Switchin' It Up: The Burden of Code Switching

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been special, and not just for their fashionably late arrival in 2021. Athletes have wowed us with superhuman displays of strength and skill as usual; however, figures like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles are showing us the humanity behind these incredible feats through their advocacy for mental health. In our latest episode of Comment, Richie and Aedyn discuss how this could affect the media landscape as a whole, as well as trade notes on their favorite events and the best of Olympic Tik Tok.

Bossy. Bitch. Language used to put women down. To make them feel inferior to men. In the 21st century, women are reclaiming misogynistic language to empower. We’re boss bitches. As communicators, we examine how the reclamation of misogynistic language has become a focus in modern media.

Displaying your true self as a Black professional in the world of communications can come with consequences. Our students discuss the impact that code-switching has on their personal and professional lives and how the industry can improve in our latest podcast episode.

Although many holiday traditions stayed the same, you may be thinking how will retailers add a little spice to their advertisements this year? Companies will have to do the most to keep Gen Z's interest as we surf the internet in hopes of topping last year’s presents. From TikTok trendy items to personalized gifts, reaching Gen Z audiences will take innovative strategies. Tune in as Matt and Sarah share personal holiday shopping stories and their favorite holiday ads.

What’s spookier than a Halloween blue moon? Staying uninformed and not going out to vote. In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, less than 50% of eligible millennials voted, but as more Gen Z become eligible to vote, they are ready to break the low voter turn out stigma. Listen to our Comment Podcast Season 2 debut where our new hosts Sarah Sheerer and Matt Hamburg discuss social media’s influence on the 2020 presidential election and share their experiences as Gen Z voters.

What better time to do an episode on science communication than in the midst of a global pandemic, when science communication is more relevant than ever? Science communication is an extremely important field, yet one that not many people are familiar with. Guest speaker Zack Savitsky, the founder of the Science Communigators Club at UF, discusses what science communication is, what best practices look like in the field, and how communication has been handled regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Marissa and Brooke also dive deeper into the implications the coronavirus has on the communications field. 

Look out Facebook and Instagram, TikTok is here to take over the world of social media. In January 2020, TikTok was the most downloaded non-game app worldwide. Its dominating presence has only increased as people all over the world use it to pass time while social distancing. In this episode, Brooke and Marissa explain what TikTok is, why it has become so popular, and how businesses can incorporate it into their own social media strategies. Jenna Powitz, our TikTok channel manager, also reveals how TikTok has been implemented at The Agency.  **Correction: Brooke says it was the Washington Posts's CMO who brought TikTok to the organization. It was actually Dave Jorgenson, the Washington Post's video editor. 

Authenticity is a common buzz word we see in the communications industry, especially in discussions about important emerging trends. But what does it mean to be authentic?  Why does it matter to Gen Zers? How can one successfully accomplish authenticity? Brooke and Marissa discuss all of this and more in this week's episode. 

Do you frequently experience conflict in group projects? Are you looking to improve your networking skills? Would you like to find ways to improve your personal and professional relationships? Sounds like this episode on emotional intelligence is calling your name.  In this episode, Brooke interviews Gwynn Cadwallader, a member of  UF Human Resources, and Kat Jones, a recent grad from The Agency. Learn more about what defines emotional intelligence, its importance in the communications industry, and how you can incorporate it into your everyday life. 

In this Christmas Eve special, Brooke and Marissa discuss characteristics of the advertising industry during the holiday season, as well as the importance of gratitude in the workplace. Tune in to hear about the personal and professional benefits of being grateful, and discover ways you can implement gratitude into your daily life.