Melanie Cherry

Melanie Cherry is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice of Journalism and Associate Director of the Public Relations and Advertising (BA) program at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She has over 20 years of experience in agency, corporate, and nonprofit communications across entertainment, fashion, sports, hospitality, and finance sectors.

Education:

• MA in Public Relations, Syracuse University
• BS in Information Systems Technology, Syracuse University

Research interests focus on integrated communication strategies, marketing in arts/culture sectors, and digital strategy development. Her professional experience includes roles at major PR firms in New York (managing clients like Nike and Toyota) and leadership at the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica, where she shaped branding and marketing initiatives. She also led digital strategy for Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).

Teaching responsibilities include courses on business/economic foundations of PR (PR 429) and directed research (PR 490/590).