Tag: Donnalyn Pompper

Everyone’s Business? How Eugene Downtown Businesses Responded to #BLM and #StopAsianHate

Presenter: Cassie Cole — Public relations

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Donnalyn Pompper

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis

The 2020 Black Lives Matter movement made international headlines as a powerful push for racial equality in the United States. Media coverage on the movement helped BLM supporters gain support throughout the country, but the Stop Asian Hate movement in 2021 did not garner the same level of media coverage. The purpose of this research is to examine the causes and incentives that determined whether Eugene business owners chose to support these two social movements. This study asks the question: How did the recent social movements generate support from Eugene business owners and how was this reflected in the businesses themselves? Surveys and interviews were used to analyze why and what incentivized Eugene businesses’ response to the BLM and Stop Asian Hate movements. Business owners were asked to explain their response to these movements and the channels through which they received their information. Using Critical Race Theory, study responses were analyzed to find that the difference in media coverage between the two movements caused the BLM movement to be more heavily supported by Eugene business owners. BLM held a large physical and social media presence, allowing them to generate more attention for their cause. The findings of this research emphasizes the growing necessity of social media and social interactions for the growth of a movement. Rather than mainstream media coverage, it is often the opinion of one’s friends and peers that ultimately influences social justice.

Discovering the Importance of Public Relations in the Hospitality Industry

Presenter(s): Esther Wooding − Public Relations, French

Faculty Mentor(s): Donnalyn Pompper

Poster 112

Research Area: Public Relations In The Hospitality Industry

The purpose of my research was to investigate how public relations is practiced within the hospitality industry. A study was created to discover how PR skills were being applied within the field, to discover any problems the industry faces, and to connect with professionals and gauge their experiences in their career. The study comprised of three interviews
with professionals, along with secondary research about the history, issues, ethics, and valued skills of public relations in hospitality. Throughout my research, I discovered that one of the main aspects of public relations in the hospitality industry is the role of social media and influencers. With increasing competition, I found that it is important to target a wide demographic and maintain a thorough and constant assessment of the public’s preferences. After interviewing practitioners in the field, one of the hardest tasks of public relations in hospitality is remaining current and staying ahead of your competitors. My findings indicated that public relations is an extremely important facet of hospitality. Garnering what the public is seeking, shaping your brand to this standard, and explicitly indicating this to that same public is critical for the success of a hotel. These are all jobs of a public relations practitioner. Constantly dealing with people and providing them a service they will enjoy takes a lot of prerequisite research, crisis management, image shaping, and networking. Ultimately, this research demonstrated the importance of public relations in hospitality and the skills necessary for entering and remaining successful in this field.