STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4

CRAFT AND DEPLOY TIMELY AND RELEVANT NEWS AND INFORMATION TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES.

MEDIA RELATIONS

Our communications team works closely with our in-house videography and photography teams to provide quick-turnaround media pitches and releases to our target media markets.

  • Story push-out vs pick-up ratio-98%
  • Page views to news.ua.edu-894K
  • Media clips-35.9k
  • Average open rate-46%
  • Average click rate-33%

Sunset drone view of campus.
The revamped news center launched in June 2023.

UA NEWS CENTER

The UA News Center website tells the story of the University, our faculty, staff and students; but it also invites guests in to learn more. Creating this sense of welcome and connection is where the development of the new UA News Center began. Our redesign strategy included updating the news center with a bold design and digital strategy while raising the profile of UA by dynamically sharing stories of how UA is fulfilling its mission of teaching, research and service. In this pursuit, the UA News Center supports the goals of the UA Strategic Plan, helps advance UA’s mission and furthers the division’s strategic priorities.

Open Rate: Students-37%, Faculty and Staff-42%

INSIDE UA

Inside UA is our internal newsletter for faculty, staff and students. Each week, our communications team works to curate content for each edition to include the most important news and events happening on campus. Inside UA also serves as a timely medium to share news stories from the UA News Center as well as public safety and severe weather messages.

CCN Summit logo

CAMPUS COMMUNICATORS NETWORK SUMMIT

Over 100 campus communicators attended the first ever CCN Summit to network, share ideas and sharpen their skills. Seventy-two percent of attendees surveyed said the presentations were extremely valuable. One attendee wrote, “I’m so appreciative for the free professional development for my team."

UA Visitors Guide

CAMPUS VISITORS GUIDE

  • Number of visitors guides distributed-28,000
  • Page views for visitorsguide.ua.edu-4,000
  • Average viewing time-5 minutes
Big Al posing for a social media photo.

SOCIAL MEDIA METRICS

Followers: 1.4 million. Impressions: 120.8 million. Video Views: 15.5 million. Engagements: 9 million.

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

In December 2023, UA hosted its first presidential debate, held in the Moody Music Building. Our communications team provided campus logistics and media support to internal and external audiences including several national media
outlets. In addition, we worked with our campus subject matter experts to position them for media coverage. Public safety was also an integral part of hosting the debate, providing opportunities for our team to work closely with UAPD, UA Emergency Management and other campus support departments. The news center served as the hub for all media relations efforts and information.

  • Mentions-9K
  • Potential Reach-20.8 B
  • Over 200 clips and articles featuring interviews and analyses with our subject matter experts aired throughout the country.
5 billboards implemented with a 1.6 million estimated reach. 130 thousand Google ad impressions. 6.5 thousand interactions. 72 form submissions during campaign.

UAPD HIRING CAMPAIGN

DSC assisted The University of Alabama Police Department with an employee recruitment campaign, consisting of Google advertisements, digital billboards, social media assets, stories on the UA News Center and earned media. During the campaign, UAPD received 200 applications for the police officer position.

UAPD officer speaking with students.

PROMOTING CAMPUS SAFETY

  • Approximately 10k messages per month shared on UA Info Radio
  • Feature articles shared on UA News Center each month
  • Severe weather messages shared on the UA News Center and the UA homepage as needed
  • Integrated communication plan for public safety awareness and enhancements

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