Newhouse students travel to Cannes to study international social media

Five students from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications will attend the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France, as part of the new SUAbroad program International Digital & Social Media Platforms. In this innovative course, students will take a comprehensive look at international digital and social media platforms and best practices. 

Students will leave on June 14 and return on June 24. They will blog and live tweet daily about their experience; follow on Twitter via #NewhouseIDSM. 

The course is taught by William J. Ward, professor of practice of social media in the Newhouse School. Prior to departure, students will be introduced to different international social media platforms and multifaceted influences such as cultural, political, legal and economic factors. 

At the Cannes Festival, students will continue to study digital and social media best practices from around the world. They will learn alongside more than 9,000 delegates from 90 countries and attend workshops, exhibitions, screenings, master classes and high-profile seminars by industry leaders during the weeklong conference. In addition to the many workshops and conference presenters, the festivities will also include an address by former U.S. President Clinton. 

“Cannes Lions is a place where creative communications professionals from around the world come to learn, debate and be inspired,” says Ward. “Through this new program, students who are learning to be successful social media professionals at home can now add international social media experience to their list of credentials.” 

Participating students include Heather Cosson; Ismelda De Leon; Christina Fieni; Alison Phalen; and Lynessa Marie Williams. 

Ward has brought more than 200 students on study abroad programs and teaches students and pros how to use social media to engage, collaborate and communicate professionally. He enjoys helping connect students and professionals to learn about all forms of communication and creativity.