2024 Paris Olympics Program

Learn about our Paris program

The Paris Olympics program provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about intercultural communication and multicultural advertising at one of the world's most prominent and diverse events: the Olympics! The program is designed for Advertising and Integrated Marketing and Communication majors who will have the rare opportunity to connect with premier global advertisers in action at a major event. They will gain insights into the varied aspects of advertising and marketing as they are used to promote brands to local and global audiences simultaneously.

This is truly a special opportunity. Students will live in Paris leading up to and during the Olympics as they learn from global marketing professionals about how advertising, marketing, and communication is leveraged at arguably one of the world's most important events.

Program Dates

Malibu: July 8, 2024 - July 16, 2024

Paris: July 16, 2024 - August 7, 2024

The dates listed above include an initial period of time on the Malibu campus and then a flight to Paris after the program start date. The end date represents the in-country return departure date.

Costs

Tuition: $2,070 per unit (same as Malibu tuition per unit)

Housing & Food: $2,696

Program Specific Costs:

Global Health Fee: $75

Course Requirements

5 unit minimum requirement.

Summer 2024 Paris Olympics Program Textbook List

Course Offerings

ADV 490 Special Topics in Advertising: Global Event Marketing and Advertising (4)

Prerequisite: ADV 375

Note: This course fulfills the GE Cultural Competence (CC) requirement, and can count towards an IMC Elective ("choose 1"), and ADV concentration. For more information, contact Dr. Stone Watt.

This course provides an in-depth study of subjects pertaining to the field of advertising. The Summer Olympics program will focus on marketing and advertising to diverse audiences in a global context. Students will spend one week in Malibu advancing their intercultural communication skills and background understanding of international marketing and advertising. Then, they will spend three weeks in Paris meeting with industry professionals representing major brands that have partnered with the Olympic Games to reach a global audience. Students will analyze strategies in action as they observe the campaigns in the city, particularly in and around sites associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HUM 295 Enriching the International Experience (1)

This course is designed to enrich the student’s international experience by providing opportunities to engage more fully with the culture and to reflect more deeply on the experience. It is the goal of this course to help students know how to look at and listen to their new culture and how to give meaning to their international experience. Taught only in International Programs. May be repeated in a different location. Cr/NC grading only.

Program Faculty Directors

Dr. Sarah Stone Watt

Professor of Communication
Divisional Dean of Seaver College’s Communication Division

Sarah Stone Watt was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication: Rhetorical Studies and a certificate in legal studies from California State University, Long Beach where she was an active member of the Speech and Debate Team. Then, she earned a masters degree in Communication & Journalism from the University of Wyoming, where she coached their highly competitive debate team and served as an advocate, court observer, and hotline volunteer at the local women’s shelter. She earned a PhD in Rhetoric and Women’s Studies at The Pennsylvania State University and coached debate at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY before returning to Southern California to join the faculty at Pepperdine. Dr. Stone Watt directed the Pepperdine Waves Debate program for 10 years and helped transition the team into civic and international debate competitions. Prior to becoming Divisional Dean of Communication, she served as the faculty in residence for Pepperdine International Programs in Buenos Aires and London. Dr. Stone Watt teaches courses in persuasion, intercultural communication, gender, and sustainability. She is excited to partner with Ben Price to help students combine their love of marketing and advertising with an eye toward persuasion of diverse audiences in the context of the Paris Olympics!

Professor Ben Price

An accomplished marketing and advertising leader, with a strong emphasis in marketing, advertising, strategic planning, and sales execution across a variety of media platforms. Proven team builder and mentor to industry executives from multiple disciplines. Specializes in innovative solutions for successful marketing and media partnerships.

Price is currently involved with a variety of marketing projects and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

As Executive Vice President at NBC Universal, Price oversaw agency and client relationships for all national offices including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta. In addition, he specialized in finding and developing custom solutions for NBCUniversal clients that leverage the scale, engagement, and impact of the entire NBCUniversal portfolio.

Before joining NBCUniversal, Price was at Discovery Communication, where he served as President, National Advertising Sales and oversaw all advertising sales for Discovery’s suite of US networks and digital platforms. He has also served in various national sales roles during his time at Discovery. He began his advertising career at Turner Broadcast in 1986.

Price received his Bachelor of Science from San Diego State University and Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Price’s civic and industry commitments included board positions on the Ad Council, International Radio and Television Society, thinkLA (Advertising Club of LA) and Video Advertising Board (VAB). He is a member of Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and Hollywood Radio and Television Society. Price is a board member of the YMCA, and Pencils for Kids, as well as an active volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of America, American Heart Association and the City of Hope Cancer Center. Price has been honored with industry accolades including Cablefax Mentor of the Year and thinkLA’s John Marin Memorial Award and Honorary Chair for Pencils for Kids.

Ben and his wife Anthy Price currently reside in Westlake Village, California.

Updated 08.08.23