Peter Kovacs, PhD

Peter Kovacs, PhD, received his doctorate in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin. His research interest is the intersection between the history of audio-visual mass media and marketing communication. Dr. Kovacs' first book, Big Tobacco and American Broadcasting, 1923-1971, is slated for publication by UT Press. At UCSF, he intends to study the contemporary promotional practices of the US tobacco oligopoly home and abroad, focusing on the industry's effort to adapt its time-tested communication strategies to a radically new media environment. Beyond his fellowship, Dr. Kovacs intends to remain in academia to teach students about the economic, cultural and ethical dilemmas of commodity promotion.