A critical introduction to meaning and power in an age of participatory culture, social media and digital platforms. Helps students to understand the central role media play in the social world, and how they can become informed media citizens themselves.

Nicholas Carah is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School in the School of Communication and Arts at The University of Queensland.
His research examines the algorithmic and participatory advertising model of digital media platforms, with a focus on the digital alcohol marketing. Together with The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education he has published research on the use of Facebook by alcohol brands in Australia. He has also worked with the social change start up Hello Sunday Morning to design and evaluate their use of social and mobile media technologies to change drinking cultures.
Nic¿s research has been published in New Media and Society, Television and New Media, Convergence, Consumption, Markets and Culture, Mobile Communication and Culture, Health and Journal of Public Affairs. His 2014 article 'Brand value' was awarded best paper in Consumption, Markets and Culture.
He is the author of Brand Machines, Sensory Media and Calculative Culture (2016), Media and Society: production, content and participation (2015), Pop Brands: branding, popular music and young people (2010). He is the co-editor of Digital Intimate Publics and Social Media (2018). 

Introduction
Chapter 1: Meaning, Representation and Power
Chapter 2: Representation
Chapter 3: The Industrial Production of Meaning
Chapter 4: Power and Media Production
Chapter 5: Global Networks
Chapter 6: Platform Media
Chapter 7: Social Media, Streaming and Logistics
Chapter 8: Participatory and Algorithmic Culture
Chapter 9: Making and Managing Audiences
Chapter 10: Producing and Negotiating Identities
Chapter 11: News and Strategic Communication
Chapter 12: Brand Culture
Chapter 13: Media and Communication Professionals
Chapter 14: Managing Participation