USC Annenberg’s Center on Communication Leadership and Policy (CCLP), together with partners from across USC, is launching an innovative training program that empowers election and campaign officials nationwide to reinforce their defenses against digital attacks that may affect the integrity and outcome of elections.

Only 6% of consumers say they’re influenced by TV advertising to make a purchase decision, while 35% rely on online reviews. But when it comes to tattoos and people’s love of brands, the Harley-Davidson logo slipped down to 6% of tattoo choices this year, and people’s favorite logo to put on their bodies is a family brand, Disney. This data comes from a brand-new survey by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Communication (PhD) student Perry Johnson studies the intersection of popular music with issues of diversity, representation and equity. She started her research studying the statistics in the Billboard Top 100 and later shifted the study to examine how the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements started to change that conversation.

For Pedro Resendez, navigating cell phone use in his early teen years was a challenge, particularly because of the tension it caused with his parents. But, over time, the family dynamic changed.

Sophomore Julio Martinez never imagined — or expected — that he would be studying communication at USC Annenberg. Then, two years ago, in the summer before his senior year at Valley Christian High School, Martinez was invited to be one of 26 students for the inaugural Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement program, otherwise known as AYA.

Even before Ruby Yuan set foot on campus, he knew what type of education he wanted to get. The journalism major, who will be graduating in 2020, was interested to find the intersection between journalism and technology and he knew USC Annenberg was the place to explore this.

Jake Wachtel returned to school mid-career, after working successfully in a variety of entertainment jobs. He chose USC Annenberg’s MS in digital social media program, which allowed him to take his prior experience and blend it with new knowledge. This created more professional opportunities for him moving forward.

PBS NewHour journalist, Lisa Desjardins spoke to USC Annenberg students and alumni on Oct. 22 as part of the R. Rebecca Donatelli Expert-in-Residence in Political Analysis and Media series. She was interviewed by Christina Bellantoni, director of the USC Annenberg Media Center and they discussed everything from job tips to the current political climate. This is a quick highlight of their discussion.