Gaylord College is working with the Oklahoma Rt. 66 Centennial Commission to develop a comprehensive campaign to celebrate Oklahoma's iconic Mother Road as it turns 100 in 2026. As part of the students' historic role in this initiative, they will develop PR and advertising campaigns, create videos and social media campaigns, uncover underrepresented stories and promote this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
Two professors (Sherry Kast and Carla Holmes) from the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication are embarking upon a 7-day Rt. 66 Summer Road Trip from Norman, OK to Santa Monica, CA on July 1. The professors will use this as an opportunity to conduct interviews with community leaders and cultural experts on Rt. 66 in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. This road-trip research will be shared with students to help them strategically develop Rt. 66 Centennial initiatives to promote tourism and economic development in Oklahoma. This project helps bring a love of the Mother Road to a whole new generation!
In addition to Kast and Holmes, Prof. Scott Hodgson, Gaylord Hall Productions, and a three-student production crew will also join us to document this trip and create professional high-quality content for social media and TV newscasts. The content will also be shared with media outlets and across social media platforms for OU and Gaylord Alumni Associations, Gaylord College, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and others.
We are thrilled that Landers Chevrolet, a proud OU supporter, has graciously agreed to provide vehicles for this trip. We look forward to collaborating to help promote this partnership on social media, etc. It's great way to tie in the iconic ad campaign - "See the USA in a Chevrolet."
Texas
New Mexico
Rt 66 Restaurant
Alumni event at 7pm
New Mexico
Native Business Owner Interview
Arizona
Arizona
California
