You can’t win if you don’t enter!

"Anyone can win one of those,” the person told me. The person was ridiculing ACE’s Critique and Awards program. I thought, “What?” Then, after a second thought, I agreed, although not for the reason he said. I didn’t tell him that.

Time was when our office at the University of Wyoming Extension never submitted publication entries. We started several years ago. “We” at that time was my supervisor Tana Stith, a standout graphic designer, and me as writer, editor, and photographer. Our submissions were judged against The Ohio States, the Purdues, Texas Techs,  the Kansas States.

I was jealous then (and still am) of the wonderful talent ACE members in those institutions and others displayed and reflected in their magazines. To my surprise (astonishment), we received awards for entries (A sidenote: we have more people on the publications and writing side in our office now).

That person above meant “anyone” derisively, but “anyone” to me means a very small office like ours really can win awards. It’s quality that counts. Don’t count yourself out because you may not have the resources bigger offices have.

The C&A season opens soon; watch for the announcements, renew your ACE membership, and enter. You’re going up against some of the finest communicators in the country. Entry numbers are rising, with last year’s 375 a record. We expect that number to continue to rise. 

In other news, two board positions opened when professional development director Beth Raney resigned December 1 (she is retiring from Penn State at the end of this year,) and when then-marketing director Elizabeth Gregory North was elected vice president earlier this year.

Very capable people are filling those positions (more of that talent of which I’m jealous). Matt Browning, right, director of communications at West Virginia State University, is our new marketing director-elect, and Craig Woods, left, senior producer/director at Oklahoma State University, is our new professional development director-elect. Thank you for providing your talents to ACE members!

– Steve Miller, 2016-17 ACE President, University of Wyoming Extension

There's still time to submit a conference proposal

Proposals are due December 15, 2016 for the ACE 2017: Renewal in New Orleans conference. Please think of how you can share your experience and expertise with others.

The ACE 2017 conference committee has put out a call for professional development breakout session proposals aimed at renewing and refreshing our work, skills, and professional connections.

Proposals should align with one of five themes:
•   Refine (new and improved developments, advances, technologies)
•   Reinforce (strategies, tactics, technologies that emphasize or strengthen the message)
•   Re-energize (stimulating creativity, productivity)
•   Review (getting back to basics; fundamentals)
•   Repurpose (different channels for products, messages; value-added communications)

In addition to basic session and presenter information, the proposal form asks you to indicate:
•   Audience level (beginner, advanced, or mixed)
•   Session type (lightning, sharing, how-to, application, professional development poster)
•   Length (5, 15, 45, or 90 minutes)

Presenters will be notified in February 2017. For details and to submit proposals, click here. Questions? Contact program co-chairs Jennifer Alexander, Oregon State University, or Tobie Blanchard, Louisiana State University.

Jennifer Alexander, Program Committee co-chair
Tobie Blanchard, Program Committee co-chair

Propose ideas now for New Orleans, 2017 conference sessions

Now is your chance to share your insights and expertise with others during ACE 2017: Renewal in New Orleans! The ACE 2017 conference committee has put out a call for professional development breakout session proposals aimed at renewing and refreshing our work, skills, and professional connections.

Proposals should align with one of five themes:

• Refine (new and improved developments, advances, technologies)
• Reinforce (strategies, tactics, technologies that emphasize or strengthen the message)
• Re-energize (stimulating creativity, productivity)
• Review (getting back to basics; fundamentals)
• Re-purpose (different channels for products, messages; value-added communications)

In addition to basic session and presenter information, the proposal form asks you to indicate:

• Audience level (beginner, advanced, or mixed)
• Session type (lightning, sharing, how-to, application, professional development poster)
• Length (5, 15, 45, or 90 minutes)

Proposals are due December 15, 2016. Presenters will be notified in February 2017. For details and to submit proposals, click here.

Questions? Contact program co-chairs Jennifer Alexander, Oregon State University or Tobie Blanchard, Louisiana State University.

Jennifer Alexander, Program Committee Co-Chair
Tobie Blanchard, Program Committee Co-Chair

ACE membership has its privileges

Since I became an ACE member in 2000, it has proven itself to be an organization that indeed has benefits and privileges.

I remember during an annual conference SIG meeting (now a learning community,) a national media relations training for ACE started to come together. We joined forces to assemble resources from across the country to benefit all ACE members. It was truly one of the benefits of our networked organization of talented communications professionals.

It’s always gratifying to be recognized for our good work and the awards won in the C&A competition; some of the most rewarding I’ve received. This is a national contest of staff from some of the most recognized universities and organizations in the country. Winning a C&A award indicates the level of talent and strategy that goes into our work each and every day.

Sharing my experiences with others through presentations at annual conferences has also been enjoyable and well-received. I have never had a colleague turn me down when I’ve asked him or her to serve on a panel or co-present. The knowledge exchanged in the room during these learning opportunities has been valuable and always reminds me of how smart my fellow ACE members really are!
As the song goes, “these are just a few of my favorite things” when it comes to ACE. But at this time of year I’m reminded of one benefit perhaps even above the others that has blessed me in the more than 16 years I’ve been an ACE member. That is the benefit of great friendships.

Even though I don't see my wonderful colleagues often enough, working with them on committees, sharing with them on listservs, and following them on social media brings joy to my heart and keeps each of them close. It is a privilege to call some of the national leaders in our profession friends, and all because of ACE.

Please consider renewing your ACE membership in the next few weeks. And make it a New Year’s priority to make the most of this opportunity to share, learn and even laugh with dear colleagues from across the country.

Beth Forbes, Membership Director

Watch for upcoming Critique and Awards entry information

ACE's annual Critique and Awards program opens January 1, 2017, and this year will run until Friday, February 3, 2017, at midnight, Eastern Time.

We are still using Submittable this year for entries, the new system we put in place last year. And the good news is that there is no price change for entries this year! Learning Community chairs have been busy adding judges to our class lists, and we urge you to watch the "grand opening" announcement, hopefully before the holidays.

If you have any questions, please contact Executive Director Holly Young at holly.young@unh.edu.

Suzanne Steel, ACE President-elect
Holly Young, ACE Executive Director

New process to submit research poster proposals for annual conference

The Academic and Research Learning Community is pleased to announce the call for research posters for presentation at the 2017 ACE Annual Meeting, June 12-15, 2017 in New Orleans.

This opportunity is designed to provide additional discussion of research at the conference and is distinct from the call for research papers distributed previously by the Academic and Research Learning Community. Deadline for research poster submission is 11:59 p.m. Central Time Friday, February 24, 2017.

New for 2017, research poster submissions will use the ACE Journal of Applied Communications FastTrack submission site. This will streamline the submission process and better facilitate the review process.

Abstracts must be authored or co-authored by a current, dues-paying ACE member. Your ACE dues for 2017 are due by January 1, 2017. You can go to the ACE website to join or renew.

Questions regarding research poster guidelines and submissions can be directed to Courtney Gibson at courtney.d.gibson@ttu.edu.
We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Katie Abrams, Chair of the Academic and Research Learning Community                                                               
Kelsey Hall, Vice Chair
Courtney Gibson, Research Director           
Lisa Lundy, Professional Development Director
Jessica Holt, Secretary

December news from the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center

Greetings from the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center.

Here is your December issue of ACDC News. It wraps up a fascinating year of highlighting research, news and views about communications aspects of agriculture throughout the world -- only a small sample of what’s coming into the ACDC collection. This issue features:

• Three concepts of food
• Fighting the “yuck” factor in eating insects
• The changing role and work of agricultural journalists (a report from 30 years ago)
• Recognizing our careers
• Century of holiday ideas offered by agricultural periodicals
• A revealing 2016 “Word of the Year” from Oxford Dictionaries
  

You can gain access to Issue 16-12 here.

As always, we welcome your reactions, ideas, questions and information to share. Please send them to issue coordinator Jim Evans at evansj@illinois.edu.

THE ACDC CREW - Robert (Pat) Allen, Karlie Elliott Bowman, Jim Evans, Elizabeth Ray, Lulu Rodriguez, Joyce Wright

The Journal of Applied Communications

If not already, check out the latest online edition of the Journal of Applied Communications (Vol. 100, No. 3).
The following are highlights of articles from the recent edition:

Communicating Climate Change: A Qualitative Study Exploring how Communicators and Educators are Approaching Climate-Change Discussions

Katie Rohling, Cassie Wandersee, Lauri M. Baker, and Peter Tomlinson

Despite scientific consensus; the existence of climate change continues to be rejected and doubted, which creates a challenge for science communications professionals. This qualitative study sought to determine how education and communication professionals who are involved in climate-change communication are framing discussions about the topic with agricultural producers. The study found that professionals who communicate about climate-change do not shy away from the term “climate change” but avoid jargon in materials, use local data to present adaptation options, and use social media to communicate. Link to full article: http://journalofappliedcommunications.org/images/stories/issues/2016/jac_100_edition_issue_3_article_8.pdf

Farmed and Dangerous? A Case Study of Chipotle’s Branded Entertainment Series and Polarized Reactions to its Satirical Depiction of Farming and Agribusiness

Nathan Gikerson, Rebecca Swenson, and Betsy Anderson

Chipotle has used branded entertainment and satire to enhance brand image and increase positive consumer perceptions; however, these campaigns have negatively portrayed the agricultural industry. This study explored audience reactions to Chipotle’s program.
While individuals outside of agriculture were generally positive toward Chipotle, findings revealed divided reaction and significant anger and frustration within the agricultural community. Because of the success of the use of humor and satire, agricultural communications professionals can gain valuable lessons from Chipotle as they consider the continued portrayal of the agricultural industry within marketing and advertising campaigns.

Link to full article: http://journalofappliedcommunications.org/images/stories/issues/2016/jac_100_edition_issue_3_article_10.pdf

Influence of Source Credibility on Agricultural Water Use Communication

Alexa J. Lamm, Courtney T. Owens, Ricky W. Telg, and Kevan W. Lamm

This study explored public perception of agricultural water use in videos from four sources. The findings suggest that the public has an overall positive view regarding agriculture’s use of water, regardless of the message source. Differences did exist between groups regarding message source expertise and trustworthiness. These findings suggest that when agricultural communicators develop messages regarding water targeted to the general public, they should consider the trustworthiness and perceived expertise of sources such as regulatory agencies, educational institutions, members of the agricultural sector, or environmental organizations.

Link to full article: http://journalofappliedcommunications.org/images/stories/issues/2016/jac_100_edition_issue_3_article_11.pdf