more popular than eastenders: a university graduation week

What was more popular than EastEnders? The University of Warwick’s graduation week on social media. It is a landmark week in the life of a student. It's a landmark week for a University too. Their acclaimed social media officer lifts the lid on how they did it.

by Dave Musson from University of Warwick

Working at a University, there are plenty of great things going on all year round, but arguably the best time to be on campus is during graduation week. There’s an almost magical buzz in the atmosphere, with happy graduates, proud parents and flying mortarboards in every direction you look.

But what about transposing that buzz from real life to online? Here’s how we did at the University of Warwick, armed with little more than a hashtag, some mobile phones and plenty of enthusiasm.

Click to read more ...

what’s the hype over hyperlocal?

If you’re in comms, PR, or marketing, you shouldn’t be asking that question...

By Rachel Moss

The media landscape is changing. It’s something I blogged about last year in a post called ‘Regional News is Dead’.  And, as a former TV news broadcaster, turned PR pro, I find it absolutely fascinating.

Well established local newspapers, radio stations and TV newsrooms, are being axed or cut right back to the bone.

Meanwhile, 100’s of nubile little hyper-locals are springing up all over the place, eagerly plugging the gaps to give local communities the info they so desperately need and want.

It’s a riptide of cross currents that, as comms professionals, we really need to dive into.

Click to read more ...

5 challenges for students' union comms

Were you a student? You may remember a blizzard of flyers and posters from ther Students' Union. But in a changing landscape where 95 per cent have smartphones one comms person tells of the challenges she faces. 

by Jo Walters

Students’ unions which are also known as guilds or associations are democratic student-led organisations based in every UK university and many further education colleges.

Students are automatically members of their students’ union - unless they chose to opt out - and unions provide a mixtures of services and opportunities for their members.

Click to read more ...

what’s in a MOOC?

In this exciting new development, Cardiff University tell us how they are building their brand and engaging with their audiences by sharing expertise online.

By Sara Moseley

Taking the education world by storm, there are over 5million people worldwide studying a Massive Open Online Course right now. Developed as a way of opening access, free of charge, to expertise from leading universities, MOOCs are also becoming key tools for engagement and reputation building. Still in the growth stage, this kind of on-line course is the subject of experimentation and evaluation - not least in terms of communications and relationship building benefit.

Click to read more ...