Professor of the Practice Rebecca Fish, a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of healthcare experience, joined the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media in July to teach health communications and marketing courses and oversee the school’s Certificate in Health Communication and Marketing.
Fish brings decades of healthcare industry experience to her role at the school. She has worked in the public and private sectors — nationally and internationally — for organizations including Merck and GlaxoSmithKline. She has also served as the senior policy adviser to the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of health where she worked closely with the WHO, the Gates Foundation and other global health groups. Her background includes work in both business and policy functions.
“Rebecca’s wealth of experience in healthcare communication brings tremendous value to our students, our faculty and to the citizens of our state and beyond,” said Raul Reis, UNC Hussman dean and John T. Kerr Distinguished Professor. “In the school’s Certificate in Health Communication and Marketing, she is preparing students to launch impactful careers and reinforcing UNC Hussman’s commitment to addressing some of the most important challenges facing the public we serve — through effective strategic communication.”
The Certificate in Health Communication and Marketing is a three-course program offered to UNC Hussman undergraduate majors and minors. In this program, students learn about important stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem and what drives their behavior. The emphasis is strategic communications to help patients, consumers, providers and health organizations address critical healthcare challenges.
“When I think about health communication, I am not talking about simply creating a campaign on a topic,” said Fish. “The focus of this certificate program is strategic health communications — understanding who the key stakeholders are in the space, what drives their decision making and determining how to optimally engage them to improve health outcomes.”
The concept for this certificate program was the vision of UNC Hussman graduate, two-time alumna Lisa Stockman Mauriello ’91, ’13 (M.A.). Mauriello recognized the crucial need for preparing the next generation of health communication professionals. After returning to Carolina to earn an M.A. in Technology and Communication in 2013, she became a UNC Hussman adjunct professor on a mission to design a program that would create a new generation of leaders in health communication. Mauriello was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ALS in January 2021 and lost her courageous battle with the disease later that year when she was only 52.
“It’s very important to me that this certificate be worthy of the vision Lisa had in mind for it,” said Fish. “It is an important part of her legacy, and I want it to be the gold standard. I’m honored to contribute to building the certificate alongside colleagues like Francesca Dillman-Carpentier.”
Although the certification is specifically for UNC Hussman students, Fish is building partnerships across the University to tap into Carolina’s expertise related to health and healthcare. She hopes to establish partnerships with the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Public Policy, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health to leverage the breadth of strength in UNC’s health system. In the fall 2024 term, students from Fish’s capstone class in healthcare marketing worked with the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.
“I was so impressed with Professor Fish and her attentiveness to working with me, my colleagues and the students.” said Tim Poe, center director of telehealth. “The students had some great observations, and I’m making plans to incorporate some of the recommendations to improve our communications and our networking.”
The new Mock Health Club that Fish advises is also drawing interest from students both inside and outside of UNC Hussman. The club works through real world simulations like an Ebola Virus outbreak, considering how various stakeholders would tackle key challenges.
“I have had great success with recruitment and leadership largely due to the unwavering support from our adviser [Fish] who provided valuable candid advice throughout the course of the process,” said Neha Srinivasa ’27, creator of the Mock Health Club. “Professor Fish is a very supportive instructor of all students, and she goes above and beyond to support individual student needs on everything from class registration to the job search.”
Fish is working to expand and strengthen the certificate program’s curriculum, including adding a foundational course, along with more global content and immersive experiences. She is also leveraging her networks to attract leading professionals as guest speakers and to create new opportunities for students to apply the concepts and skills they learn in the program to real-world settings that highlight the valuable skills employers seek.
“Making the switch to academia was a big decision, but I love teaching, and I have found this role to be incredibly rewarding,” said Fish. “The students in my classes are deeply engaged and bring thoughtful questions to our discussions. It inspires me to know that these are the people who will be addressing critical healthcare challenges in the future. I’ve also been fortunate to work with amazing colleagues who warmly welcomed me into this community.”
For my last semester at UNC, I knew I wanted to create a project that featured all of my skills from undergrad and graduate school. In undergrad, I majored in media and journalism and romance languages with a minor in studio art. Now as a double Tar Heel, I have returned for my M.A. in media and communications with a focus in strategic communications. Since my experience is all over the place, I fully expected to have to pursue an independent study or go out of my way to create some sort of campaign on my own.
Until I heard about MEJO 584: International Projects! I could not have been more excited when I learned that the class was headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This was it! An interactive, multimedia class in a Latin America country combined all of the aspects I was looking for from media and design to immersive language-practice.
This semester, my role is Advertising and Public Relations on the Interactive Design team with Ella Campbell. We are responsible for creating content throughout the semester for all of the story teams as well as promoting the overarching campaign and the screening following our return. Since Ella and I have backgrounds in Spanish, I am looking forward to creating bilingual content for UNC and Argentinian students!
In less than two months, I will be traveling to Buenos Aires with 26 other talented UNC students. We have already been hard at work compiling background research, coming up with themes and topics and consulting with our partner university, the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina in Buenos Aires.
I look forward to learning more about the history and current state of Buenos Aires. I have a lot left to learn from my coaches and peers and can’t wait to reveal the finished project. I am thankful to have the opportunity to explore a new country and gain a new perspective on global storytelling!
P.S. Did I mention this is my first trip outside of the United States?!
One of the best selling drugs of the year, second only to the cancer-treatment Keytruda, is used to treat the worldwide pandemic of… obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1s (GLP-1s) are topping the charts of worldwide drug sales in 2024, specifically Ozempic. By the end of 2024, Ozempic sales are projected to reach 16.1 billion USD; but what is Ozempic and why is it so popular?
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is a once-weekly injection medicine used to help treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Ozempic operates by stimulating insulin secretions and releasing a hormone that tells the brain you are full; it also aids in slowing digestion, potentially leading to weight loss. However, Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. How does a type 2 diabetes medication that is not FDA-approved turn into the number one weight loss injection in the world?
Background
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not respond properly to insulin, also known as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. It is most common in overweight or obese adults. Due to the lifestyle of type 2 diabetics, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. Type 2 diabetes is not curable, but patients can enter remission through weight loss, dietary changes and physical activity. When normal blood sugar levels are reached, type 2 diabetics have the ability to live a life without diabetes medication, but they must continue to monitor their blood sugar and continue healthy lifestyle choices. Most patients; however, require diabetes medication for the rest of their lives.
The FDA approved Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in December of 2017. Ozempic was released on the market in 2018 by the company Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk proposed the drug to investors under the following competitive U.S. label:
Profile:
Ozempic is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic is approved for use in two therapeutic dosages, 0.5 mg and 1 mg.
Efficacy:
Statistically significant reduction in HbA1C compared with placebo, sitagliptin, exenatide extended-release and insulin glargine U100.
Statistically significant reduction in body weight confirmed in all trials against all comparators.
Safety:
Ozempic demonstrated a safe and well-tolerated profile across the SUSTAIN program.
In SUSTAIN 6, there were 108 MACE events with Ozempic compared to 146 events with placebo, equivalent to an event rate of 6.6% with Ozempic and 8.9% with placebo.
Convenience:
To be launched in the Ozempic Pen, the latest generation of Novo Nordisk prefilled devices.
Once-weekly subcutaneous injections.
The semaglutide (Ozempic) medication was not released as a means of losing weight, but rather as a way of controlling hunger levels and blood sugars, which inherently lead to weight loss in type 2 diabetes patients.
After the discovery of semaglutide for weight management, the FDA approved another semaglutide under the brand name Wegovy in June of 2021. Wegovy was the first semaglutide medication approved for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults. Containing the same drug as Ozempic, Wegovy is a higher-dose semaglutide manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Wegovy can be prescribed to patients without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Following its release, Wegovy quickly gained traction in the media due to the simplicity and effectiveness of its weight loss properties.
Between 2022 and 2023, the use of semaglutide medications for weight loss skyrocketed. The drug infiltrated the celebrity popular scene, promoting the use of Ozempic and Wegovy “off-label”. Off-label drug use occurs when doctors prescribe a drug for a different purpose than what the FDA originally approved. Today, 15% of Americans have used Ozempic for weight loss and off-label Ozempic prescriptions have reached an all-time high of 33%. A drug originally prescribed for type 2 diabetes has turned into one of the most popular drugs for weight loss of the year. Although Ozempic has been available for six years now, the drug’s recent rise to fame can be attributed to its marketing campaigns.
Campaigns
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk first launched its direct-to-consumer campaign for Ozempic on July 30, 2018. According to iSpot.tv, the 90-second Ozempic advertisement was broadcasted over 122 times within the first month. The original advertisement, set to Pilot’s 1974 hit song “Magic”, featured a variety of older-adults participating in their day-to-day activities with the help of Ozempic. During the commercial, a voiceover states that Ozempic users achieve and maintain lower blood sugar levels and A1C levels under 7%. The voiceover also emphasizes that Ozempic may lead to weight loss, with an on-screen pop-up clarifying that it is not a weight loss drug. Today, Novo Nordisk has 15 nationally-aired television ad campaigns for Ozempic, including the original “Oh! Oh! Ozempic” ad. According to iSpot.tv, in the past 30 days, Ozempic has had 1,488 airings of its commercials. The Ozempic campaign has an airing ranking of #720 with a spend ranking of #92 compared to all other advertisers.
Digital Platforms
Ozempic has gained serious traction across all social media platforms as people gain interest in what it is, who has taken it and what are the side effects? Beyond standard social media “rumor marketing,” Ozempic has strategically maintained space within social media and other digital platforms by utilizing the following resources:
Social Media Influencers and Celebrities: Chelsea Handler and Elon Musk were two of the first celebrities to speak about their experience on semaglutide medication in 2022. Since then more celebrities like Rebel Wilson, Tracy Morgan and Oprah Winfrey have openly spoken about their experience taking Ozempic for weight loss. With the rise of celebrities admitting to use of the drug, accusations of celebrities taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications have caused the drug to gain even more traction.
Diet Programs and Telehealth Websites: Diet programs such as WW (Weight Watchers) and Noom have partnered with prescribers to offer the semaglutide drug as an aid in a client’s weight loss program. Telemedicine programs like Ro, Hims and Hers, also offer semaglutide prescriptions on the homepage of their website. Insurance options and testimonials with the medication are also included at the forefront of these telemedicine programs. This type of product placement encourages new and existing users to consider the drug upon visitation.
Stakeholders
Apart from the typical stakeholders involved in the marketing and advertising campaigns surrounding Ozempic, many groups play a key role in the production, regulation and use of Ozempic.
Pharmaceutical Companies
Pharmaceutical companies are the largest stakeholders involved with Ozempic and other semaglutide medications. Pharmaceutical companies are not only responsible for the production, distribution and price of the drug, the companies also have a fiduciary responsibility to other stakeholders. Pharmaceutical companies have the responsibility of finding investors willing to finance the research and production of the drug, convincing doctors to prescribe the drug, informing insurance companies of the importance of the drug for quality of life and convincing the companies to fund the drug, encouraging pharmacies to distribute and sell the drug and convincing patients to use and advocate for the prescription of the drug to enhance their quality of life.
Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers hold stake in the distribution of Ozempic in both positive and negative ways. Doctors are responsible for prescribing and monitoring all patients prescribed Ozempic. Doctors can benefit from reimbursement programs, more patient visits and increased medical costs. On the other hand, doctors can also be held responsible for malpractice and off-label prescriptions in relation to the drug.
Pharmacists also have a huge responsibility in relation to the semaglutide drug. Pharmacists are responsible for the distribution of the medication to patients and education in relation to the drug. They are responsible for teaching patients how to properly administer the drug and offering medicinal counseling in relation to the drug. Pharmacies also have to maintain stock of the drug in order to provide new prescriptions and refills in an accurate and timely manner.
Patients
Patients hold stake in the use of Ozempic. Ozempic, whether used for type 2 diabetes or weight loss treatment, requires proper care and treatment surrounding the drug. Individuals with type 2 diabetes seek out the drug for increased blood sugar control and A1C management. Overweight or obese individuals using the drug seek out easier weight control management.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are responsible for providing coverage for the drug, whether through pre-approved programs or provider reimbursements. Insurance companies control patient access to semaglutide medications, and can even choose to cover or deny certain brands of the prescription. They also have the ability to choose the deductible or copay for patients based on the necessity of the drug.
Regulatory Bodies
Ozempic is a drug prescribed to patients in many countries across the world. It is the responsibility of many national agencies to ensure the safety and efficacy of the semaglutide medication before allowing it to be prescribed to patients. This includes, but is not limited to, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada. These companies also track any common side effects and safety concerns involving the drug after approval.
Type 1 and 2 Diabetics
Diabetics, type 1 and 2 alike, are the lesser-known stakeholders in the semaglutide world. With the increase in production of Ozempic and other semaglutide medications, pharmaceutical companies are not able to manufacture insulin at the same rate they once had. Insulin and other diabetic-specific drugs have been placed on backorder across the country for the past year. Novo Nordisk has chosen to discontinue certain types of insulin products and no longer offer forms of others. Manufacturing delays, increased demand and pharmaceutical company shifts are leaving diabetics around the world without medication necessary for life. As long as pharmaceutical companies choose to prioritize the manufacturing and pharmacies choose to prioritize the distribution of semaglutide medication, diabetics around the world will continue to face health disparities at the hands of the pharmaceutical companies.
Campaign Analysis
Campaign Objectives
The stakeholders and campaign initiatives of Ozempic have presented the specific objectives for the release of the medication:
Promotion and awareness of the brand: Through consistent brand design, messaging and an easily-recognizable jingle, Ozempic remains at the forefront of the semaglutide race. The use of celebrity spokespeople, social media platforms, digital channels and testimonial campaigns make Ozempic a universally-recognized product.
Education and information of the medication: Marketed as a type 2 diabetes medication, all advertisement campaigns in relation to the brand promote the health benefits from blood sugar control to weight management. Each campaign initiative targets a different consumer segmentation, pushing the benefits of Ozempic to all platforms.
Available and easy solutions: Ozempic is marketed as a once-weekly injection covered by insurance, promoting the availability and convenience factors to all patients. Highlighting the low-rate of injections required and the payment plans available, Ozempic positions itself as a quick and easy solution for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Campaign Shortcomings
Although the Ozempic campaign is arguably one of the most successful campaigns of 2024, the brand faces many shortcomings, especially in relation to ethical concerns. When dealing with marketing campaigns involving serious prescription drugs, accurate and transparent information surrounding the use of the drug is imperative in all marketing initiatives.
Side effects: Ozempic fails to release any of the severe side effects patients may experience when prescribed the drug. As a result, many lawsuits have been filed against Ozempic claiming that the manufacturers knew and did not disclose the associated risks of the drug. Patients have reported gastroparesis, ileus and bowel obstruction as side effects from the drug.
Deceptive marketing: Any pharmaceutical company or health professional promoting a drug must fully disclose the intended use, potential side effects and associated costs with the medication. Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss and promotion of the drug as a weight loss drug goes in direct violation of the regulations governing the drug. Off-label use prescriptions also increase the risk the drug poses to the patient.
Ozempic rebound: Ozempic fails to acknowledge the “Ozempic rebound” that occurs when patients stop taking the drug, after using it improperly. Ozempic could aid in weight loss when used in association with a healthy diet and active lifestyle; however, it is not a one-stop fix that leads to permanent weight loss and marketing it as such is once again harmful to the patient’s health.
Overlooked Angles in Outreach Efforts
Since Ozempic is ethically divided amongst two separate communities, Novo Nordisk could have focused on targeting one consumer segment, increasing sales and interest within that specific segment, thereby decreasing unethical claims and lawsuits. I recommend Ozempic focus on one target consumer, either the diabetic community or the overweight and obese community.
The Diabetic Community
The diabetic community is monopolized by three major pharmaceutical companies: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Sanofi. These three companies dominate the global insulin market and control all associated costs. By marketing the drug as a crucial treatment for type 2 diabetes, Novo Nordisk would have the power to raise the price and increase sales with type 2 diabetic patients. Marketing the drug as a treatment for a chronic health condition would also incentivize insurance companies to become more involved, as chronic health conditions account for 90% of insurance costs and companies are consistently looking for ways to lower the costs.
Had Ozempic focused on the diabetic community specifically, the brand could have also partnered with all of the available diabetic organizations beyond the American Diabetes Association (ADA) such as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Diabetes Foundation. Ozempic could have tapped into the financial resources provided by all of these associations, as well as all of the target consumers involved in these associations. Ozempic could partner with World Diabetes Day, a diabetes campaign operated under the IDF, or promote all of its diabetic health benefits during National Diabetes Month, which occurs every November.
The Overweight and Obese Community
Since the power of Ozempic in weight loss is becoming more popularized, Ozempic could have ethically branded itself as a weight loss aid. Positioning the brand at the forefront of weight loss pharmaceuticals, Ozempic could have focused on the weight loss and highlighted health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar, as an additive. This would incentivize overweight and obese adults to consider taking a weight loss medication that does not only lower their weight, but also improves their overall health.
If Ozempic targeted the overweight and obese community specifically, the brand could have partnered with more health and nutrition programs targeted towards weight loss. Ozempic could position itself as an additive in the offices of registered dietitians or nutritionists. Ozempic could operate at the forefront of many weight loss programs beyond Weight Watchers and Noom. Ozempic could partner with programs like MyPlate, that encourage healthy eating habits in addition to the use of the drug. The brand could also create a campaign specifically for World Obesity Day that brings awareness to the obesity crisis and provides an accessible solution.
Conclusion
Overall, Ozempic has one of the strongest marketing campaigns of 2024 and is continuing to grow; however, the brand has achieved this success through unethical practices and off-label use promotion. Had Ozempic utilized its stakeholders and channels more efficiently, Ozempic would still top the charts in sales while maintaining a more positive brand reputation. As a result of unethical practices, Ozempic will continue to face backlash and lawsuits as the product expands.
This article was originally published on linkedin.com.
“World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue and emphasize the collective and individual actions needed to improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.”
World Health Organization (WHO)
What is World Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day is the global awareness campaign dedicated to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes! The day focuses on diabetes prevention, management and support. World Diabetes Day is recognized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and celebrated worldwide.
Why November 14? World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 each year to honor the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, one of the two discoverers of insulin. In 1923, Banting sold all of the patents for insulin to the University of Toronto for $1 each stating, “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.”
Before 1923, diabetes was a fatal disease. The life expectancy for a child diagnosed with Type 1 was less than one year, following diagnosis. Today, Type 1 diabetics are able to live a full life. Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best changed the lives of diabetics forever.
World Diabetes Day is commemorated with a blue circle. The internationally recognized symbol represents unity in the global fight against diabetes. The day holds many events, educational activities and campaigns worldwide.
My Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of twelve. I was a rare case, diagnosed within three months of my pancreas shutting down. Most children are diagnosed as a result of a Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that can lead to diabetic coma or even death. Following a diagnosis, most children stay in the “honeymoon phase“, the remission period in which the body produces enough insulin to help control blood sugar levels, for a few months to a year. I was lucky enough to stay in the honeymoon phase for the next five years.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the lesser known of the two types. It is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys insulin-producing cells. It is not preventable. Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes due to patients requiring insulin for the rest of their lives. There is currently NOT a cure; only treatment options are available.
Type 1 diabetes most often develops during childhood. It is not caused by lifestyle choices, including dietary habits or exercise levels. Oftentimes, it is the result of a genetic predisposition, but can also be caused by environmental triggers and autoimmune reactions.
Common symptoms upon diagnosis include:
Frequent urination
Extreme thirst
Increased appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Blurry vision
However, all patients are different – some experience many symptoms while others never show a single sign.
My Greatest Source of Strength
At the time of my diagnosis, I received so many resources and support from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), now known as Breakthrough T1D. Upon my arrival to the hospital, I was gifted a “bag of hope.“
This bag of hope was a bookbag from the JDRF that contained:
Rufus was the best gift I ever received from the JRDF. Rufus was a teddy bear with diabetes who had marked spots where it is safe to give insulin. He came with his own storybook that had his experience with diabetes and how to treat it. I was able to practice my shots on him before I had to gain the courage to give them to myself.
As a fairly healthy and active 12 year old child, the diagnosis of diabetes was the last thing I expected to hear. The support and resources through the JDRF made it a little easier getting through the initial shock. Over time, diabetes has become something I don’t even think about. I am able to eat the same foods I always have, enjoy the same experiences as everyone else and continue on without it having a major impact on my life.
I encourage you to spend some time today learning more about both Type 1 and Type 2 and the associated risks with each.
This article was originally published on linkedin.com.
Last weekend, the North Carolina State Fair closed for the season. Going to the fair is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. I love trying all of the new foods the fair has to offer each year and playing games, even if the majority are rigged. More than anything, my favorite thing to do at the fair is to walk around and “sight see”. I love to see all of the colors, signs and visually-aesthetic booths. This year at the fair, I decided to take my DSLR camera and do a photo walk! Below you can find a virtual snapshot tour of the fair featuring a few of my favorite images:
Fairground Flavors
Fresh PopcornWoody’s Wing WagonThe Original Mineapple PieDeep Fried Apple Pie
Classic Contests
Shoot Out the Star
Ride Attractions
The State Fair FlyerFerris Wheel #2
Visuals and Details of the Fair
Woody’s in the SkyFair Food for Miles: Funnel Cakes, Burgers, Ice Cream and Chicken FingersPowers Great American Midways
A series of photographs depicts the bond of a mother and daughter navigating through sickness, special needs and the push-pull role of caretaker. This 13-image series tells a story without a single word.
Another photo series features five different men embodying the traits and actions the artist feels when connecting with others.
A third exhibition, features a master’s thesis presentation, highlighting the implicit bias against black hair in the workplace and challenging social beauty standards.
A fourth piece, a video documentary, tells the story of a high school girl left wheelchair bound after a traumatic brain injury. With support from her college band director, her college experience transforms.
The four works titled “A mother’s love; a daughter’s journey” by Anna Connors ’24, “Connection” by Eleazar Yisrael ’25, “We Are Not Our Hair” by Malana Johnson ’24 (M.A.) and “Accelerando” by McKenzie Bulris ’25 all started as projects the students completed for a class or program. The works were then nominated for the gallery by their professors, who recognized the power and importance of the pieces.
Johnson, Bulris and Connors at the “Rising Voices II” opening.
After being nominated, the works were reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff.
“It began as a story of what happens when a caregiver begins to need long term care herself,” said Connors, photographer of “A mother’s love; a daughter’s journey.” “I think now it’s more about the ups and downs of daily life in a really rocky time of a family’s life.”
Now, having worked with the featured family for over a year, her goal is to turn her work into a book.
Located on the third floor of the Curtis Media Center, ‘Rising Voices II’ was unveiled in the Carter-Tinson Gallery on October 10, 2024. The ‘Rising Voices’ series showcases work that amplifies voices and issues impacting communities marginalized by society.
The Carter-Tinson Gallery exists from years of planning and support from two UNC Hussman alumni and donors, J.J. Carter ’96, global president and chief executive officer at FleishmanHillard, and David Tinson ’96, chief experiences officer at Electronic Arts.
“The opportunity to bring people together, to listen to one another, and learn from one another, to maybe not agree but to understand one another, is communications at its core,” said Carter. “Any opportunity to celebrate when and where communications closes those gaps in a world that seems increasingly divided, I think we should seize on those opportunities. Looking at students who are coming into the world today who innately understand that communications is the solution is inspiring.”
Raul Reis, dean of UNC Hussman, views the gallery as an essential addition to the atmosphere of the school.
“The UNC Hussman community is committed to fostering an atmosphere in which people feel welcomed and encouraged to share different views, perspectives and life experiences,” said Reis. “The Carter-Tinson Gallery has become a cornerstone tradition within that commitment. It provides the opportunity and the space for more voices in our community to be heard, considered and better understood.”
This article was originally published on linkedin.com.
Storytelling is powerful. In my program, we focus on the power of storytelling in almost every class. How do you engage with your audience? How do you grab their attention? How do you tell your story?
We focus on storytelling with words through news writing, podcasts and video documentaries, but storytelling with words is simple- you say what you need to say. It’s easy to understand stories with words, that’s why we read.
Another way to tell a story is through movement. Growing up in dance, I’ve had to learn how to use my body movement and facial expressions to tell a story. Since there are no words in movement, other than song lyrics, the biggest issue is portraying your story successfully. It is common to have the movements lost in translation or misinterpreted. So what does successful storytelling through movement look like?
Dancing with the Stars. The majority of the pros on Dancing with the Stars work hard to choreograph dances that tell the stories of their celebrity partners. Storytelling through movement allows the celebrities to be able to connect with dance on an emotional level, while also allowing the audience to see the personal side of each celebrity competing.
Although all of the pros are talented in their own ways of storytelling through movement, I would argue that Derek Hough cracked the code. Derek Hough holds the record for the most Mirror Ball Wins on the show, having won six times. A pro turned judge, Derek Hough has learned how to tell a story through movement with each partner he is given.
Below are a few of my favorite dances he has choreographed that tell a story from beginning to end without a single word. The connection between him and his partners, the style of dance, the music and choreography all come together each and every time to create beautiful stories. Watch and learn to see how powerful storytelling through movement can be.
Derek and Hayley Hough – Dedication Night 2024
Derek and Hayley Hough performed “Beautiful Things” last week for Dedication Night. This dance is a tribute to Hayley’s health journey and the experience the couple went through following the diagnosis of a serious brain condition. This dance marks Hayley’s return to the ballroom. If you listen closely, you can hear details in the music that add to the overall story including the sounds of hospital machinery.
Derek Hough and Bindi Irwin – Most Memorable Year 2015
Derek and Bindi performed “Every Breath You Take” for the Most Memorable Year week in 2015. This video has the story attached to give the backstory of the dance and what it means for Bindi. If you choose to watch both the story and the dance, look for the little details of the dance that are mentioned in the story to see how the movements bring the story to life.
Derek and Julianne Hough – Special Performance 2017
Derek and Julianne Hough performed “Unsteady” as a special performance in 2017. It was the sequel to their “Elastic Heart” special performance the siblings danced to in 2015. While both dances tell stories of the pair’s childhood, Unsteady focuses on the impact of their parents’ divorce. The juxtaposition of the dancers with their “younger selves” reveals how the dancers are impacted by the experience to this day.
All three of these dances have been engraved in my brain since they first aired. I remember the songs and the movements as if I was recounting the plot of a storybook. Having a personal connection to dance and being an avid fan of Dancing with the Stars might make me a bit biased, but I believe the winners of the show are the ones capable of telling the story- adding life and emotion to the movements that would otherwise be plain and boring. How do you tell your story without words?
When she arrived at UNC, Visiting Professor of the Practice Leyla Santiago chose to revive Carolina Ahora, the only Spanglish digital newscast offered at UNC through the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
Carolina Ahora debuted in 2016, providing news-of-day content and covering issues impacting the Latinx community. However, due to the pandemic, the program went on a three-year hiatus. Santiago, with the help of her students, brought the program back in the fall of 2023 for a two or three episode “pilot,” as Santiago describes it.
“I can’t even take credit for that,” Santiago said. “It’s the students.”
The Carolina Ahora revival started when a couple of students from Santiago’s special topics lecture, “MEJO 490: Covering and Engaging Latinx Communities,” and “MEJO 522: Carolina Week” showed an interest in a Spanglish newscast, and it has since developed into the stand-alone class, “MEJO 390: Rise and Shine/Carolina Ahora.”
With increasing student interest and engagement and support from UNC Hussman Dean Raul Reis, the program continues to grow.
“Our students are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Leyla to learn from such an accomplished professional journalist with deep experience covering Latin American communities and issues,” said Reis. “I know Leyla embraces her role as a mentor and teacher, bringing an energy and commitment to students that matches their desire to create new spaces for dialogue around growing communities that are so vital to our campus and state.”
“We’re filling a void,” Santiago said when speaking about the culture of the newscast. “This generation, like me, actually speaks more Spanglish than Spanish.” She explained how it allows for those who want to take part in targeting these communities or who want more representation and voice in this type of coverage to be involved in the process.
Santiago’s main focus is to foster the growth of mentorship and representation in the community, with an emphasis on building strong connections.
“This is why you need people of all walks of life, so that they can be the voice and more than likely bring some of those voices in. Otherwise, you don’t see yourself represented,” Santiago said. She also emphasized that she is drawn to be a mentor because she sees pieces of herself in these young students, explaining how the lack of Latinx representation she had in her mentorship as a student and early career inspired her to be a mentor for these students.
Carolina Ahora Executive Producer Elaine Jimenez ’26 talked about the impact the show has had on her.
“I want to focus on minority communities and helping the Hispanic community. Being able to use the Curtis Media Center studio space and having Carolina Ahora as a class is amazing, especially because it was very small prior. I think if it continues to be a class, it will expand and grow,” Jimenez said.
Sophia Pedroso ’25, the show’s director, also spoke of how being part of Carolina Ahora helped her reclaim certain aspects of her culture and identity. She explained that having this space made her feel good giving back to the community that has given much to her identity and experiences.
“We have all heard the phrase ‘open the door for someone else’ or ‘open the door for someone else and reach back.’ I just don’t think that’s enough,” Santiago said. “I think we have to open the door, reach back, pull and don’t let the handle go.”
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Carolina Ahora’s newscast is housed under the Carolina Week YouTube channel. New episodes are set to be released weekly.
The CLICK! Photography Festival celebrates the medium of photography and its cultural influence by engaging in the photography community with exceptional photo-based works and artists. The month-long festival every October brings together photography lovers, exhibitions and programming while fostering dialogue between photographers and community members, all in hopes of inspiring artistic excellence, supporting professional development and promoting community engagement.
Lindsay Metivier introduced me to CLICK! Photography Festival last year. What started as an assignment, turned into an exhibition opportunity. Last october, our darkroom photography class took a trip to the NC State Fair to shoot rolls of film for an assignment. After developing the film, Lindsay encouraged us to submit our work to be the Carousel Slideshow, an exhibition hosted by Peel Gallery as part of the CLICK! Photography Festival. I submitted two images, both were selected to be featured and it was the first time my work was showcased outside of a class setting. I loved sharing my work with the public and seeing how it contributed to the overall vision of the gallery.
Two months later, in January of 2024, I started working for Peel Gallery. I learned the process of working on the other side of gallery exhibitions. Contributing to bringing a gallery exhibition to life was just as rewarding. Listening to artists’ stories, experiencing different forms of art and engaging with people from around the world changed how I viewed and valued art.
Ten months later, it is once again CLICK! Photography Festival month and it is now my turn to curate the gallery exhibition. In one year, my first gallery exhibition turned into my first curation. I am ecstatic to curate a photography exhibition under the same umbrella that my photography was first exhibited. I can’t wait to provide the same opportunity to new photographers that I received one short year ago.
This is my full circle moment.
Interested in showcasing your photography work? Learn more about my upcoming exhibition or submit your work below:
This article was originally published on linkedin.com.
In elementary school, I often got in trouble for reading when I “wasn’t supposed to”. I experienced difficulty focusing in class, especially in the core subjects that did not interest me. When I lost interest in the topic of the day, I would pull out a book. There was so much to learn and with my “I can do it” attitude, if I was interested in learning it, I would do it myself.
Growing up, my parents always encouraged reading. We would go to library clean-out days, spend the $15 or $25 on a fill-the-bag option and head home with books piled to the brim. Those were my favorite days. I would come home with books that I didn’t know the title to, books that had nice cover art and books that the library was cleaning out by collection. I always wanted to have a personal library and library clean-outs were the best way to make it happen.
As I grew older, I learned about the banned books movement. Books were being censored in schools and libraries across the country. Some books made sense, containing offensive or otherwise inappropriate material for children, but other books were appropriate, simply containing ideas that a particular group did not agree with.
What started as a short list, has since multiplied into a list of thousands. Old books, new books, books that used to be required in high school curriculum, even childrens books, are now questioned and pulled from shelves every day. Once I discovered this, I learned that reading, especially reading accessibility, was a privilege. Accessing books now requires the ability to purchase them as variety and availability are limited. Expanding your education now comes at a price.
Some schools and libraries however, celebrate banned books week. Banned books week “highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.” Books are displayed up front for check-out and readings of excerpts are held.
While not everyone may be interested in every book or might find some books inappropriate or deserving of challenge, the important thing is that we all have the freedom and privilege to read. We have access to more information than we have ever been able to imagine, why would we not take advantage of that and read as much as we can?
It’s all about education. Introducing yourself to different topics and perspectives, even if just for the value of understanding right and wrong. Some books depict issues with history, others introduce new ideologies and most are fictional stories.
Here is the list of the most challenged books since 1990. Take a second to look through and see the stories.
