As part of the weeklong visit by and dialogue with Annenberg Innovator in Residence Dr. Irving Wladawsky-Berger, Dean Ernest J. Wilson III hosts a half-day conference titled "Social Media: Platform or Provocation for Innovation?"

In two panels, "Social and Technological Innovations in Social Media" (3-4:30 p.m.) and "Implications of Social Media for Business and Practice in Communications and Media" (5-6:30 p.m.), experts from the USC Annenberg School and IBM will examine social media trends and industry responses to these developments.

The rate of innovation in social media has been staggering in recent years. The result is a substantially different media landscape than the one confronted by media organizations even five years ago. The conversation will focus on both the demands of the new media marketplace and the barriers that organizations are likely to face in attempting to meet these demands.

In addition to Wladawsky-Berger, panelists will include Annenberg School faculty members Henry Jenkins, Jonathan Taplin, Dmitri Williams and Marc Cooper and research fellow Nonny de La Peña. They will be joined by IBM's Steve Canepa, general manager for media and entertainment; and Jeff Nichols, IBM expert on Web 2.0.

There will be a reception in between the two panels.

RSVP is required. To RSVP, email ascevent@usc.edu.