Integrated Marketing and Communications
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh continues momentum toward establishing an effective integrated marketing and communications strategy to support and promote the educational mission of the institution while enhancing regional partnerships and collaborations.
Several milestones were completed in 2007-2008 as the University adopted an integrated infrastructure to provide campuswide support, including an account liaison for each college, division and unit; workshops and project management tools; and an online integrated marketing and communications campus resource.
The Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC) department developed a communications strategy that provides support to external and internal constituents while raising the profile of the institution, faculty research and student accomplishments through the launch of UW Oshkosh Today (www.uwosh.edu/news), a 24/7 news and information resource; an online faculty-expert database (www.uwosh.edu/imc/media-relations/newsroom/experts); and an online newsroom (www.uwosh.edu/imc/media-relations/newsroom). These tactics, in conjunction with pro-active media relations strategies, significantly enhanced media relations and news placement. The University was profiled and/or included in a number of national and regional media sources.
In addition to supporting brand development campuswide, IMC developed and produced several key institutional print and online publications, including a redesigned University magazine, Engage (print and online), traditional and nontraditional student viewbooks as well as cornerstone capital campaign and UW Oshkosh Foundation collateral. Rollout of the “brand” UW Oshkosh is anticipated for early summer 2009.
Following 18 months of research and best practice review, UW Oshkosh beta-launched a comprehensive institutional Web site to support the educational, academic and administrative mission of the University while enhancing the University’s online presence. The second phase of the project will be completed by fall 2009. The site provides a unified presence and voice as well as customization options for various departments. Further development of new media options is in progress.
Alumni Relations, which merged with Integrated Marketing and Communications in late 2007, continues to increase alumni communications and services.
Following on the success of last year’s event, Homecoming 2008 drew a record-breaking number of alumni and visitors, who participated in and/or attended alumni receptions, awards for outstanding young and distinguished alums and pre-game and post-game activities.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors honored seven long-time members of the board who fulfilled their terms of service and welcomed eight newly elected members this past fall, establishing a new focus for enhancing the association’s role and regional chapters.
Finally, the IMC team continues to receive peer and industry recognition, adding two more awards to the previous 10, including two Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE V) awards for institutional products in 2008.
Click here to read an overview of the Integrated Marketing and Communications.
