Name of Group: Media Management, Economics & Entrepreneurship Division
2020-2021 Assessment Committee members:
Council of Divisions: Katie Foss (Middle Tennessee State University) and Jan Lauren Boyles (Iowa State University)
Standing Committee on Teaching: Raluca Cozma (Kansas State University)
Standing Committee on Research: Linda Aldoory (University of Maryland)
Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility: Jeannine Reilly (University of Arizona)
1. Overview of Work in past 5 years:
Caveat: The committee’s documentation to review only encompassed the AY20-21 annual report submitted by the current leadership. Any information on preceding years was shared verbally by the current head and vice head in the assessment meeting on Aug. 3, 2021.
AEJMC’s Media Management, Economics & Entrepreneurship division (hereafter referred to as MMEE) has embraced a culture of innovation in its conference programming and in its approach to scholar-practitioner engagement. In terms of the division’s mission, recent panels and research sessions have reflected an enhanced focus upon computation, including sessions on coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, analytics and big data. When asked about this trend, the division’s current leadership indicated that these sessions reflected the interdisciplinary nature of media management as a subfield. We commend MMEE’s leadership for identifying this thematic niche, which enhances cutting-edge topics for the broader Association membership. As demonstrated through its off-site programming in host cities (when AEJMC is face-to- face), the division also builds connections between MMEE scholars and the industries they study. The division also exhibits stable leadership, which will perpetuate institutional memory in the years to come.
2. Research Evaluation:
- MMEE is populated by a diverse, international set of scholars who demonstrate long-standing commitments to the division and its research programming.
- The division is active in the Midwinter regional conference, which has yielded revised submissions to the annual conference’s research competition. We would encourage MMEE to continue its engagement in the Association’s regional conferences in the years ahead.
- In the annual report provided, MMEE leaders indicate that the number of research submissions were largely similar between the 2020 and 2021 conferences. It is noted, however, that the number of student submissions was low. Thinking about the next generation of MMEE members, we would advise the division to engage in more targeted efforts to engage with graduate students and early career faculty. The outreach conducted in A Y20-21 to graduate directors is an excellent starting point. We would also encourage MMEE leaders to more clearly articulate the duties/tasks for its graduate student liaison position, as well as to develop ties with AEJMC’s Graduate Student Interest Group (GSIG).
3. Teaching Evaluation:
- The annual report highlighted extensive preconference/conference programming around pandemic-era teaching. These sessions, in particular, spotlight the division’s ability to organize timely and engaging sessions that interest a large number of AEJMC members.
- Beyond the conference, the division could provide more resources for those teaching courses in media management. Leaders could adopt best practices from other DIGs, including syllabi exchanges, speakers’ bureaus and other digital ways to exchange pedagogical materials.
4. Professional Freedom and Responsibility Evaluation:
- MMEE has a respected history of organizing successful off-site events that connect scholars with practitioners in conference host cities. Current MMEE leaders note in their annual report that the transition to the virtual conference has limited their abilities to sustain this level of engagement. We look forward to MMEE’s off-site tours and events returning in future years.
- As illustrated by content in the annual report, the division could expand targeted diversity, equity and inclusion activities that extend beyond conference programming. In future years, MMEE leaders may wish to partner with other divisions, who have successful DEI initiatives already in place – extending or replicating these programs for MMEE members.
5. General Comments and Suggestions for Future:
- While conference programming appears balanced (for the A Y20-21 content reviewed), future MMEE leaders may wish to consider additional out-of- conference programming throughout the calendar year to keep members engaged. These activities could include, but are not limited to: podcasts, virtual panels or book talks.
- We thank MMEE’s leadership for their time and talents.
Media Management, Economics & Entrepreneurship 