Experts on political conventions

* 'Showbiz Politics' prof on history of political parties, entertainment factor from the conventions

* Political communication on nominee speeches, party image and political convention history

* Prof on political strategy for the conventions

'Showbiz Politics' prof on history of political parties, entertainment factor from the conventions

Kathryn Cramer Brownell, an assistant professor of history and author of "Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life," can discuss media coverage of the conventions, how the conventions also aim to entertain, and the history of the Republican and Democratic political parties. Brownell can talk about how celebrities and music are used in political campaigns, especially at the conventions, and how entertainment and Hollywood are part of overall political strategy. Her expertise also is in the political history of cable television, and the American presidency and pop culture.

CONTACT: Brownell is available for phone or email interviews via brownell@purdue.edu. Television interviews in the Massachusetts area also may be possible.

Political communication on nominee speeches, party image and political convention history

Josh Scacco, an assistant professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication who specializes in political communication, can discuss convention optics, such as stagecraft and party image, as well as convention communications, use of social media, and nominees' and guests' speeches.

Scacco, who also holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science and studies the communicative role elites and organizations play in American politics, also can talk about political convention history and convention effects, such as polling bounces and audience draw.

CONTACT: Scacco is available for phone, email or television interviews in West Lafayette. jscacco@purdue.edu

Prof on political strategy for the conventions

James McCann, professor of political science, can talk about how political conventions have evolved to more spectacle than substance as each party builds its image, and what that means for the 2016 election. McCann, who focuses on public opinion and political psychology, can also discuss the strategy behind each convention speaker and the parties' attempts to reach their target demographics.

McCann is a co-principal investigator of the "2012 Latino Immigrant National Election Study" (LINES), and is an expert on the political incorporation of immigrants in the United States.

CONTACT: McCann is available for phone, email or television interviews in West Lafayette or Indianapolis, 765-494-0738, mccannj@purdue.edu  

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu