The Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium is USC Annenberg’s annual overview of the public relations industry. It has been the premier event for public relations students and practitioners in Southern California since its inception in 1990.

This year’s theme is “The Future of Corporate Activism.” Our program and discussion will review our 2022 Global Communication Report research on preparing PR departments and professionals to engage with activists, nonprofits and other external influencers.

Our program will feature corporate leaders from companies that are actively engaged in communicating about and supporting social justice issues:

• Corley Kenna, head of communications and policy, Patagonia
• Dominic Carr, vice president, communications, Lyft
• Elyse Cohen, vice president, social impact and inclusion, Rare Beauty
• Sean Greenwood, director of PR and communications, Ben & Jerry’s

The discussion will moderated by Willow Bay, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Fred Cook, director of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations and chairman emeritus at Golin, will host.

The online discussion will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A session. Zoom information to be provided after registration. 

All audiences are invited to join us for the live Zoom broadcast of this year’s event (details available upon RSVP). Due to safety restrictions, in-person seating will be limited to the USC Annenberg community and groups invited through the Center for Public Relations. Begin the RSVP process by clicking the button below.