Before entering academia, Professor McDowell spent over two decades in commercial television, including management positions in promotion, programming, and creative services. After earning his doctorate in 1998 from the University of Florida, and teaching for several years at Southern Illinois University, he joined the faculty of University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida in 2001.

Concentrating primarily on media brand management issues, Professor McDowell has published research studies in several academic publications including The Journal of Media Economics, The International Journal of Media Management and The Journal of Media Business Studies. In addition, Professor McDowell has contributed individual book chapters to the Handbook of Media Management and Economics and Mass Communication Education.
From an applied industry perspective, he has authored three books, Branding TV: Principles, Practices, Troubleshooting Audience Research and The Television Industry: A Complete Guide.
Recent Teaching duties have included courses in introduction to mass media, media research methods, media management, broadcast and cable sales, and freedom of expression & media ethics.

Outside the classroom, McDowell has served on several standing faculty committees and is on the Executive Board of UMTV, the school–operated cable facility.

Walter McDowell
School of Communication
Frances L. Wolfson Building 2021
5100 Brunson Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Phone: (305) 284-5201
Fax: (305) 284-3648
E-mail: wmcdowell@miami.edu