as a result of the disruption of their physical environment--and then noting their communicative interactions that followed--we may be able to develop more effective strategies to help future victims cope. This article examines nationally circulated newspaper accounts of the actions of members of differing ethnic groups in Dade County, Florida. Narratives studied were taken from nationally-circulated newspapers based in close proximity to the hurricane - damaged area: The Dallas Morning News, The New York Times, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Wall Street Journal. The author examined articles that appeared in the ten days immediately after the storm--between August 25, 1992 and September 3, 1992. Through the analysis and examination of the papers' narratives, the author shows show how the hurricane resulted in de facto social segregation of members of ethnic minority groups. The author shows how members of these minority groups were unable to communicate effectively and have their needs met by rescue and relief workers--and how these people found themselves engaged in conflict as a result of their isolation from effective electronic communication, isolation from the geographic centers of power, and isolation from the financial mainstream within which the ethnic majority competes to obtain services and supplies. By studying the narratives and examining the outcome of the ethnic isolation they identify, it is hoped that we can better understand why people find themselves in conflict after a natural disaster--and what we can do to minimize this isolation and conflict cycle in the future.

Marketing/ Communications Campaign Action Plan

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:38:07 PST

Effective communication is about relationships more so than it is about “getting the word out there” (a commonly used cliché). Communicating to build relationships isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does require strategically developed plan. This presentation lays out a seven-step action plan for a development effort that will result in a marketing/ communications effort developed by each county medical society.

Crisis Communication, Government/ Media Cooperation, and U.S. Military Public Affairs

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:34:45 PST

This was the PowerPoint presentation that accompanied my remarks made to the Delegation of The Information Office of Chongqing (China) Municipal People’s Government during the delegation's visit to California.

Research spotlight: Peer-to-peer mentoring works in the college newsroom

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:35:56 PST

The positive impacts of workplace mentoring have been observed in the professional world and extensively documented in the literature. However, very little research has addressed the use of mentoring in academic environments, and no published studies address use of peer-to-peer mentoring within college media. This small study shows mentoring is used in a variety of different student media workplace skill areas, and that students find it overwhelmingly successful. Many students prefer peer-to-peer mentoring to instruction from faculty or professional staff. Peer-to-peer mentoring has the potential to reduce the burdens felt by faculty and staff in a time of diminishing resources in higher education. Further research is strongly recommended, in an effort to learn more about how mentoring can support the education of students working in college media.

Crisis communication, government/ media cooperation, and U.S. military public affairs

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:26:47 PST

Presentation to the Delegation of The Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government (Nov. 2011)

The Student-Run Public Relations Firm in an Undergraduate Program: Reaching Learning and Professional Development Goals Through ‘Real World’ Experience

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:17:55 PST

A student-run public relations firm can offer a variety of benefits for an undergraduate program in which there are limited resources for professional involvement by students. The article is a case study that profiles a student-run firm launched in conjunction with a capstone course in a journalism department. Specific learning and professional development goals were established for students, the department, and for clients served by the firm. The article presents a brief summary of successes, along with a discussion of opportunities and challenges. General recommendations are offered for establishing a student-run public relations firm.

Mobs of romantic moths disrupt radio broadcasts

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:42:58 PST

In 1984-85, I worked as a correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal. The "romantic moths" story was picked up by the AP wire and went world-wide. I heard the story on National Public Radio. I was told the story was also picked up by the BBC. Several people who lived in different parts of the country told me they read or heard the story. It was exciting for me (not even 24 years old) to know my story got so much play.

BBC follows Buddy Holly trail to Clovis

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:39:50 PST

In 1984-85, I worked as a correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal. I covered a variety of subjects - local government, politics, police & courts, business, etc. - mostly breaking news, but occasionally feature stories. This is one of the nicest feature stories I was able to do. I will never forget what it was like to be inside the Norm Petty Studio in downtown Clovis. Going in there was like stepping back in time - the piano and recording equipment at the ready, just like Buddy Holly was going to step through the curtain and sing again. It was amazing. (I wish we could have used some photos of the studio to illustrate the story.)

Railway collision injures 2

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:36:27 PST

The Final Countdown to Y2K: Is Your Small Business Ready?

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:02:01 PDT

Spring Mall and Home Shows: Finding Your Competitive Edge at Smaller Retailer Events

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:59:50 PDT

Professional Development Seminars: Scouting Out Your Best Opportunities

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:57:23 PDT

Planning + Execution + Follow-Up = Great Trade Show Performance

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:54:59 PDT

Advertising Strategies for Success

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:49:19 PDT

What You Need to Know About UPCs: Applying Bar Code Technology to Boost Marketing & Cut Costs

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:45:37 PDT

Workplace Safety is Everyone's Concern

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:41:53 PDT

How To Improve Your Professional Credibility

Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D APR — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:38:03 PDT