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Media Week 2026

The School of Communication's 14th 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 a list of speakers.

PLEASE NOTE: Many of the Media Week events are embedded in courses, which may be full, so please contact the teacher (who is the event moderator) of the particular event if you want to attend. They can tell you if they have room for you. The Media Week events open to all students will take place in the Talon Room. See below for details about these events, some for which require registration.

Register for student panels and presentations

Monday, October 19

Themes of the Day:  DMAIL & Public Relations Strategy

10:30 to 11 a.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 2029:  DMAIL Ribbon-Cutting

Join us for the ribbon-cutting of our Digital Media + AI Innovation Lab.

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 2029: DMAIL Open House

The Digital Media + AI Innovation Lab will be open for demonstration and hands-on activities.

Facilitators:  Rachel Achorn & Sydney Brammer

Register for DMAIL Activities

1:30 to 2:45 p.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  Craft Stories that Matter - Creative Social Media Tactics & Brand Storytelling

PR professionals will share tips on telling immersive brands stories and measuring with metrics.

Presenters: 

  • Daniel Burnstein, Senior Director, Content, MarketingSherpa and MECLABS AI & Director, AI Guild
  • Stacey Steiner, Director of Digital Marketing at Prattify

Facilitator: Rachel Achorn

Tuesday, October 20

Theme of the Day:  Journalism

3:05 to 4:20 p.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  Community Journalism - All News is Local

  • the challenges of reporting on local news
  • importance of knowing the community, being part of it
  • what a community loses without it

Panelists:  representatives from St. Johns County Citizen, JaxToday, and Action News 4

Facilitator:  Tricia Booker

Wednesday, October 21

Themes of the Day:  Meet Alumni, Professionals, & Communication in the Industries

10:30 to 11:45 a.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  SoC Alumni Panel and Q&A

Panelists:  UNF School of Communication Alumni

Facilitator:  Margaret Stewart

12 noon to 1:30 p.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  Networking Lunch - SoC Lunch with Professionals

Guests:  Members of the UNF's Professional Advisory Board & UNF Alumni

Facilitator:  Margaret Stewart

Professionals Registration

1:30 to 2:45 p.m., Bldg. 14D, Room 1011:  "How to Look Confident and Authentic on Camera - Tips from Industry Professionals"

Speakers: 

  • Alicia Booth Sprecher, Anchor/Reporter, News4JAX
  • Chris Will, Reporter, News4JAX

Facilitator:  Nataliya Roman

1:30 to 2:45 p.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  "Stand Out in Strategic Communications" (Public Relations & Advertising)

PR professionals will discuss building an online presence, portfolio, and resume to get noticed.

Facilitator:  Rachel Achorn

Thursday, October 22

Theme(s) of the Day:  AI & Strategic Social Media

9:25 to 10:40 a.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  AI in the Workplace

Speaker:  Natalie Gerlach, UNF Career Services

Facilitator:  Matt Head

11 a.m. to 12 noon, UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202: Social Media Listening Center: Interactive Presentation

Interactive Guest Lecture featuring the Social Media Listening Center at Clemson University

Presenter:  Jessie Hoffman, UNF Comm Alumn, Lecturer, Department of Communication, & Co-Director of the Social Media Listening Center (SMLC) at Clemson University.

12:15 to 1:30 p.m., UNF Talon Room, Bldg. 16, Room 4202:  "Most Goated Ever":  How our Library Engages Students on Social Media

Presenters: 

  • Maria Atilano, UNF Student Success & Engagement Librarian
  • Jacob Craven, UNF Comm Alum & Library Services Specialist

Friday, October 23

Social Media Expo Jax

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center
12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224

 

This event is designed to promote the exchange of information, ideas, insights, and innovations among professionals in social media, digital marketing, communication, and more. This experience focuses on strategy, skills, and best practices across the social media and digital industries through a series of lectures, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities. 

For information about speakers and ticket information, go to Social Media Expo Jax website.