ABSTRACT
Media play an important role in the professional life of academics. The media contacts people in connection with their research and teaching activities. It may be surprising how often members of the print, broadcast, and digital electronic media reach out to universities and their faculty. On any given day at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, from 10 to 20 local, national, and/or international media inquiries will come to the dean, individual faculty, and/or into the college media relations office. The academic advantage of disinterested perspective implies certain ethical obligations, which begin with disclosure obligations. Multiple media engagements bolster a faculty member's service contributions, but teaching and research are almost always more important contributions during annual evaluations. Media engagement may be included in service or research contributions, especially after their publication in those high-quality academic outlets. Media engagement is one way people attract and build that outside interest.
