IMMAA 2025 Conference Call for Papers

The American University in Cairo

October 17-19, 2025 in Egypt

Photo by Spencer Davis via Unsplash.com

Managing Innovation and Creativity for Sustainability in Media Companies

In today’s high velocity digital media markets and accelerating AI revolution, competence in management and leadership are critical success factors. Strategic managers are challenged with demands to rethink orientations, practices, and structures, to redesign business models, and to boost productivity by harnessing AI technologies, all of which requires creativity with a focus on developing successful innovation for sustainability.

The 2025 annual conference of the International Media Management Academic Association (IMMAA) invites scholars and industry leaders to collaborate in a professional discourse focused on clarifying what successful media managers and companies are doing, and can do better, to navigate the changing media ecology. Participants will learn about groundbreaking research and develop insights at the intersection of management theory and media industry practice.

Areas of Interest include but are not limited to:

1. Analysis of Industry and Sustainable Market Trends
2. Sustainable Approaches and Methods for Managing Creative Work and Workers.
3. Advances and Transformations in Digital Media Technology
4. Continuity and Change in Media Consumption
5. Media Policy and Regulation Affecting Media Systems
6. Advances in Advertising, Marketing, Pricing,and Branding
7. Opportunities and Complications in Cross-Cultural Management
8. Curriculum and Pedagogy in Media Management and Economics Education
9. Ethical frameworks and social responsibility related to AI.
10. Financial aspects of media development
11. Innovation in management theory and practice in the digital media environment.
12. Managing creativity and content creation as a core strategic resource.
13. The impact of internationalization on local media markets
14. Case studies of successful innovation in media companies today.

Welcome to Cairo!

Cairo is a captivating city that blends a rich and unique heritage with vibrant modernity as one of the most influential cities in the MENA region, making it an ideal location for the 2025 IMMAA conference. The city boasts wonders of the world, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, cruising on the Nile River, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Cairo has a dynamic cultural life with contemporary art galleries, bustling markets, and a diverse and delicious culinary scene. The American University of Cairo is an influential center of research and education in the region energetically preparing to host this conference that will provide ample opportunities for engagement, collaboration and intellectual exchange. Join your colleagues from around the world as we together explore the heritage and wonder of Cairo while engaging in an enriching intellectual experience.

Mark Your Calendar

• June 15, 2025:  Deadline for abstract/panel proposal submissions
• July 7, 2025:  Notification of acceptance
• July 7 – September 15, 2025: Early Registration
• September 16- October, 7, 2025: Late Registration
• October 17-19: the 2025 IMMAA Conference in Cairo
  • 17 October: Pre-conference activities including a welcome reception
  • 18-19 October: #IMMAA_Egypt Annual Conference

Registration Fees:

Registration link and accommodation venues will be announced in due time.

Submission

Guidelines for paper proposals

Submit paper proposals as extenced abstracts for the 2025 IMMAA conference (750-1000 words maximum excluding references). The abstract should clarify the following evaluation criteria:

• The paper’s focus and its importance to the field of media management and economics.
• If reporting an empirical study, explain the research purpose, context, questions, methods, and the relevance to media management scholarship.
• If a theoretical study, explain the rationale, links to key literature, outline of the argument, and important implications.
• An overview of key tentative results, or if not yet completed anticipated outcomes.
• Tentative contributions to theory and implications for practice.
• The names of all authors
• Affiliation of each
• Email address for each
• Short bio for each (100 words maximum)

Selection is based on the results of a double-blind peer review process. All submissions should be sent to: immaaegypt2025@aucegypt.edu

Guidelines for panel proposals

Panel proposals require a 300-word explanation of the title and purpose of the panel, the list of panelists and their affiliations with abstracts of 300 words on what each will present, and a 100-word bio for each panelist as well as the panel organizer/chair. Also include email addresses for all panelists and the moderator and/or respondent.  Selection is based on the results of a double-blind peer review process. All submissions should be sent to: immaaegypt2025@aucegypt.edu

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

Located in Cairo at the heart of the Middle East and North Africa, AUC is a leading American-accredited institution of higher education and a center of intellectual, social and cultural life in the MENA region. Established in 1919, over the more than 100 years of its history to date AUC has balanced a strong commitment to liberal arts education with a focus on the region’s needs in practical applications and professional specializations. The AUC campus boasts modern, technologically advanced facilities that enhance the learning experience of students and support faculty research and teaching.

Hosted under AUC’s School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), the Journalism and Mass Communication Department (JRMC) is the largest department in GAPP, boasting two undergraduate degrees and a master’s program that have been recognized for excellence nationally, regionally and internationally.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 19th IMMAA conference in Cairo at AUC from Oct. 17-19. Please visit the IMMAA website, www.immaa.org, or the conference website https://immaaegypt.com for more details and routine updates about the conference program, travel information, and accommodation options.

Questions or other inquiries should be emailed to the onsite organizers at: immaaegypt2025@aucegypt.edu

If you want to know more about AUC, please visit https://www.aucegypt.edu/

Guidelines for abstract submissions

Abstract submissions for the 2025 IMMAA conference are invited as paper proposals. Please submit extended abstracts (750-1000 words maximum excluding references).

The abstract should clarify the following evaluation criteria:

• The paper focus and its importance to the field.  If reporting an empirical study, explain the research purpose, context, questions, and the relevance to media management scholarship. If a theoretical study, explain the rationale, links to key literature, outline of the argument, and the implications.
• If empirical, provide an overview of the methods employed, analytical steps, and reflections on data.
• An overview of key tentative results, or if not yet completed anticipated outcomes.
• Tentative contributions to theory and practice.  

All abstract submissions will be chosen based on the results of a double-blind peer review process. All submissions should be sent to: immaaegypt2025@aucegypt.edu

Guidelines for panel proposals

Submissions of panel proposals should include a 300-word explanation of the title and purpose of the panel, the panelists and their affiliations, with abstracts of 300 words on the focus of each presentation and a 100-word short bio of each panelist and the panel organizer/chair.

Panel submissions will also be subject to a double peer-review process. All submissions should be sent to: immaaegypt2025@aucegypt.edu

PLEASE NOTE:

For both paper and panel proposals, please include the following data for the submission:

• Your name and the names of any other authors / contributors
• Affiliation/s,
• Email addresses
  
• Short bio for each author or panelist (100 words max)

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