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Email Excerpt re: Higher Ed Marketing

February 22nd, 2010

Recently, a former colleague from my agency days contacted me and asked my opinion about working in higher education marketing. I have been in this industry for almost ten years. My response included the following:

“Higher education advancement/marketing is more a calling than a career. Trust me, I know how that sounds, but I believe it. You have to first understand the organization’s mission/history and then agree with it in order to be successful and happy. Before I joined (my current employer), I read everything I could about their history. It tells a lot about what they hope to become and how they wish to be perceived.”

“Ultimately, you are an advocate for what they promise to people—most importantly those wishing to improve their lives or the lives of others. But, it does come with some challenges. Taking the high road at all costs is how I operate. It was the advice I was given when I first started in higher education marketing. This sometimes means going slower than you want or learning to be patient when it seems like you are losing momentum.”

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Signs of Life

February 8th, 2010

It is obvious (especially if you visit the archives) that my personal site has not really been updated in about a year. I’m actually proud of that. Obviously, there have been significant professional (and wonderful personal) changes in my life.

2009 was amazing, challenging, nostalgic, spiritual, and so on. Professionally, I am so pleased with my decision to join the Public Affairs office at Washington University in St. Louis. Almost every day, I think of how much I am learning and growing in my career. There are such strong role-models and mentors in our division, and I am grateful to gather experiences working with them. I cannot thank the people with whom I work enough for their dedication and commitment to making our new office, Digital Communications Marketing (DCM), world-class. And finally, it is a delight to explore St. Louis and marvel at the hospitality of its community. Am I gushing? You bet.

The New WUSTL Web Team

Quote from our strategic plan: “The Office of Digital Communications Marketing (DCM) within the Office of Public Affairs oversees Washington University’s top-level web presence and guides strategy for all digital-based communications across the institution, representing the University to the outside world via the Internet, specifically on the World Wide Web, via e-mail and through emerging social media and technologies. It also facilitates internal digital communication by consulting on and/or assisting with administrative sites and those representing the University’s various schools, departments, offices, divisions and units.”

Recent Work

I started officially in Janaury 2009 as the new executive director of Digital Communications Marketing. I immediately began to learn more about our team’s skills, challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities. I met with colleagues from across the campuses, leaders of colleges and schools and administrators. For me, it was a tremendous privilege to meet and learn from the people guiding Washington University. At the same time, I learned first-hand the many strengths and experiences of my cohorts in Public Affairs—such talent and professional experience from which to begin. As of May 2009, we began to put our skills together and created our first projects.

Small Sample of DCM Projects

More to come

We’re really heating up and starting many new, custom projects. I will post them as they develop. Expect more in 2010. And, I promise to post more often. One post in 2009? guess that says it all regarding how focused I have been.

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About St. Louis (Quote)

October 6th, 2009

“Ours is the typical American city…that belongs neither to the East, West, North, or South, but which exemplifies American life as a whole. Here are to be found the culture and refinement of the East, the courage and vigor of the North, the frankness and freedom of the West, and the courtesy and chivalry of the South. We have sunshine enough for sentiment and snow enough for courage, and we have the substantial foundations of industrial and agricultural wealth to justify our claim to leadership in material as well as in spiritual achievements.”

Herbert S. Hadley, Seventh Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, during address at the laying of the cornerstone for Newton R. Wilson Memorial Hall, May 19, 1924.

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New: T-Mobile G1 with Google

September 23rd, 2008

I watched the press conference this morning for the T-Mobile G1 with Google. In a word, “interesting.” Clearly, this is a competitor to the iPhone, which is now in version two of its evolution. The G1, running on Android, has many attractive features and makes some not-so-subtle challenges to Apple. During this conference, there were a few unmistakable clues as to how hard this new device is going to work to earn a share.

First, T-Mobile stated that the marketing campaign for the G1 would be its largest ever for a mobile device. That’s impressive. Also, they have partnered with Google.

Second, the founders of Google made a “surprise” visit to the press conference. They are geek super-celebrities. And, the fact they showed up to the events says a lot about their commitment to establishing Google as a major mobile device player. Imagine the power of Google at your fingertips, and how much faster search can work for you in this device compared to others. They argued that search on a mobile device is still slower than on a laptop. They aim to change that.

Third, this is an obvious statement to Apple and other Smartphone/PDA makers. Google and T-Mobile essentially are in the game, and will leverage the power of Google’s infrastructure to make it stick. The “compass” mode in the Google Maps Streetview is like something from the imaginary.

Finally, features. The G1 looks to offer a few new approaches to well established issues with other mobile devices:

  • Full qwerty keypad, flip style for those who need the tactile sensation
  • All the Google apps you could imagine (Gmail, Maps, Calendar, GTalk)
  • Open source applications and store
  • Amazon Music with DRM-free downloads
  • Less than $200

As an iPhone user, I’m extremely curious about the T-Mobile G1 with Google. I am seriously considering purchasing one to run side-by-side with my iPhone. Regardless, I am even more interested to see what Apple does as a response. Then Google, then Apple. And so on…

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Buzz: Google’s New Browser, Chrome

September 2nd, 2008

So, just like most other web geeks, I heard the buzz over the weekend about Google’s new web browser, Chrome. I saw the Twitters, then I got excited. I checked the blogs, searched Google for more information, and I even read the comic book they created for the press. I was (still am) excited about the announcement. My mind is racing wondering how Google will promote and market this huge news. On one of the blogs, I found a link to a press conference.

I am currently watching the press conference live video. (Sept 2. 2:00 PM EST)

So far, I am going to (try to) withhold judgement on this event marketing until it’s all done. But, to this point, I think the awesome techs at Google need to learn from their neighbors in Cupertino. The press conference video feed is poor (at best), and it has no production value, glitz, or glam. Great content, but it’s a boring techie presentation. What a missed opportunity. Did something happen and Google had to put this together over the weekend? Is this the best they can do?

Also, there is no Mac version off the start. This is a major no-no in my opinion, and they had to defend the issue during the press conference right away. You can’t say things like, this is a brand new experience with a fresh look and NOT include a Mac version. I’m sure there is a logical and reasonable explanation, but the appearance is poor.

I’m still holding my breath that the actual browser will be better than the explanation and (viral) marketing of it. That is, once the Mac version is released. Gimme.

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