32nd Annual Communications Week

Professionals Share Real-World Experiences With Students

April 20, 2010

Students from throughout the campus can learn about the real world of advertising, public relations, television and journalism during the College of Communications’ 32nd Annual Communications Week

The Monday, April 26, through Sunday, May 2 event will feature film screenings, speaker presentations and other special events that run the gamut of the communications field.

More than 70 talks by agency professionals and 20 special events have been planned with most events taking place in the university’s Titan Student Union.

Tuesday, April 27

Owning You — Becoming Accountable for Your Life Choices

1-2 p.m., Titan Theatre Jack Mierop, who teaches interpersonal communication at Cal State Fullerton and community college campuses, will discuss the power of choice in people’s lives and relationships. The Cal State Fullerton alumnus (M.A. speech communication ’98) has led dozens of training seminars and small groups.

2010 Poetry Slam

7-10 p.m., Titan Student Union Pub Now in its sixth year, the 2010 Poetry Slam is a competition where poets present their works and are judged by audience members not only on the poem’s content but also on delivery. Each contestant must prepare two pieces that are less than three minutes long and then perform in front of judges and a live audience. A cash prize is awarded.

Wednesday, April 28

Communications in Human Resources

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Bradford Room Titan alumna Valerie Masterson (B.S. human services ’82), vice president of human resources for the CW Network, started her career in human resources in the early 1980s and joined Warner Brothers Studio in 1994, serving with the WB Television Network during its merger with CBS when it became the CW Network.

Capturing the Voices of Someone Else’s Characters

1-2 p.m., Bradford Room Ken LaZebnik, writer/producer of “Touched by an Angel” on the Strike TV Network, will be sharing his experiences in a discussion about his 2006 film “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Backstage at the 2010 Grammys

4 p.m., Alvarado Room Jaime Sarachit and Lourdes Lopez, senior managers of communications and media relations for the Recording Academy/GRAMMY Awards, will discuss what it’s like working for the Recording Academy and being a part of the Grammy Awards. Sarachit, who has more than 10 years of brand marketing and communications experience, focused on the use of social/digital media to push the GRAMMY brand and increase viewership of the program. Lopez, with seven years of communications experience, provided public relations support for all GRAMMY Week activities. This past year’s program had a 36 percent ratings increase over previous years.

Corporate vs. Agency PR

7 p.m. Hetebrink Room A Wing Lam, owner of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, developed the chain of fish taco establishments in 1988 following a visit to Mexico where he and his brothers tasted and fell in love with the local meal. He joins Suzi Brown, director of media relations and external communications for the Disneyland Resort; Julia Cohen, campaign manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Kelly George, public relations manager of the Discovery Science Center; and Harmony Trevino, communications coordinator for Giving Children Hope, in a panel discussion on public relations.

“For the Biz: Ideas to Screen”

7 p.m., Titan Theater Alumnus David Crabtree (B.A. communications-radio/TV ’95) will screen his feature film, “Broken Dreams,” which is currently on the Sundance Film Festival circuit. Crabtree, who co-wrote, co-produced and directed the film, is known primarily as a film editor and has worked on “NYPD Blue,” “Las Vegas,” “The Lost Room,” “Cupid” and “Psych.” A question and answer session will follow the screening.

Friday, April 30

Censorship at Every Turn

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; reservations required for luncheon A daylong program focusing on the First Amendment Center’s 2009 State of the First Amendment report. The program will feature panels of journalists, lawyers, professors and filmmakers.

Most programs are free of charge. More information on these and other Comm Week activities is available at http://communications.fullerton.edu/commweek or by calling the Comm Week office at 657-278-7469. There is an $8 daily parking fee for campus visitors.