The communications industry is a powerhouse for community and culture in Tennessee. Here, students can wield their academic talents to reap professional prowess in advertising, public relations, communication studies, information sciences, journalism, electronic media, integrated marketing, cultural communication, health communication, news, and production. Through higher education, students gain access to coveted internships through esteemed media outlets like the Katz Media Group, Universal Digital Productions, Inc., the Nashville Pride, Inc., WUBT FM 101.1 “The Beat,” Filmhouse Inc., and Inevitable Entertainment.
Undergraduate Degrees in Communications – Choosing to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree with a major in communications will give you the qualifications you need to start a career in mass media and digital communications. Whether you’re interested in journalism and independent filmmaking, or marketing and public relations, the know-how needed to reach people with a targeted message starts with a degree in communications.
Master’s Degrees in Communications – No matter your professional background or undergraduate major, you could earn a master’s in communications to prepare for a career in any number of diverse areas that include journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media and more.
Public Relations and Marketing
Major cities located across Tennessee house public relation and marketing agencies and rely on college interns to ease their day-to-day workload. In Memphis, the Carter Malone Group stands out as the largest woman-owned public relations company in the Mid-South region while award-winning Lucinda Hall Public Relations stands tall in Brentwood. Further east, Knoxville is bursting with firms like Word’s Out Marketing and PR, LLC and Ackermann PR which fine-tune communication initiatives through direction in design, branding, social media, multimedia presentations, strategic planning, and publicity.
Nashville Public Relations Firms:
- Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence Public Relations
- Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc.
- Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations
- McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, LLC
- Peritus
- Revive Public Relations, LLC
- Seigenthaler Public Relations, Inc.
Resource for Public Relation and Marketing Majors
- Tennessee College Public Relations Association
- American Marketing Association-Nashville Chapter
- American Marketing Association-Knoxville Chapter
Publishing
A litany of publishers and publishing companies are the literary gems of Tennessee. The dedicated staff of Sheaf House Publishing, a small Christian press, produces books across a broad spectrum of genres including contemporary women’s fiction, historical fiction, young adult romance, mystery, time travel, and literary and speculative fiction. Iris Press Publishing Group, Inc. inspires the creative hearts and minds of local readers by cultivating works of poetry and literary prose. Music publishers are also making a splash in Tennessee with independent music publishing companies like Big Yellow Dog Music Publishing consistently pushing artists to greater heights.
Independent Book Publishers:
- Cool Springs Press
- Turner Publishing
- Mustang Publishing
Resource for Publishing Majors
Journalism
By getting involved with their college paper and other local news groups, journalism majors can gain an advantage over future competition. Currently, the most widely-read newspapers in the state include the Nashville Tennessean, the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Knoxville News Sentinel, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, and the Nashville City Paper. In 2012, the Tennessee Press Associated awarded top honors to the Greenville Sun, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, and the Dickson Herald. Special-interest periodicals like the Out & About Newspaper, the Nashville Medical News, and the Nashville Business Journal continue to add flavor to journalism landscape of the Volunteer State.
Newspapers:
- La Prensa Latina
- Nashville Pride
- Murfreesboro Vision
- Tennessee Tribune
- Memphis Tri-State Defender
Resource for Journalism Majors
TV and Radio Broadcasting
Several broadcasting companies work diligently to bring superior local series to Tennesseans, and enhance education by offering students volunteer and internships positions. The Upper Cumberland Public Television (WCTE) delivers residents programs like Bluegrass Underground, Live Green Tennessee, and the Watson Brown Show. The West Tennessee Public Television Council, Inc. (WLJT) keeps viewer abreast on high school and college sports, community events, music and arts, public affairs and politics in the area. And the Mid-South Public Communications Foundation (WKNO) features favorites like the Local Color, Behind the Headlines, and Sport Files with Geoff Calkins.
TV Broadcasting Companies:
- Morris Multimedia, Inc.
- New Age Media, LLC
- Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc.
- Newport Television, LLC
- Young Broadcasting, Inc.
Tennessee radio listeners depend on area broadcasters to keep them entertained and up-to-date on current community issues and events. The Lexington Broadcasting Service, Inc. (WZLT) has been spreading talk news, music, local sports and weather reports to Lexington and Henderson Country since 1954. Meanwhile, Brewer Media Broadcasting, located in Chattanooga, hustles to serve up traffic network on fourteen radio stations to Southeasters. Not to be outdone, Oneida Broadcasters, Inc., which began welcoming technology innovations via digital broadcasting in 2001, continues to bring distinctive programming to Scott County and neighboring locales.
Local Radio Stations:
- WFSK 88.1 FM
- WEUP 103.1 FM
- WSM 95.5 FM
- WETR 760 AM
- WQBB 1040 AM