Chris DeFelice

Ph.D.

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Chris is a Ph.D. student in Media Production, Management, and Technology at the College of Journalism and Communications. He received his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University. He has experience working in local news and communication agencies, as well as in digital content creation across various forms of media (Web Blogs, YouTube, Podcasts, and Social Media). His research focuses on new media technology, specifically artificial intelligence and streaming services, as well as general topics in social media and audience analytics.

Awards and Honors

1st Place Top Student Paper, AEJMC Advertising Division, 2024.

2nd Place Top Student Paper, AEJMC Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship Division, 2024.

Outstanding Paper Reviewer Award, AEJMC Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship Division, 2024.

2nd Place Top Student Paper, Commission on Graduate Education - AEJMC, 2023.

Graduate Student Showcase Selection, Entertainment Studies Interest Group and Commission on Graduate Education - AEJMC, 2023.

News Audience Research Award, AEJMC, 2023.

News

• A new study highlights policies and strategies for leveraging social networks to promote responsible AI adoption (December 2, 2025)
• Nathan Carpenter and UFCJC Graduate Student Author Chapters for New Public Relations and Strategic Communications Textbook (November 22, 2024)
• UFCJC Faculty, Students and Alumni Honored at AEJMC 2024 Conference (August 6, 2024)
• Amy Jo Coffey and Doctoral Student Receive 2023 AEJMC News Audience Research Paper Award (July 11, 2023)
• All News About Chris DeFelice →

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Liu, F., Nah, S., LaPlaca, L., & DeFelice, C. (2025). Socially Constructed Ethics in AI Acceptance: A Longitudinal Study on AI Ethics as the Mechanism Bridging Social Persuasion and Technology Acceptance. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-18. DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2590580

DeFelice, C. (2025). Reclaiming Premium Brand Equity: Establishing and Testing A Post-Pandemic Framework for Theatrical Film Advertising on Social Media. Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising, 1-26. DOI: 10.1080/10641734.2025.2584782

DeFelice, C. (2025). Been there, streaming that: Media substitution, brand equity, and moviegoer attitudes towards streaming blockbuster films. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 31(5), 1591-1605. DOI: 10.1177/13548565251331476

Shin, J., DeFelice, C., & Kim, S. (2025). Emotion Sells: Rage Bait vs. Information Bait in Clickbait News Headlines on Social Media. Digital Journalism, 13(7), 1271-1290. DOI: 10.1080/21670811.2025.2505566

DeFelice, C. (2024). Always rooting for the anti-hero: A mixed-method social media analysis of Inter-Fandom Discourse in response to the Phase 4 Diversity Initiative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Journal of Social Media in Society, 13(2), 151-174. Retrieved from https://www.thejsms.org/index.php/JSMS/article/view/1475

DeFelice, C., & Porter, L. (2024). Theaters, social media, and streams: Evaluating social word-of-mouth patterns of pandemic-era blockbuster films on Twitter. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 30(5), 1732-1746. DOI: 10.1177/13548565241236441

DeFelice, C., Porter, L., & Kim, S. (2024). Moviegoing in the wake of a pandemic: Re-evaluating the attitudes, intentions, and behaviors of U.S. Moviegoers in the streaming era. Journal of Media Economics, 36(1-2), 29-46. DOI: 10.1080/08997764.2024.2361747

Presentations

DeFelice, C. (2024). Been There, Streaming That: Media Substitution, Brand Equity, and Moviegoer Attitudes Towards Streaming Blockbuster Films. Paper/Poster at AEJMC 2024, Philadelphia , PA.

DeFelice, C. (2024). Blockbuster Brand Equity in the Streaming Era: The Impact of Movie Brand Associations and Theatrical Exclusivity on Post-Pandemic Moviegoing Decisions. Paper/Poster at BEA On-Location, Atlanta, GA.

DeFelice, C. (2024). Reclaiming Premium Brand Equity: Establishing A Post-Pandemic Framework for Theatrical Film Advertising on Social Media. Paper/Poster at AEJMC 2024, Philidelphia, PA.

DeFelice, C. (2024). Silent Observers or Engaged Citizens: News Audience Extroversion, Political Engagement, and Source Trust on Twitter. Paper/Poster at BEA On-Location, Atlanta, GA.

DeFelice, C. (2024). To #ReleaseTheSnyderCut: A Case Study on the Influence of Astroturf Campaigns on High-Risk Management Decisions. Paper/Poster at AEJMC 2024, Philadelphia , PA.

DeFelice, C. (2024). “Not the same kind of clickbait news”: Unveiling the Distinctions Between Information Bait and Rage Bait. Paper/Poster at ICA 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.

DeFelice, C., & Stanley, K. (2023). Always Rooting for the Anti-Hero: A Critical Analysis of Audience Reactions to the Phase 4 Diversity Initiative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Paper/Poster at AEJMC, Washington, DC.

DeFelice, C. (2023). Expanding the Borders of Escapism: A Conceptual Framework for Escapism in Mass Communication and Beyond, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference. Paper/Poster at AEJMC, Washington, DC.

Coffey, A., & DeFelice, C. (2023). News for the Ages: An Examination of Trust Factors by Generational Cohort. Paper/Poster at AEJMC, Washington, DC.

DeFelice, C., Porter, L., & Kim, S. (2023). Theaters, Social Media, and Streams: Film in the Wake of a Pandemic. Paper/Poster at ICA, Toronto, Canada.

Research

Specialization

New Media Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Streaming Services, Social Media