National and international media are in Charlotte to cover the presidential nominating convention. Leading up to this week, the University’s public relations media team has fielded hundreds of calls from print, radio and TV outlets seeking faculty, staff or students to interview for convention-related coverage.
“Journalists from all over the world contact UNC Charlotte faculty for expert commentary on the news stories of the day. Our faculty members are objective, informed, articulate and accessible. Many are well-recognized resources for journalists, nationally and internationally,” said John Bland, PR director in the University Communications Office. “Through proactive outreach to national political reporters and producers prior to the convention, the media relations team has facilitated more than 100 interviews and articles surrounding the 49er Democracy Experience. Faculty and staff members who may be contacted by media this week or throughout the year should contact Media Relations Managers Buffie Stephens or Paul Nowell for assistance; in most cases, they can help enhance the eventual media coverage.”
Eric Heberlig, political science and public administration, and Betty Doster, Division for University Advancement, have provided comments about the University’s 49er Democracy Experience for a number of outlets, including the New York Times, News14Carolina, WBTV and WFAE. Heberlig also was videotaped by Canadian, Iraqi and Swedish Broadcasting Cos. for segments about the upcoming presidential election.
Students Kristen Clanton and David Miller were interviewed for PBS NewsHour, and history professors Karen Cox and David Goldfield discussed aspects of Southern history and Charlotte with the Huffington Post and the Charlotte Observer, respectively. Other UNC Charlotte faculty contacted were Martha Kropf, political science and public administration, and David Swindell, public policy.
Claudia Avellaneda and Greg Weeks, political science and public administration, will be providing expert commentary to Telemundo during the convention.
Photo: Eric Heberlig, political science and public administration, during one of many media interviews related to the convention in Charlotte.