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MeemanNewsletter of the Department of Journalism and Strategic Matters Media December 2017 networking trip MEMPHIS.EDU/JRSM a success for students INSIDE MM ❱❱

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Events to mark MLK 50 ❱❱ 2

PR student talks at commencement ❱❱

New team to head Daily Helmsman ❱❱ 3 PHOTO ROXANE COCHE Melissa Knowles, a correspondent for “Morning Express with Robin Meade” on HLN, meets KKK is topic with UofM journalism students on their networking trip to Atlanta during the fall break. of prof’s book ❱❱ 3 By HIRA QURESHI The bus broke down about 20 minutes Fifteen students from the Journalism from Atlanta. With the help of the group’s Three study abroad and Strategic Media Department partici- bus driver, Coche arranged for taxis to trips planned ❱❱ 3 pated in the fall break networking trip to bring the group to its first stop: The World Atlanta, which gave them a chance to meet of Coca-Cola. After the tour, students had media professionals and attend a panel some free time to get dinner. One student inspired with UofM alumni. The next day, students visited the College while in Atlanta ❱❱ 3 The trip was led by journalism professor Hall of Fame where they spoke with a rep- Roxane Coche, who set up meetings with resentative and toured the building. Stu- Alumni event dents then went to a panel with three UofM the media professionals. The students visit- honors seven ❱❱ 4 ed the College Football Hall of Fame, Atlan- alumni at the Wimbish House, an historic ta Journal Constitution, CNN and Coca-Cola home in Midtown Atlanta. World Headquarters. Panelists talked about their experienc- New faculty member “It provided good insight on what the es at UofM and life after college. After the likes Memhphis ❱❱ 5 hands-on world of broadcasting and PR was panel, students networked with alumni at like,” said Saira Sikandar, a creative mass a reception, and the day ended with a din- ner at Tap: A Gastropub organized by the Columnist offers media major in the department. ❱❱ Students departed from the UofM alum- department. Also joining the group were advise for all 6 ni center at 6 a.m. on Oct. 14, but there was department chair David Arant and recent a glitch just before arriving. FOIC event has ❱❱ CONTINUED PAGE 8 30 year history ❱❱ 7

1 Meeman Matters Department working with December 2017 UofM to mark King 50 events Vol. 2, Issue 2 During the spring 2018 semes- nalist Dorothy Gilliam. The first A publication of the ter, the University of Memphis will African American woman reporter host a series of lectures, confer- at , Gilliam Department of Journalism ences and presentations in solemn covered many of the pivotal events and Strategic Media, 300 remembrance of the 50th anniver- of the . Meeman, University of sary of the assassination of Martin Then, at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Memphis, 3711 Veterans Luther King Jr. March 31, at the Halloran Center Ave., Memphis, TN, 38152. King was killed on downtown, our College of Commu- April 4, 1968, when nication and Fine Arts will screen he stepped out on the “At the River I Stand,” a documen- Department Chair balcony of the Lor- tary in which UofM professors David Arant raine Motel to go to David Appleby, Allison Graham and dinner at the house Steve Ross recount the two months Assistant Chair of the Rev. Billy Kyles. ARANT leading up to the Dr. King’s death. Kyles had invited On April 2 and 3, the Nation- Sandra Utt King to Memphis to al Civil Rights Museum and the march in support of the city’s san- University of Memphis host their Administrative Asst. itation workers, who were striking MLK50 Symposium that addresses Teri Hayslett for a 10-cents-an-hour wage in- the state of civil and human rights crease, improvements in workplace issues and racial and economic safety and basic dignity under equity 50 years after the death Faculty their “I Am a Man” banner. King of Dr. King. The symposium will Robby Byrd, Roxane Coche, was a pivotal figure in the non-vi- culminate with a commemorative Tori Cliff, Pam Denney, Matt olent movement in the Civil Rights ceremony on April 4 at the Civil Haught, Joe Hayden, Tom struggle for equal protection under Rights Museum. Hrach, Melissa Janoske, the law for black men and women On April 2, the symposium in this nation. takes place downtown at the UofM Candy Justice, Stephanie I’ve led countless out-of-town School of Law with panel discus- Madden, Kim Marks, Otis guests through the National Civil sions on topics covering criminal Sanford, Ruoxu Wang, Bob Rights Museum, which retained justice, voting rights, persistent Willis, Jin Yang. the Lorraine Hotel’s façade with poverty and 21st century activism. the rooms King’s party occupied Eric H. Holder Jr., 82nd attorney and the balcony on which King was general of the United States from Adjunct faculty shot. At a conference I organized in 2009 to 2015, speaks at a ticketed Kerry Crawford, Casey 2007, I was moved by Kyles’ eyewit- luncheon at the Peabody Hotel. HIlder, Megan Mallicoat, ness account of that night, April 4, On April 3, the symposium Amanda Mauck, Jason 1968, as he stood on the stairs just moves to the UofM Rose Theatre for Terrell, Bryan Robinson, below King when three panel discussions -- Memphis fired his rifle from his boarding 50 Years Later, Marching Forward; Andrea Wiley. house bathroom window across the Poverty & Economic Equity: Yester- street. day, Today and Tomorrow; and The Graduate assistants Members of a Journalism and Promise of Education. King biog- Dana Cooper, Jamara Strategic Media spring semester rapher speaks at a Haymore, Addie James, class, taught in partnership with ticketed lunch at the University of the Civil Rights Museum, will in- Memphis Holiday Inn. Brittney Gathen, Michael terview still-surviving participants I hope you can join us for one or Robinson. in the sanitation workers strike all of these events. If you have not as well as current social justice visited the newly renovated Na- Contact Meeman Matters activists in preparation of a docu- tional Civil Rights Museum, do so editor Tom Hrach at mentary. the next time you are in the city. If I invite you to join us at 6 p.m., you let me know when you’re visit- [email protected]. Tuesday, March 13, in the UC River ing, I’ll be happy to lead the tour. Room for the Norm Brewer lecture David Arant is chair of Journalism by former Washington Post jour- and Strategic Media.

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 2 NEWS BRIEFS Professor discusses KKK rise in Germany Tanjev Schultz, professor of jour- nalism at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, gave an address to about 100 people on Sept. 12 in the UC River Room titled “The Ku Klux Clan and Right-wing terrorism in German. Schultz visited the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media for two weeks in early September. The department has an exchange relationship with the Gutenberg University whereby professors and students participate in an ex- change every semester. Schultz is the author of “Ka- puzenmänner: Der Ku Klux Klan in PHOTO DAVID ARANT Camille Rose Potter speaks at the Dec. 17 UofM graduation ceremony. Pot- Deutschland.” In English, the book ter, who earned her bachelor of art’s degree in public relations, was the title means “Hooded Men: The Ku first student selected as the commencement speaker in a new effort to Klux Klan in Germany.” highlight top graduates at the commencement exercises. New team named to lead Helmsman Networking trip to Atlanta put it The Student Publications Board on Dec. 12 named the new leader- all in perspective for one student ship team for The Daily Helmsman The fall networking trip to At- encers to share some of their for the spring 2018 semester. lanta opened my eyes to the world thoughts and memories about Editor in chief is Mitchell Koch. of possibilities in Coca-Cola, whether it be good or He will be assisted by managing journalism, pub- bad. The latter campaign includ- editors Makayla Boswell and Nick lic relations and ed an appearance from the late Lingerfelt. The board also thanked advertising. It actress Carrie Fisher. outgoing editor in chief Gus Car- also inspired me At the Atlanta Journal-Consti- rington for his work. to start thinking tution, we sat in on one of their about my own afternoon newsroom meetings Three study abroad future and get and got a fly-on-the-wall perspec- my act togeth- tive on what it looks like to work trips being planned er now and not Lingerfelt in a newsroom. We got to speak to Department of Journalism and wait until gradu- reporters and editors. We picked Strategic Media faculty members ation. their brains on various topics are leading three overseas trips in At Coca-Cola, we met with Kate from career advice to how they do the summer of 2018 for students. Hartman, group director of public their jobs. Jin Yang is leading a trip to China relations, who informed us on We also visited CNN, and I was titled “Food and Culture: A Journey the ins and outs of her job. She surprised at the size of the oper- to China” from May 8 to 25. Roxane showed us some of the campaigns ation. People know CNN is one of Coche is leading a trip to England the company has been working on the media giants, but knowing it and Germany titled “Football in Eu- like one it hopes will focus and seeing it are different things. rope: Reporting on American Sport from its main Coca-Cola soft We got to see some of its opera- Abroad” from July 15 to 30. drink to some of the other prod- tion for Spanish-speaking popula- Tom Hrach is leading a trip to ucts such as Dasani, Powerade tions and meet renowned jour- Mainz Germany titled “Media, Fake and Vitamin Water. nalists such as Lynda Kinkade, a News and Right-wing Movements” Another campaign showed CNN anchor from Australia, and from May 8 to 30. where the company got influ- ❱❱ CONTINUED PAGE 8

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 3 Journalism alumni club honors seven for service, performance By HIRA QURESHI The Journalism Alumni Club Out- standing Awards dinner on Oct. 12 honored three outstanding alum- ni of the Journalism and Strategic Media department along with three faculty members and one current student. The event was at the UofM Holi- day Inn, and it attracted more than 100 people. Recognized were: Sandra Utt, assistant chairman and head of the Adverting major, who received the Herbert Lee Wil- liams Award. “It was a great honor and very nice to be recognized among your PHOTO TREY CLARK colleagues,” Utt said. The Journalism Alumni Club recognized Jerome Wright, Michelle Collis, San- Brittney Adu, senior Public Re- dra Utt, Brittany Adu and Elle Perry at its award dinner on Oct. 12 at the UofM lations major, who received the Holiday Inn. Emerging Media Professional Award. uate and digital producer and social “I’m thrilled,” Denney said. Jerome Wright, a 1972 graduate engagement manager at the Mem- “Driving over here I was thinking and director of communications phis Business Journal, who received about my first editor I ever had at LeMoyne-Owen College, who the Outstanding Young Alumna many many years ago, many de- received the Charles E. Thornton Award. cades ago and he told me there are Award. “I’m pretty excited about it, pret- three things I had to remember as “This is quite an honor, as I said ty flattered,” Perry said. “I think it a journalist. And that was to be cu- earlier I helped plan a lot of these (the award) means a lot because it rious about everything, to assume when I was in the alumni commit- means somebody thought enough nothing and to leave your ego at tee but I never ever ever thought of my work that I’ve done so far that the door, and that has guided me that I would be actually receiving they would invite me because I won through a lot of work.” an award,” Wright said. “So it’s this.” very special. UofM and the journal- Tori Cliff, professor and academ- ism department have a very special ic adviser for journalism students at place in my heart.” the UofM’s Lambuth campus, who Michelle Collis, a 1976 and 1995 received the D. Mike Pennington graduate and vice president of Pa- Award for Outstanding Mentoring. tient and Family Centered Care at “I’m elated,” Cliff said. “I’m an Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, alum and so to be working with who also received the Charles E. the same people that taught me is Thornton Award. enough of an award already, but “I am so grateful and honored,” then to be recognized in this fash- Collis said. “I got the most incredi- ion — like I can’t even explain it. I’m ble education in the journalism pro- bubbly and giddy and euphoric. It’s grams. You know I have two degrees amazing.” from University of Memphis, both Pamela Denney, professor and from the journalism department. author of “The Food Lovers’ Guide And it prepared me so much for the to Memphis,” who also received the fabulous career that I’ve had.” D. Mike Pennington Award for Out- PHOTO TREY CLARK Elle Perry, a 2007 and 2012 grad- standing Mentoring. Professor Tori Cliff with her award.

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 4 From Penn State to the Pyramid New faculty member brings experience, research to UofM

Ruoxu Wang joined the faculty of the Department of Journalism “Compared to my hometown and Strategic Media in August. Af- in China, Memphis is not that ter completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at North Dakota big, but it’s still a big city. I State University in 2010 and 2013, like it so far, and the weather respectively, Wang completed her here is really hot. I have been doctorate at Penn State University experiencing a lot of interest- this year. ing attractions, too. We saw Melding her love of research with her interest in improving user expe- the Pyramid, and the sightsee- riences with interactive web design, ing is magnificent.” Wang also worked as a research in- - Ruoxu Wang, assistant pro- tern for Samsung Research Ameri- fessor Journalism and Strategic ca in California’s Silicon Valley. Media. Originally from Hefei, the capital of China’s Anhui Province, Wang and her husband moved to Mem- for the department’s colloquia se- phis from Pennsylvania prior to the ries on Sept. 22. Could you describe start of the fall 2017 semester. the research you presented there? Q: What was it like moving to A: I did an experiment to exam- Memphis? ine the effects of parallax scrolling, A: It’s a lot of change, I think, be- which is a technique that is used cause I was doing my Ph.D. at Penn in product presentation websites. State and living in State College. It’s Basically, the object that is placed a college town, so not as big as Mem- on the foreground is moving faster PHOTO DANA COOPER phis, but I feel like life in Memphis than the objects in the background, Ruoxu Wang leads her Creative Strat- is quite convenient. Compared to so it creates a 3D effect. In our egy class through a lesson. my hometown in China, Memphis is study, we found that if people don’t not that big, but it’s still a big city. I perceive the parallax scrolling tech- social media can probably influence like it so far, and the weather here is nique as vivid, cool, natural or easy other people’s self-esteem and life really hot. I have been experiencing to use, they don’t have high user satisfaction, so you should be cau- a lot of interesting attractions, too. engagement with the website. How- tious before you post something. We saw the Pyramid, and the sight- ever, if people think the technique Q: What are some of your favorite seeing is magnificent. is cool, vivid and easy and natural things about teaching? Q: What led you to study this? to use, they will be highly engaged A: The most interesting thing I A: When I was an undergraduate with the website and more likely like to do with the students is to let student, my major was in commu- to initiate action with the product, them do in-class activities where nication and journalism: Broad- like buy it or recommend it to their they can really apply what they casting and Mass Communication friends. have learned in the lecture to real Technology. Communication can Q: You’ve also done research on life. This past week, I asked my incorporate knowledge from many social media effects. What are some Creative Strategy students to draw other fields, too. Since my research takeaways from your selfie study thumbnails for one of their creative area is in media facts and persua- that people might find interesting? projects. Some students are afraid sion in the context of strategic com- A: We explored the behaviors of of drawing and they will tell me, munication and communication sharing selfies and groupies – group “No, I can’t draw!” But eventually, technology, you can see that what selfies – to social media. What’s in- they start to draw something on the you learn here is not just communi- teresting is that we found that view- paper, and they start to treat it seri- cation research methods or commu- ing selfies and groupies can actual- ously. They find that they’re actual- nication theory. Communication in ly influence people’s self-esteem, ly pretty good artists, and that’s the itself is really broad and that’s why which is a major take away from I wanted to learn it. the study. “Think before you post” ❱❱ CONTINUED TO PAGE 7 Q: You were the first presenter is our conclusion. Your behavior on

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 5 Metro columnist urges journalists to get out of their comfort zones BY ALICIA DAVIDSON Commercial Appeal metro col- umnist Tonyaa Weathersbee told student journalists to “get out of your comfort zone” when she spoke at the University of Memphis chap- ter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ 36th Annual Freedom of Information Congress Weathersbee, a seasoned report- er both in and outside of Memphis with prior experience at The Flor- ida Times Union in Jacksonville, , has traveled extensively in her journalism career, mostly in the Latin American nation of Cuba. Weathersbee spoke on Nov. 15 in the UC River Room. “This lecture will be particularly beneficial to you if you have a pas- sion for journalism and telling sto- PHOTO TOM HRACH ries,” Weathersbee said. “I know Commercial Appeal metro colunist Tonyaa Weathersbee speaks to about 75 that there are people who some- people Nov. 15 at the Freedom of Information Congress at the UC River Room. times question why they are still doing journalism, and my goal is The second image is a picture of a der (also known as the Kerner Com- to reinforce to you the reasons why transexual I photographed at a bar mission) to determine the cause of good journalists are still needed in in Cuba. One wouldn’t normally these riots. spite what’s happening in the dig- associate Cuba with gay bars, but “The Kerner Commission deter- ital age— why we still need good Cuba has all kinds of things— but mined that the media failed to com- storytellers. We still need people to we don’t see that portrayed in the municate to both black and white be able to come out and tell people’s American media.” audiences a sense of the problems stories and get to the heart of what Weathersbee then showed a America was facing, and poten- makes everybody human— what quote on the projector by The tial solutions to those problems,” makes some things work, and what Hutchins Commission on a Free and Weathersbee said. makes some things not work.” Responsible Press, circa 1947, which Weathersbee said that the Kerner Weathersbee said that as a jour- read: “It is no longer enough to re- Commission’s findings suggested nalist or aspiring journalist, one port the fact truthfully. It is now that due to the media remaining in must make a commitment to get necessary to report the truth about their comfort zone during the riots, beyond their own experiences. the fact.” many things that “blew up” in the With the click of a mouse at the pre- That quote is important for jour- cities could have been prevented— sentation that attracted about 75 nalists to know. had the media not remained firmly people, Weathersbee displayed two “Many times in our history the in their comfort zone. rather intriguing images onto the press has failed to do just that— “Your ‘comfort zone’ is an easy projector. they have failed to produce the place to watch things from afar. But “As journalists, we have a re- truth about the fact,” Weathersbee that is in no way a good place for a sponsibility to get out of our com- said. journalist to be,” Weathersbee said. fort zone and look at the lives that Weathersbee said one of the best “During the Detroit riots, reporters surround us,” Weathersbee said. examples was in the summer of merely relied on police reports to “The first image is me on a Jackson- 1967 when riots broke out in Detroit compile pieces for local media sto- ville beach with a homeless man— toward the end of the Civil Rights ries— they weren’t stepping out of that was one of my first instances movement. Then President Lyndon their comfort zones, they weren’t of getting out of my comfort zone Johnson appointed the National Ad- by living at the homeless shelter. visory Commission on Civil Disor- ❱❱ CONTINUED TO PAGE 7

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 6 Tell the facts behind the truth, says columnist ❱❱ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 interviewing the protesters. As a result, journalists were telling the technical ‘truth,’ but they weren’t reporting the facts behind the truth— that yes, there were riots, but there was also systemic racism, PHOTO TOM HRACH rampant unemployment, and nega- Commercial Appeal metro columnist Tonyaa Weathersbee meets with stu- tive things of that nature being ex- dents after her presentation on Nov. 15 in the UC River Room. perienced by many African-Ameri- cans at the time.” The event started in 1982 with Previous FOI Congress speakers were top names the goal to bring an inspiration and 1984 Bernard Kalb, CNN; 1985 2002 Robin Wright, Los Angeles prominent speaker to campus to Steve Bell; 1986 Bob Schieffer, CBS; Times; 2003 Rick Bragg, New York discuss important issues in journal- 1987 Helen Thomas, United Press Times; 2004 , CNN; ism, said Tom Hrach, associate pro- International; 1988 , 2005 Thomas French, St. Petersburg fessor of the Journalism and Strate- NBC; 1989 , CNN. Times; 2007 David Broder, Washing- gic Media Department and also the 1990 III, Knight ton Post; 2008 Betty Nguyen, CNN; advisor for the Society of Profes- Foundation CEO; 1991 Daniel 2009 Media and race panel. sional Journalists chapter. Schorr, NPR; 1992 , 2010 Clarence Page, Chicago “When we were first deciding CNN and NBC; 1993 Nina Toten- Tribune; 2011 Mara Leveritt, author, who was going to be our guest at berg, NPR; 1994 William Raspberry, & West Memphis 3 panel ; 2012 this event way back in the summer Washington Post; 1995 , , New York Times; 2013 our goal was to bring someone to CBS; 1996 Carl Bernstein, Washing- Michael Koretzky, journoterrorist; campus who could be an inspira- ton Post; 1997 Bettina Gregory, ABC; 2014 Hampton Sides, author; 2015 tion to young people getting into 1998 Barrie Dunsmore. ABC; 1999 Jan Schaffer, excutive director journalism, advertising, and public Jack Anderson, columnist. J-Lab; 2016 Frank LoMonte, Student relations,” Hrach said. “We most 2000 Bob Love, Rolling Stone; Press Law Center; 2016 Mark Tatge, certainly met that goal.” 2001 Michael Hill, Washington Post; business journalist. New faculty brings experience to department

ars and researchers in your field. ment. ❱❱ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 That selfie study was actually cited Q: What is your most memorable by a well-known scholar in psychol- Memphis experience so far? part I enjoy the most. ogy. As a teacher, the proudest mo- A: Visiting the Pyramid would be Q: What have your proudest mo- ment is when you see your students one of them. We also went to some ments been as a researcher and an become successful. When they get other places, like the casinos here, instructor? a good internship. When they get a and the buffets are very relaxing. A: As a researcher, the proudest great job. And they come to you and But I guess the Pyramid tour would moment is probably when your pa- they tell you this news. I actually be the most exciting one, because per is recognized as the top paper in had a student come to me at the end you don’t usually see a pyramid in a conference, or when your paper of the semester and he shook my a city right in the United States. It’s has been cited by well-known schol- hand. He said, “Thank you for doing very unique. this for us.” It was a rewarding mo- Interview by Dana Cooper

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2017 7 CNN, Coke, local newspaper all on agenda for three-day Atlanta trip ❱❱ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

UofM journalism graduate Janika Bates, who had just started a posi- tion working at Turner Sports. On the third day of the trip, stu- dents visited CNN where they met with Melissa Knowles, correspon- dent on the “Morning Express with Robin Meade” on HLN, and Mike Galanos, HLN host. After lunch, the students visited the Atlanta Journal Constitution newsroom where Se- nior Editor Ken Foskett spoke about the newspaper and his career. Stu- dents also attended an editors’ meeting. The last visit was the Coca-Cola PHOTO ROXANE COCHE Headquarters where they met Kate UofM journalism students enjoy some of the samples on the tour of the World Hartman, the group director of of Coca-Cola while on the fall break networking trip on Oct. 14 to 16. brand public relations. She talked about public relations, her career and Coca-Cola’s public relations ef- Coche said the three-day experi- journalism and strategic media forts. ence was a success. could offer. Students arrived back at the “It was a good first effort for a Students who were on the trip UofM alumni center at just before networking trip,” Coche said “We were Jon Morgan Bell, Lauren Ben- midnight on Oct. 16. had some challenges – for instance ton, Makayla Boswell, Raven Co- “Being able to sit at a round table the bus breaking down. But the stu- peland, Brittany Cousin, Shayne at AJC and take a look at the behind dents enjoyed themselves, and they Dotson, Brittney Gathen, Kevin the scenes of Coca-Cola allowed us were able to meet media profes- Johnson, Nick Lingerfelt, Jenna to see what our individual fields of sionals in several areas, which was Mehmed, Rachel Patterson, Hira study were really like,” Sikandar the goal.” Qureshi, Jailenn Scott, Saira Sikan- said. “Sitting in a classroom and be- As for the future, students said dar and Jurnee Taylor. Tom Hrach contributed to this arti- ing lectured can only go so far com- that the trip opened their eyes to cle. pared to a hands-on experience.” the possibilities that a degree in Journalism, strategic media all about stories ❱❱ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 brand and what it means to people. I chose journalism on the first I have always wondered why jour- day of orientation because I decid- Melissa Knowles, a CNN correspon- nalism, public relations, advertis- ed I needed to pursue this degree. dent for “Morning Express with ing and now creative mass media This trip opened my eyes to life Robin Meade” on HLN. It was such get grouped together in the same after college. Students may be a privilege to receive advice from department, and it is because they struggling right now with assign- people who have attained such all tell stories — large and small — ments and tests and cannot even success. about people and their lives. think about two weeks from now All of these people, from public This trip made me realize it is much less two years, but some- relations specialists to CNN an- time to get serious about what I times you have to take a step back chors, are storytellers. They tell the want to do with my life. I plan to and see if choices you are making story of people affected by devas- graduate in the spring of 2019. Af- in this moment are the ones lead- tating natural disasters, local and ter that, what? For the longest time, ing you to where you want to be. national elections or even just their I did not know. Nick Lingerfelt is a journalism

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