Carden Presents on Route 66 in New Mexico, Colorado

In February, Carden traveled to Albuquerque, N.M., where she made a presentation to the Southwest/Texas Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association.  Her research, "Sign of the Times," discussed the ways individuals have branded Route 66 during its 79-year-history, as a road of novelty and escape to decline and nostalgia.  In March, she addressed the Society for the Interdisciplinary Study in Social Imagery in Colorado Springs.  Her latest research, "Branding the Main Streets of America," compared how state tourism boards are marketing Route 66 as well as two other historical highways, the Lincoln Highway and Route 40/The National Road.

New Encyclopedia of Public Relations Features Entries by Carden

The newly-released Encyclopedia of Public Relations features six entries authored by Carden.  She is among the contributors from around the world who will are featured in the 1,000-page reference book that explores the evolution of the public relations field, with examples from history describing events, changing practices, and the key figures who developed and expanded the profession. The two-volume set, edited by Robert Heath of the University of Houston and published by SAGE Publications, is the first and most authoritative compilation of the subject.  Carden authored entries on writing, localizing news releases, media conferences, pyramid style writing, persuasion theory, and proactivity and reactivity.

Post-9/11 Research Featured in Travel Journal

Carden's research on the use of public relations and persuasive appeals in the travel and tourism industry after Sept. 11, 2001, was recently featured in the Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing.  An exploratory study of 45 public relations practitioners in the travel and tourism industry found entertainment and humor appeals, as well as those addressing audience self-interest, are increasing, and that the role of public relations in the marketing mix has increased, on average, by 10 percent.

Carden Featured at RIT Colloquium

Carden was invited to address a colloquium at the Rochester Institute of Technology in January.  The colloquium series is sponsored by the university's Department of Communication. Her presentation, "Using Apologia to Manage Your Reputation During a Crisis," looked at the various response strategies organizations can use during a crisis. 

Carden Addresses AEJMC Convention in Toronto

Carden participated in two panel discussions at the 2004 convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) held August 3 - 7 in Toronto. Carden discussed the effect of SARS on the world's travel and tourism industry in "How Countries Managed Their National Reputation in the Face of Crisis."  Another panel presentation, "Small Towns with Big Time PR Action," focused on how public relations students at SUNY Fredonia are obtaining real-life experience in a rural area where internship opportunities are limited.  The public relations capstone course at SUNY Fredonia, Public Relations Management, has gained attention because of its service learning component that partners students with area nonprofit organizations needing public relations assistance.  Groups of students act as public relations agencies to develop complete public relations plans, which the organizations can then implement.  In April, Carden presented information on the course at the 5th annual Midwest Conference on the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching at Indiana University South Bend.

The AEJMC exists to promote the highest possible standards for education in journalism and mass communication, to encourage the widest possible range of communication research, to encourage the implementation of a multicultural society in the classroom and curriculum, and to defend and maintain freedom of expression in day-to-day living.  The AEJMC's annual convention features the latest in technology as well as special sessions on teaching, research and public service in the various components of journalism and mass communication -- from advertising and public relations to radio and television journalism to media management and newspapers. Workshops deal with incorporating diversity in the curriculum, teaching media management, and professionals in the classroom.

New Textbook Now Available

Public Relations Worktext: A Writing and Planning Resource by Joseph Zappala and Carden is now available from Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

According to Erlbaum's Web site, "Authors Joseph M. Zappala and Ann R. Carden offer a clear and engaging introduction to the writing activities involved in public relations practice, resulting in a valuable resource for professionals as well as a practical classroom text for students planning careers in public relations." Visit www.erlbaum.com for more information.