SJMC alumnus returns to FIU for Communications Week

This week marks the 21st year of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Communications Week. This year, under the leadership of new dean Raul Reis, the theme is global communications and international issues, with all activities centering on the global impact and trends affecting the fields of advertising, public relations and journalism.

SJMC alumnus Pierluigi Gazzolo ’91 will address students during Communications Week March 28 at 5 p.m. in the WUC Ballrooms. Photo by Mario Morgado for ‘FIU Magazine.’

Communications Week  features four days of lectures, presentations, workshops and other activities to celebrate the discipline and professions of journalism and mass communication. Admission to all events is free.

SJMC alumnus Pierluigi Gazzolo ’91, the chief operating officer of Viacom International Media Networks since January 2011, will return to his alma mater on Wednesday, March 28, to deliver a keynote speech on “Navigating the Global Media Landscape.”

Gazzolo has led a successful career at Viacom since his early days at MTV Latin America (click here to read an FIU Magazine article about Gazzolo’s beginnings within the company). Today, his responsibilities include Viacom’s widespread international operations, such as those of MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, non-premium Paramount Pictures branded channels and the Tr3s channel for U.S. Hispanic audiences, among other properties.

After his speech, Gazzolo will present fellow Panther Dianne Festa ’84, director of NBC News International, with the award for Outstanding Alumni of the Year.

Communications Week so far

Already, more than 150 students, alumni and industry leaders have come together at Biscayne Bay Campus since March 26 to supplement the knowledge they are learning in class or have applied in the field.

The week kicked off with a day-long conference on “The New South American Landscape and the Media.” Andres Oppenheimer, a Miami Herald syndicated columnist, opened the event, which featured panelists discussing booming economics, social protest and media practices in South America.

SJMC faculty and alumni have participated in Communications Week as well, offering a crash course in media advertising sales. Also, for the first time, faculty and graduate students held a research poster session to showcase their latest industry research, an exercise Reis said fostered great collaboration.

Coming up…

Communications Week will come to an end on Thursday, March 29, with a day-long series of events presented by General Motors (GM).

At 11 a.m. in WUC Ballroom, Stan Stein, vice president of Weber Shandwick Detroit, will give Panthers an insight into the life of a global agency consultant. Immediately following the lecture, GM will host a Ride & Drive event to showcase its newest vehicles to the FIU community. Participants will have a chance to test drive or ride in one of GM’s newest fleet models.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication encourages participation and attendance by all students, faculty/staff and alumni to Communications Week, which is made possible by the generosity of sponsors and supporters like the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

For more information on Communications Week, contact Heather Radi-Bermudez at 305-919-4411.