OHIO's December 2025 Newsmakers

Three faculty members were recognized by Ohio University as December 2025 Faculty Newsmakers. Learn more about their media mentions below:

Rebecca Dingus

O' Bleness Professor of Marketing; Undergraduate Assurance of Learning Coordinator; Provost Faculty Fellow for Faculty Onboarding in the College of Business

Dingus was quoted in The Washington Post on the emerging trend of the retail and restaurant greeting “Welcome in.” Dingus explained how “Welcome in” draws unnecessary attention, bringing “heightened awareness to the notion that consumers are entering a commercial space” and taking them out of the escapism of recreational shopping.

News Stories

The Washington Post - "'Welcome In' is this year's inescapable retail greeting"

Jacob Hiler

Fox Associate Professor of Marketing; Director, Center for Consumer Research & Analytics (CRA) in the College of Business

Hiler was quoted in Sharp Magazine on the potential implications if Netflix were to acquire Warner Bros., a deal that has stirred intense debate across the media industry. Hiler warned that such consolidation could diminish competition and innovation in Hollywood, arguing that “competition is a force for good for consumers, for actors, for production crews and more working on films,” with the primary beneficiaries often being the studio heads rather than the broader creative ecosystem. His comments underscored concerns that a merged Netflix–Warner entity might dominate content distribution and limit opportunities for independent filmmakers, potentially reshaping the future of streaming and the film industry.

News Stories

Laeeq Khan

Associate Professor and Director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART) Lab in the Scripps College of Communication

Khan authored an article in Greenbook highlighting findings from new global research on public attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Khan emphasized that, contrary to prevailing industry assumptions, users value substance, reliability and ethical integrity in AI far more than flashy personalities, animated avatars, or exaggerated friendliness—traits long thought to drive acceptance. He explained that competence and trustworthiness are the key drivers of sustained user engagement and loyalty, while superficial emotional displays can undermine confidence and alienate users.