The Public Relations Association of Northern Greece in collaboration with the Political Science Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki announces that the 6th International Political Marketing Conference will take place in Thesalloniki – Greece between the 23rd – 25th April 2010.

A new world is beginning to take shape before our eyes, the world of the ‘network society’ to use Manuel Castells’ evocative phrase. Social theorists such as Castells argue that the network society is the social structure of the Information Age, being made up of networks of production, power and experience (Jan A.G.M. van Dijk, 2006).

The topic for the 2010 conference focuses on the use of the Internet as a medium through which to communicate and interact  with interested parties who will play a role in a political campaign.

At the level of society and on a global scale we can see that social media and social networks reach into the farthest corners and edges Contemporary literature abounds with expressions such as ‘we live in a connected world’, ‘a connected age’, a ‘human web’ and a ‘web society’. At first sight this seems rather peculiar because simultaneously there is much talk about individualization, social fragmentation, independence and freedom.

Certainly, the recent Obama victory in the U.S. has given much momentum to the use of these methods to carry out many different activities that were up until now restricted to "old" media: For example, fundraising; volunteer efforts; communication between the campaign organization and opinion leaders, especially journalists; war room activities to respond to negative messages in the media.  From a marketing perspective, the distinction between a Network and Media ties into promotion and distribution.  As a media outlet, it is all about communication between parties.  As a network, it goes beyond communication and calls for the interface between the campaign and interested parties, interacting on a physical level, be it grass-roots efforts; money-raising, or any other campaign-related activity that calls for the face-to-face interaction between parties.

The conference will include a keynote speech by Professor Bruce Newman (DePaul University, Chicago).

Academic papers for the conference will be peer-reviewed (deadline for submission: 4th March 2010). The best papers from the conference will be invited for submission to the Journal of Political Marketing.

The Conference tracks will include several different topics, with recommended ones listed below. (Submissions can also be in other areas of research in political marketing):

If you would like to suggest and chair a special track,

please contact the conference organiser Ms Anastasia Tsochantaridou ( q-me@otenet.gr ).

   

    Important Dates

You can take part in two ways:

Please contact the conference organiser Ms Anastasia Tsochantaridou

by mail : (q-me@otenet.gr), or check the Website www.edisve.gr  for new information.

Abstracts should include author(s) name, institution, contact address/e-mail and title. Abstracts (approximately 500 words) should indicate background, theoretical/ practical implications, methods and/or data sources, and indicative findings of the paper. Authors should also indicate clearly which theme(s) of the conference their proposed paper relates to.

All abstracts will be subject to double-blind review by at least two members of the scientific committee. Acceptance of a submission will be based on: theoretical and empirical significance; methodological soundness; relevance to the theme of the conference; technical competency; and logical clarity.

Abstracts not clearly related to the theme of the conference will not be accepted. Please specify 3 to 4 keywords in the heading of your abstract. Also mention the theme out of the list of theme's listed at the "Call for papers", which fit your abstract best.

The deadline for the submission of abstracts is the 10th of March, 2010.

Abstracts can be submitted either via the Abstract Submission page on the Conference Website or by e-mail at submissions@polmark.org

The Conference Administrator (q-me@otenet.gr) will not be responsible for abstract submissions not received via the above two modes of submission.

Confirmation of receipt of the submission will be sent by e-mail to the first author listed.

Contact the Conference Administrator Ms Anastasia Tsochantaridou (q-me@otenet.gr), if you do not receive an e-mail within 48 hours (two days) of submitting your abstract.

Lack of e-mail confirmation indicates that your abstract was not received.

The official language of the conference is English.

REGISTRATION (conference)

Registration for EDISVE '10 and its affiliated events is now open.

Please use this 3 steps form to register

The registration is handled by the Conference Organizing Commitee.

They can confirm your registration, and answer any questions or requests you may have regarding your registration.

(the price includes registration, paper presentation,

conference kit, coffee breaks, light lunches and two dinners (formal and traditional)

(the price includes registration, conference kit, coffee breaks,

light lunches and one dinner (traditional))

(Undergraduate and postgraduate students - confirmation/proof needed by their university)

The price includes registration, conference kit, coffee breaks, light lunches and one dinner (traditional).