U Relations | Here to Help

Today I went to the UMCF program, Beginner's Circle: Working
with University Relations, and discovered a pocket of resources for us as
communicators. I am fairly new (one and half years at the U) and have had
veterans tell me that you are not a real U employee until you have been here
for ten. It was nice to hear that for some people that were closer to the
ten-year mark, this was good information all around. So, whether you are new to
the University or have been here for years, there was a little something for
everyone.

The panelists were: Ann Aronson, responsible for marketing
and branding; Laura Johnson, responsible for creative services; Chuck Tombarge,
responsible for the news service; and Jay Weiner, the presidents speechwriter.

Here are some of the resources they provide:

New Service: (www.umn.edu/urelate/public-relations.html)
Will work with you on a press release or connecting you to local reporters. Provide
media training for faculty and staff. Provide council on social media strategy.
Write a column from the president in your department/units newsletter.

There are four staff members, broken into beats that
they cover:

• Julie Christensen covers public affairs, access, engagement, philanthropy and
  diversity.


• Steve Henneberry covers liberal arts, humanities, and video.


• Matt Hodson covers STEM, research, science to industry, business, and
  agriculture.


• Patty Mattern covers administration, athletics, crisis, and efficiency.

Creative Services and Marketing Communications: (www.umn.edu/urelate/marketing.html)
Provides consulting in collaboration with marketing and branding for marketing
strategies, electronic communications, shared media, design, writing, editing,
multimedia, and photography. The U Story on the homepage is also handled
through creative services and ideas can be submitted to urstory@umn.edu.

The overall focus for University Relations this year is
President Kaler's priorities that can be found here: www.umn.edu/president/initiatives-priorities/index.html.

Do you have other resources that would be helpful for
navigating communications at the U?

I am also looking forward to the next program, Expert
Insights: Dave Pyle, Former bureau chief of the MN/WI Associated Press on
December 5.