Event overview
[PLEASE NOTE the location for this room has changed to RHB 304]
The highly mediated arena of electoral politics is shaped not only by the work of journalists and news editors, but by a range of tools and techniques drawn from the promotional industries. Politicians and their parties are branded, marketed, and sold.
With a new range of communications tools and technical expertise at their disposal, and in the context of turbulent political times. twenty-first century politicians seek to carefully manage their image to not only promote the success of their parties, but increasingly to craft a personal brand in the pursuit of power. While these managed personal brands are increasingly central to political life, public perceptions and voting, the full significance of these developments for our changing political cultures is rarely grasped. What does this intensification of political branding and impression management mean for the practice and possibilities of democracy?
In this event, hosted by the Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy, we will be joined by two speakers whose research illuminates the way digital media and promotional cultures are shaping the foundations of democratic institutions.
Dr Philippe De Vries (University of Antwerp) will discuss his research on perception politics and the evolving role of images, brands and impression management in the politics of Belgium and the European Union.
Dr Ruth Garland (Goldsmiths University of London) will discuss her research on the communications strategies and political branding of Rishi Sunak, and the wider problem of unregulated government communications in populist times.
About the speakers:
Philippe De Vries is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Antwerp. He is also Co-founder of comms agency The Middle Men and has long-standing professional experience in strategic communications consultancy.
Ruth Garland is Lecturer in the department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths. Ruth has published work on governmental press policies, post-truth and the mediatization of government. Prior to academic Ruth worked at the BBC for 19 years.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2024 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Accessibility
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