Dr. Itzhak Mashiah (Ph.D.)
I focus on the interdisciplinary study of technology, communication, business, and brand management, with an emphasis on organizational practices and their broader impact on society. Currently, I’m writing a new book titled Innovation Branding: From Theory to Practice (forthcoming from Routledge).
My work examines how media and innovation shape public discourse, brand narratives, and strategic communication. I lecture and conduct research on topics such as media and tech storytelling, innovation-driven brand strategy, and integrated marketing communication across industries.
I am proud to be recognized as an award-winning scholar, with my media, social, and academic activities acknowledged over the years. I received the ISEF NYC International Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2024-2026), IEIRC Research Roundtable winning team (2025) awarded by The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Researchers Community and IDC Herzliya Reichman University; Berger Research Award from the Global Strategic Communication Consortium, University of South Carolina (2024). I was awarded the Shalom Rosenfeld Institute for Research of Jewish Media and Communication scholarship by the S. Daniel Abraham Center for International and Regional Studies, Tel-Aviv University (2022). Also, I won the Yedioth Haifa excellence award for academic paper (2021), and the best study and presentation award at the Haifa International Social Science Conference (2020). I won the ISPRA prize for my practical work in the field of communication, tech and finance, which was honored to me and my team by the Israel Public Relations Association (2019). My academic work was honored with the Metaksherim award for best communication research (2018), followed by the Israeli Public Relations Association’s (ISPRA) annual Roaring Lion excellence competition (2017) and Haifa Communication Award (2015).
I am a postdoctoral visiting scholar at New York University (NYU).
Ph.D. from the Department of Communication at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa (2024). My dissertation’s title is Diffusion of the innovation idea in the media: The coverage patterns of the technology industry in the Israeli press and the factors behind them (1950-2020). Before my Ph.D. studies, I have accomplished an MA degree in strategic communication and public relations (University of Haifa, Israel). There I conducted a pioneering and mix-method study titled: Cover Patterns of Technology in the Media: High-Tech Companies in the Israeli Online Journalism and the Strategic Role of Marketing Factors. The study examines the media representation of the Israeli high-tech industry. I have a BA degree in Marketing Communication from the Sapir Academic College, Israel.
On the professional side of things, I started my journey in the communication industry at the age of 16, as a reporter and editor at local newspapers in my hometown Sderot. Later, I worked at the Israeli Second Authority for Television and Radio in Jerusalem. At the same time, I was elected to be the Israeli representative at the global VOICES project. Moving to the other side of the media fence was natural. Over the years as a communication consultant in award-winning firms, I accompanied media activities and campaigns for a variety of organizations. The focus of my professional career is on strategic consulting for technology companies. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with leading tech brands. I am the former chair of the Research Students Forum at ISCA (Israel Communication Association) and a Ph.D. fellow of the Israel Scholarship Education Foundation (ISEF). The former Head of Marketing Communication track at the Department of Communication at Sapir Academic College. Visiting Scholar at the Department of Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), School of Journalism and New Media, University of Mississippi, Oxford, USA (2023–2025).
I am the author of the Communication and High-Tech: Journalism, Public Relations, and Media culture book (2022).
As an academic with an industry background, I strongly advocate for a teaching approach that integrates practical applications into the curriculum. I believe that combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience is crucial for a well-rounded education. By connecting my students and partners to real-world scenarios, I aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry. As an educator, I have founded and overseen several projects and programs. The SPICE internship empowers students to engage with the industry while pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. The Bridge MarComm connects academia and industry through networking and guest lectures. The MC-Lab is a collaborative space for student projects. Additionally, I founded and edited The MarComm Hub, providing a platform for marketing communication students to create and publish professional content.
Itzhak Mashiah, Ph.D 