Tucson Citizen.com
Carolyn's Community - Our sense of group togetherness and "community" in Tucson

“Political campaigns: Media, money & message” talk

by on Nov. 11, 2010, under Life, Politics

Interested in political campaigns and the 3 Ms: media, money & message? Attend a luncheon talk at the lovely Arizona Inn, on Nov 12, 11: 45 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Assistant Professor Kate Kenski of the University of Arizona Dept. of Communication. This event is sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Cost is: UA/Pima Students, $15; PRSA Members, $25; Non-members, $35. Those without a reservation may have to pay an extra $10.

Dr. Kenski will discuss “how campaign strategies shape public opinion in pivotal elections. And, with the recent mid-term elections just over, she will weigh in on how effectively area candidates used messages to convince voters.”

Kenski co-authored a new book entitled “The Obama Victory: How Media, Money, and Message Shaped the 2008 Election” (co-authored with Bruce W. Hardy and Kathleen Hall Jamieson; June 2010, Oxford University Press).

Professor Kenski was interviewed on KUAT Channel 6 on October 15 (click here). She did say that the CD 7 and CD 8 U.S. House races were going to be close. And listen to what Kenski said about former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Reservations can be made online at www.prsatucson.org or by contacting Ellen Hull by phone, 520-795-0300 x2283, or email, ehull@jfcstucson.org.

The 20,000-member Public Relations Society of America is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals. Members represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional service firms and not-for-profit organizations.

More than 100 chapters in 10 geographical districts provide opportunities to grow professionally, share ideas, practice skills, and network with colleagues.

The Arizona Inn is at 2200 E. Elm Street (between Campbell & Tucson Blvd.), phone 520-325-1541.


  • Carolyn Classen

    Reminder: this media talk today at 12 noon.

  • http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-progressive Pamela

    People should get media advise from professionals (like those at PRSA)– not from a failed ex-governor like Fife. The Star promo’d Fife’s new business venture as a media consultant on the front page today. It should have been label as an advertorial! He’s only charging $15,000 for 1-2 days of advice. Hmmm…

    • Carolyn Classen

      Very good point Pam. It still surprises me that Fife Symington even makes news, since he resigned in disgrace as Arizona’s 19th Governor– due to his bank fraud felony conviction in 1997.  And then President Bill Clinton pardoned him.

      • fraser007

        I thought Fife went to cooking school in Phoenix?? (not a joke).

  • Alan Leibensperger

    Pamela, I agree with you totally. I could probably do at least as well if not better if  only I had the name recognition as Symington does. to charge outrageous fees.
     If you remember, the Arizona Daily Star also gave a front page plug for Jim Click when he announced he was also going into the banking business.

  • Carolyn Classen

    Fascinating talk today by Dr. Kenski about the Obama 2008 victory, that “messages matter” in these Presidential campaigns.  Her team surveyed 57,000 Americans for a year up to that General Election, and drew conclusions about Bush being an “unpopular incumbent President”, that the Economy became more of a factor than the Iraq war, and the impact of early voting along with timing of campaign literature/ads.  Obama’s campaign also linked his opponent Senator McCain with President Bush, and subtly used “age” against McCain.  And Obama outspent McCain in advertisements in all media outlets.  Kenski also spoke of the in-between voters, the “persuadables” and how to reach them before the election.  For lots more information, read Dr. Kenski’s book mentioned above.  About 25 marketing/PR members of PRSA were in attendance today, and no politicians.