Medill Kicks Off Crain Lecture Series October 9, October 13

EVANSTON, Ill. --- The new world of marketing and the psychology behind "scary" news stories are the subjects of the first two lectures in the 2008-09 Crain Lecture Series Thursday, Oct. 9, and Monday, Oct 13, at Northwestern University.

Michael Birkin, vice chairman of the Omnicom Group Inc., a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company, will discuss "Brands Beyond Beijing 2008" at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9. The lecture will take place at the McCormick Tribune Center Forum, 1870 Campus Drive, Evanston campus. Birkin also is chair and chief executive officer of Omnicom Asia Pacific.

At 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, David Ropeik will present "The Psychology of Risk: Just Why Do All Those Scary Stories Make 'Good' News?" A frequent commentator for National Public Radio and consultant in risk communication, Ropeik is the author of "Risk: A Practical Guide for Deciding What's Really Safe and What's Really Dangerous in the World Around You."

The popular, admission-free Crain Lecture Series is named in honor of magazine publishers Gertrude and G.D. Crain Jr. and presented by Northwestern's Medill School. For further information about the upcoming lecture, call (847) 491-5401 or visit http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/calendar/medillcalendar.aspx.