David R. Craig

David R. Craig is an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Director of the Global Media and Communication (MA) program. His work bridges academic research with industry experience, focusing on media industries, digital media, and global entertainment ecosystems. Prior to academia, he was a Hollywood producer and television executive responsible for over 30 award-winning projects.

Research interests include cultural and political economy of media industries, creator culture, social media entertainment (wanghong in China), and the intersection of Hollywood and technology. He co-directs a dual master’s program with the London School of Economics and served as a visiting scholar at Harvard (2023-2024).

Publications include three books analyzing media industries and digital platforms, earning awards such as the Nancy Baym Book Award (2020) and recognition from the International Communication Association. His work emphasizes global media flows, streaming competition, and platform-driven content creation.

• Awards: Fulbright Scholarship (2023), ICA Book Award (2020)
• Lab Affiliation: Annenberg Innovation Lab
• Professional Background: 30+ produced projects with 70+ Emmy/Golden Globe nominations