Are you a USI Brand Ambassador?

University Communications communicates the goals, priorities, news and public information about the University to a wide variety of audiences. We do this by providing a consistent message through media relations, public relations, internal communication, photography and multimedia, and online communication, including social media. We assist with branding and marketing efforts, and work with deans and department chairs across the colleges to review strategy and raise the profile and awareness of the University and its brand both internally and externally.

However, when it comes to brand, message and University spirit, we're all part of the equation. Here are a few reminders of ways you can help:

• Become familiar with and be a champion of the USI brand and editorial guidelines. A great place to start is updating your email signature line in Outlook.
• Update the USI Calendar with events including descriptions. If you don't have access to the calendar, contact the calendar administrator for your area. Did you know that when you reserve a space for your event on campus, it automatically becomes part of the USI Calendar? However, this entry only includes the name, date and location. It's up to you to add the details for your event.
• Review and follow the University's Media Policy. The media policy is in place to help provide a consistent message from the University. If you receive a call from media, are invited to a TV segment, or have a story you'd like to pitch, first contact USIMedia@usi.edu or call Ben Luttrull, media relations specialist, at 812-461-5259. We can help with everything from coordinating interviews to providing resources and interview tips. This also helps us track media coverage and gives us the opportunity to share stories and news clips when we know they're coming.
• Share stories of knowledge, success, pride and community that can be used to showcase the University and its programs in a positive light. Often, we may not know the exciting things happening in your area. The more we hear from you, the better job we can do of telling our own campus community, and the world, about the great things happening here at USI. Following are a few ways you can help shape those stories.

Internal Communications

Employees are an integral part of the University. Internal communications engages us, educates us on the goals and mission of the University, makes us aware of resources, disseminates news, promotes events and fosters personal connections through shared stories.

Angie O'Nan, administrative associate, handles internal communications efforts. She writes and edits USI Today and the What's happening at USI email. We are conducting surveys and focus groups this fall in an effort to make internal communications even stronger going forward. You can help by:

• Participating in surveys and attending focus groups if invited.
• Submitting news, accomplishments and story ideas using our online submission forms.
• Adding and updating information on the USI Calendar. Did you know we share events to community calendars as well?
• Sending the names of new hires and promotions so they can be introduced and congratulated.
• Nominating a colleague for a "Getting to Know You" story or an employee spotlight.
• Submitting photos for possible inclusion in Campus Snapshots.
• Sharing tips you've found useful, for example, how to increase productivity, ways to reduce stress on the job, time management techniques or how to be a better supervisor.

External Media Relations and Social Media

Ben Luttrull, media relations specialist, serves as a liaison between the University community and news media. He writes and distributes news releases, pitches stories to media outlets and connects reporters to on-campus experts. He also serves as the official voice of the University's primary social media accounts. You can help by:

• If possible, providing a 30-day advance notice before an event is planned. This allows time to write a press release, send to media and follow-up with direct pitches.
• When submitting story or media pitch ideas, include the 5 W's (who, what when, where and why).
• Asking guest speakers in advance if they are open to speaking to media, and if they have any restrictions related to recording or other coverage of the event.
• Contacting Ben or other members of University Communications if media contact you directly, or if you have something to relay to media. Follow the guidelines outlined in the Media Policy.
• Being willing to speak with media or knowing who in your department is comfortable with speaking to media.
• Joining the Social Media Administrators Group on Facebook if you manage social media accounts for a campus department or group.

Publications

Connie Stambush, editor/senior writer, produces two annual issues of illume, our alumni magazine, and oversees and collaborates with key players in the four colleges on their college newsletters, which feature news, updates and other information. You can help by:

• Sending story ideas as they occur to you. Include the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and why). Submit stories online or at magazine@usi.edu. Magazine and newsletter planning layout is a long process. Once the writing and editing is complete, there's another six to eight weeks of production time. Last minute items cannot be included. Features are often planned four to five months in advance.
• Sending names of faculty, students and accomplishments to spotlight in the magazine and newsletters, and tell us why they should be featured.
• Providing feedback on each issue of the magazine and the college newsletters. Send feedback to magazine@usi.edu.

Thanks for being a USI Brand Ambassador and sharing your #ScreaglePride. We plan to provide additional tips on how to best work with Creative and Prints Services and our Photography and Multimedia departments in a follow-up story.