As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, Arizona is an exciting place to pursue a communications career. The state employment agency projects a 4% growth in the number of media and communications workers between 2008 and 2018, with particularly notable growth in public relations and advertising, where 8.6% growth is expected.
The large Hispanic population makes Arizona an especially good place to find work in Spanish-language media. According to the US Census Bureau, 30% of the state is of Hispanic or Latino origin, while Adweek reports that Phoenix is the second-fastest growing Hispanic market in the country. Communications majors will find the most opportunities in big cities like Phoenix and Tucson, although smaller cities are also expanding.
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, creative writing 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.
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
The Arizona Office of Employment reports that public relations jobs are likely to increase over the next few years. The state forecasts that jobs for PR managers will grow by 5.6% between 2008 and 2018, while jobs for PR specialist will grow 13.5% during the same period. When it comes to advertising, Phoenix is a promising place to find work: the city is headquarters for two major companies that specialize in outdoor advertising, Clear Channel Outdoor and CBS Outdoor.
Public Relations and Advertising Firms
- HMA Public Relations
- Rose+Moser+Allyn
- BJC Public Relations
- The Lavidge Company
- E.B. Lane
- Polaris Communications
- Walker Agency Marketing Communications
- The Caliber Group
Professional Associations for Advertising and Public Relations
- Public Relations Society of America – Southern Arizona chapter
- Public Relations Society of America – Phoenix chapter
- American Advertising Federation Metro Phoenix
TV and Radio Broadcasting
Radio and television are an important part of the media landscape in Arizona. Phoenix is the 12th largest television market in the country, according to Nielsen, and is home to dynamic commercial and public programming. In Tucson, the PBS-affiliate KUAT-TV produces the well-regarded nightly newsmagazine Arizona Illustrated, created in part by university students – a great chance for communications majors to practice their skills.
Phoenix is the 15th biggest radio market in the country, according to research firm Arbitron, and the 14th biggest Hispanic market. In Phoenix alone, there are seven Spanish-language radio stations. Overall, the state has 249 radio stations, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Resources and Professional Associations for TV and Radio Broadcasting
Journalism
Arizona’s biggest paper is the Phoenix-based Arizona Republic, which is the 17th-largest paper in America, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Phoenix is also home to popular alternative weekly the Phoenix New Times, and is home base for Village Voice media, publisher of alternative weeklies around the country.
Local Newspapers and Guides
- Arizona Republic
- TucsonCitizen.com
- Phoenix New-Times
- Arizona Capitol Times
- Arizona Daily Star
- Phoenix Business Journal
- Phoenix Gazette
- Tucson Weekly
- The Daily Courier
- Inside Tucson Business
- The Northwest Explorer
- The Winslow Mail
Journalism Associations:
- Society of Professional Journalists Valley of the Sun Pro Chapter
- Arizona Newspapers Association
- Arizona Interscholastic Press Association
- Arizona Latino Media Association
- Arizona Press Club
Print Publishing
Arizona is home to a number of small publishers as well as the University of Arizona press, which focuses on anthropology, Latino, environmental, and regional titles. Tucson is particularly active in the poetry scene, with the annual Poetry Festival (going strong for thirty years) and its well-established Poetry Center, which boasts almost 70,000 items in its collection.
Publishing Companies
- Southwest Publishing
- University of Arizona Press
- Poisoned Pen Press
- Bilingual Review Press
- Five Star Publications
- Chax Press
- Sonoran Publishing
- Salina Bookshelf
- Acacia Publishing
- Winmark Communications
- Canyon Press
- Heritage Publishers
- Holcomb Hathaway, Publishers
- Inkwell Productions
- Mountain View Publishing
- Wheatmark
Book Publishing Associations and Resources