Experts can discuss Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl topics
Super Bowl LVI and Valentine’s Day fall on the same long weekend this year. CU Boulder experts are available to discuss a variety of topics, including research on singles, breaking up in the digital age and Super Bowl ads to watch for.
Super Bowl
On Super Bowl ads of past and present
Alixandra Barasch, professor of marketing at the Leeds School of Business, focuses on consumer behavior and well-being with a focus on consumer psychology. She can discuss how Super Bowl commercials have become a cultural touch point for Americans, how big brands have adapted their Super Bowl marketing strategy to leverage social media, what’s changed about Super Bowl ads and trends that have lasted the test of time, among other topics.
Morgan Young, assistant teaching professor of advertising, public relations and media design, has managed, written, directed and produced countless integrated marketing communications, including creating Super Bowl ads for major brands. He can discuss what ads to watch for on the big day, which ones made the most impact and how Super Bowl commercials have evolved over time.
Glenn Griffin, associate professor of advertising, public relations and media design, focuses primarily on the subject of advertising creativity. He can speak about the creative process and the power of ideas when it comes to creating the best Super Bowl commercials.
On football participation among youth
Professor Roger Pielke Jr. can discuss trends in participation in youth football in recent years. Pielke studies sports governance and is the author of The Edge: The War Against Cheating and Corruption in the Cutthroat World of Elite Sports. His research has shown that football participation has declined at the high school level in recent years, in part due to concerns about injuries.
Valentine’s Day
On solos
New Pew Research shows that 25% of American adults are not interested in dating. Peter McGraw, professor of marketing and psychology, is among the first to scientifically research singles and can provide insight on this shifting narrative. McGraw can offer tips for singles to feel empowered as Valentine’s Day––sometimes referred to as Singles Awareness Day––approaches. McGraw has launched a podcast called Solo: A Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life—a resource for businesses looking to escape the competition by service singles in the marketplace.
On breaking up in the age of Facebook
Anthony Pinter, a PhD candidate in the Department of Information Science, is available to discuss the new challenges facing the recently-split in the age of social media and what people can do to move on. His research shows that things like notifications that an ex is now “in a relationship” or romantic photos that pop up in a ‘memories’ feed, can make breakups today more difficult than ever. “Before social media, breakups still sucked, but it was much easier to get distance from the person,” said Pinter.
On the neurobiology of love
Zoe Donaldson, associate professor of behavioral neuroscience, can discuss the neurobiology of love, including which hormones underlie it. Donaldson studies prairie voles—one of the few mammals which, like humans, tend to mate for life—to better understand what goes on in the brain to help individuals form bonds and recover from loss. Her work is featured in the February 2023 issue of Scientific American.