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Quinnipiac University to host Social Media Breakfast on how technology is changing the news industry April 15

Hamden, Conn. – April 7, 2011 – Quinnipiac University’s interactive communications graduate program is co-sponsoring an innovative panel discussion this month on how social media is changing the coverage and dissemination of news.

The discussion, “Social Media and the Media,” will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 15, in the Mancheski Executive Seminar Room in the Lender School of Business Center. Coffee and networking will begin at 7:45 a.m.

The Connecticut Social Media Breakfast, co-sponsored by Cronin and Company and Mediassociates, is a series of Friday morning seminars held approximately every six weeks on Quinnipiac University’s Mount Carmel Campus.

A panel of experienced journalists and social media users will discuss how social media has become a presence, influencer and powerful source in how we approach the news.

Panelists include:

Rick Hancock, the digital platform director at the Hartford Courant and Fox Connecticut. He has worked in online journalism for more than 15 years, and one of the first broadcasters to launch a blog. 

Tim Malloy, a 33-year award-winning veteran of local and network television news, has reported from war zones, scenes of natural disasters and covered presidential elections, domestic riots and terrorist attacks.

Andrew Vazzano is the marketing manager at Main Street Connect, a network of community news websites based in Fairfield County, Conn. He is responsible for marketing, promotions and social media at the company.

Rich Hanley, assistant professor of journalism and graduate journalism director at Quinnipiac, will moderate the panel. Hanley enjoyed a 23-year career as a journalist and is a frequent contributor to media outlets across America and around the world.

The breakfast series is aimed at social marketers, communications and advertising professionals, marketing directors and others interested in learning and sharing their experiences in the growing and changing world of emerging media.

“This series is the perfect fit for the interactive graduate program,” said Phillip Simon, director of the university’s interactive communications graduate program. “Our students are studying social media and to hear professionals discuss how it is used day-to-day is invaluable.”

Michele Moore, interim dean of the School of Communications, said she hopes students take advantage of the proximity of the social media community.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students and professionals to work together and for the students to gain better insight into the full extent the medium offers,” she said. “It’s a great collaboration. We’re happy to have the opportunity to be the host.”

All are invited to attend the free event. 

The Social Media Breakfast was founded three years ago in Boston and has spread to 40 cities around the world.

For more information and to register, please visit http://smbct.eventbrite.com/.