Office of Marketing & Communications (MarCom)
The Office of Marketing and Communications (MarCom) is responsible for executing a wide range of integrated marketing and communications projects and priorities for Alfred University. The office drives visibility and branding efforts, leads the strategic direction for its graphic identity and core messaging, delivers on the Alfred University Brand Promise through core messaging of the University website using videos, photos and written content, manages social media efforts, creates and distributes publications, generates press releases that promote the University to broader audiences, matches on-campus experts with media outlets and handles crisis communications.
Welcome to the Office of Marketing & Communications
We are storytellers. We use a variety of channels to help target audiences understand our story and act upon it to achieve our goals. The Office of Marketing and Communications works hand-in-hand with each member of our community to tell our story to prospective students, alumni, parents and people who are interested in learning more about us. Great storytelling comes in many forms: the written word, photography, video, print design, web features, social media and more. Together, we tell the Alfred University story.
Our focus is on building awareness and increasing support for Alfred University. We achieve this by collaborating with our partners across campus to connect the University with the public as well as targeted audience segments. Our emphasis on shaping and strengthening Alfred University’s identity, increasing institutional visibility in the marketplace and building reputation with internal and external audiences all contribute to the University’s success.
Alfred University has a great story to tell, and it is our job to tell it. The MarCom Office provides the marketing and communications tools and experience that pushes our brand forward. Our expertise includes: media relations; crisis communications; brand development; content strategy; web communications and social media; writing; editing; design; photography and video.
Need to create a communication strategy for a new program? Have an upcoming event to promote? Have a unique story about your faculty or students to share? Looking to refresh the look and feel of existing materials?
Our office develops and delivers strategic marketing initiatives to support and elevate institutional branding and messaging through advertising, media relations, communication, the official website, social media and events across Enrollment Management, University Advancement, Academic Affairs, Student Experience and the President’s Office.
All print and digital communication efforts must be vetted by our office to ensure brand consistency. Our design, writing and editing staff will review each job to ensure all the elements of a communications piece are on brand, factual, up-to-date and include the correct web links.
Are you looking to create an exciting video? Need a photo? Our Multimedia Production Specialist is available to assist. We place top priority on providing images that support and enhance recruitment, retention and external support for the University. Showcasing newsworthy events and University sponsored events remains a priority.
Lower priority is given to other events, which may not be covered unless the images are deemed appropriate for recruitment, marketing or media visibility.
Portrait sessions for use on the official online faculty/staff directory may be scheduled by appointment.
We request you submit an online MarCom Project Request Form providing our office with as much advanced notice as possible for us to better manage your project through the planning, design and production process.
Timeline
We prefer requests 6-8 weeks prior to the desired completion date. The creative team (including writers, designer, photographer, videographer) requires four to six weeks for every project. This timing does not including printing and mailing. Allow 10 business days for printing and mailing.
We help you connect with media locally, regionally and nationally. We tell your story in a way that will maximize exposure and help keep you focused on what you do best...make Alfred University amazing.
If your findings, accomplishments or events have implications relevant to the general public, please contact us. If you aren't sure, we’re happy to discuss how to the reach the right audience for your message. Perhaps trade publications would be more interested than the general media. Perhaps you really want to reach an internal campus audience. We can help you with that, too.
We offer many communication options:
- Press releases
- Custom pitches to specific reporters
- Media advisories
- Press conferences
- Media events
- Op-ed/editorials
- Campus newsletters
- Community forums
Press Releases
Have a lecture, performance or other event to promote to the general public? Have an idea for a feature story you think might be appealing to the news media? Email one of us with the information.
Op-Eds
Interested in writing an opinion piece for local, regional or national media? Check the guidelines, and then contact Mark Whitehouse for more information.
Alfred E-news
Our office prepares Alfred E-news, an electronic newsletter that is sent weekly to AU alumni, parents and friends as well as the campus community. It is also available on-line. To submit an item for E-news, email E-news.
Alfred Today
The Communications Office manages Alfred Today, a daily round-up of announcements for the campus community. Please contact Mark Whitehouse if you have questions or need assistance.
Alfred Magazine
We partner with University Advancement on the concept, design, writing, editing and production of the Alfred Magazine.
Student Activities & Achievements
In order to have activities and achievements publicized, we need to have a permission form on file for the student. If you have not done so, please fill out the Hometown Release Form and return it to Mark Whitehouse, Office of Marketing and Communications, Greene Hall, 2nd Floor.
From video production to print collateral, ad buys to non-traditional advertising, our experienced marketing team can help you spread the word about your program, department, event or initiative.
Tell us what you want to achieve, with whom, and why. We’ll suggest options, offer ideas and talk deadlines. You’ll be getting the best thinking of seasoned professionals with years of experience.
Publications
We assist with creative design, development and printing of University-related materials from postcards and stationary sets to posters and enrollment brochures. All are created with great attention to high quality appearance and content. Supporting the goals and meeting the needs of various offices across campus, our staff provides design and layout services, applying brand standards for graphic and written content. We also assist with print and digital distribution needs.
Visual
Photography and video play a vital role in our brand communications because they visually tell our story. Our style captures the Alfred University culture both inside and outside the classroom. We strive to show authentic interactions with students, faculty and campus life, focusing on people, places, academics and activities.
Digital
We manage Alfred University’s external website, www.alfred.edu. Additionally, we support departments in creating an effective online presence. From websites to emails to social media, we help with analysis, strategy, production, training and maintenance. We assist with website updates, post to our central social media pages and other digital communication efforts. Need help updating content on an AU webpage? Submit your request for assistance.
Social Media
We cultivate the campus conversation and provides exclusive content via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Always on the lookout for emerging social media trends and new communication channels, we connect students and community with the University, both locally and nationally.
Social Media Mashup
For a complete look at the University’s social media presence, visit our social media mashup page.