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Karen Freberg

Associate Professor and Author
Teaches Social Media and Marketing
Website

Dr. Karen Freberg is a presenter, research consultant in social media and crisis communications and author whose research has been published in several book chapters and academic journals including Public Relations Review and Media Psychology Review.

Freberg is a full-time associate professor in strategic communications at the University of Louisville. She has presented at several U.S. and international research conferences, including ones in Australia, Brazil, China, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In addition to academic conferences, Freberg has presented at professional and trade conferences such as PRSA, SXSWedu, and Cannes Lions.

Freberg is also a research consultant in social media and crisis communications and has worked with several organizations and agencies such as Firestorm Solutions, Hootsuite, Kentucky Derby Festival, IMC Agency, DHS, CDC, National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, and the Colorado Ski Association. This experience led her to be a 2015 Plank Center Fellow for General Motors (GM), where her responsibility was to work with the PR and social media teams forming best practices and recommendations on social media measurement strategies and influencer marketing practices.

Freberg has coordinated and advised various companies on the areas of social media pedagogy and certification programs, such as Hootsuite (Advanced Social Media Certification and #HootAmb), Meltwater (certification program), Adobe (EDUMax Thought Leader), and Hubspot (Education program and podcast).

Along with her teaching, Freberg’s research has been published in several book chapters and in academic journals such as Public Relations Review, Media Psychology Review, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management and Health Communication.She also serves on the editorial board for Psychology for Popular Media Culture, Corporate Communication, Marketing Education Review, Journal of Public Relations Research, and Case Studies in Strategic Communication (CSSC). Freberg is also professionally active serving on the executive committee for the PRSA Entertainment and Sports section and is a regular contributor and a young professionals award judge for Front Office Sports.

Before coming to the University of Louisville, Freberg earned a PhD in Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee in May 2011, and a Master's degree in Strategic Public Relations at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California in August 2007. Freberg received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Relations at the University of Florida in August 2005.

Meet Karen

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Why do you teach in the program?
2:33 How do you bring the real world into your online classes?
4:44 How do you engage with students?
7:45 Fun (surprise) question

Dr. Freberg was amazing! I loved her enthusiasm and encouragement she gave each student. It really showed how much she cares about her students

By far the best instructor I had during my time in the DMC program. She challenged me as astudent but provided valuable feedback on work which allowed me to improve my quality ofwork. She always communicated well with the class and made my capstone experience verymemorable and enjoyable.

Dr. Freberg is an excellent instructor and an expert in the field of PR concepts and strategies. She was helpful with her suggestions, and she was ALWAYS encouraging. Before the class ended, I was already implementing many of the strategies I learned in this class, creating a smarter work environment while performing my job duties. Students who land in her class are truly fortunate!