June 11, 2019
Marketing efforts at full throttle this summer
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
Dear university community,
The full-court press to prepare for the fall recruiting season is in full swing at the Division of Communications and Marketing this summer. Our highest priorities are strategic enrollment projects that will help recover enrollment. We ask for continued understanding and patience as our finite resources are fully deployed on mission-critical tasks.
This spring semester we conducted 13 workshops with colleges and similar units to craft brand platforms informed by the Huron data. We thank the many, many folks who participated in what were very positive sessions. It's rewarding to have this high level of collaboration with our academic units.
The outcomes from these workshops — and we still have a couple to complete — will be provided to a strategic brand consultant, which we are in the final stages of selecting. The need for a refreshed brand was identified by Huron, especially as we target new markets and student segments. We want to make everyone feel part of the K-State Family.
Another outcome from the workshops was the need to further clarify and expand how we use our trademarked images, specifically the Powercat. There were many requests for more flexibility at the unit level. We are working with the licensing team to develop templates that protect our trademarks, yet allow for a more spirited use of our iconic symbols. Look for more on this soon.
In a collaborative project with Global Campus, consultant Barkley/REI is developing a fresh look for the web presence promoting online courses. This project is proceeding on schedule and takes a more strategic, mobile-first approach, which will be adapted for the overall university web presence.
Our current focus is on completing the entire suite of recruiting materials, including the viewbook, hype video and institutional TV spots. This work incorporates findings from the Huron folks and insights from our highly experienced professionals in New Student Services.
I’m pleased to announce that Ashley Martin has been promoted to assistant vice president for the Division of Communications and Marketing. Her service in the past year to support the Strategic Enrollment Management initiative has been outstanding. Her university-level portfolio includes leading the multi-campus Ad Hoc Marketing Group and leveraging assets across the academy. Please join me in congratulating her on a well-deserved appointment.
And I’d be remiss for not mentioning the extraordinary efforts put in by our news team, led by Cindy Hollingsworth, to support the emergency operations center, or EOC, in Manhattan. The EOC was spun up in response to flooding and near historical levels in Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Federal, state and local folks worked around the clock to prepare and inform the public in a true community effort. We hope the waters don’t rise again, but if they do, we’ll be ready to assist.
Lots of great things are happening and we appreciate your support and collaboration.
Thank you,
Jeff Morris
Vice President for Communications and Marketing