Haworth College of Business

Your Guide to Working with the Office of Alumni Relations and Marketing

The Office of Alumni Relations and Marketing is a resource that is available for all departments and units within the Haworth College of Business in planning for marketing, public relations and event promotion needs. In addition, the office can provide strategies for engaging volunteers and alumni for stewarding relationships. The office is responsible for several projects for the college, including the alumni e-newsletter, the annual college magazine, college website, e-blasts and other digital communication, marketing support for recruitment, alumni recognition, alumni events and engagement Â鶹´«Ã½, and social media. The office also acts as a liaison to other Â鶹´«Ã½ departments (marketing and strategic communication, University advancement, and other units as appropriate).

Haworth College of Business
Â鶹´«Ã½
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5457 USA
Main office: (269) 387-5050
Advising office: (269) 387-5075

Welcome

We look forward to assisting you with your needs and appreciate your early planning to ensure that we can adequately promote multiple events and projects within the college with successful results.

Getting started

  • How do I submit a story idea for one of the college’s story platforms? You may contact any member of the office staff to suggest stories. The ideas will be taken to an editorial meeting to be discussed. Once the best format has been determined (press release, e-newsletter, magazine feature, social media, video, etc.), the lead author of the story (either a staff member or intern) will follow up with you.
  • Are there resources online regarding communication guidelines for the college of business and for WMU? There are guidelines for the college of business and for the University.

Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location
2010 Schneider Hall

Submit news and events

Timelines

  • Events, press and media releases: Information should be submitted three and a half weeks prior to desired release date. Press releases involving a donation or gift require additional time for full review by University advancement, the college of business and marketing and strategic communications offices.
  • Good news/breaking news (Â鶹´«Ã½ competition awards, program rankings, etc.): Please submit immediately and include a photo, so that we can expedite the release.
  • WMU Today: Information should be submitted three weeks prior to the event. Inclusion is based on timeline and editorial staff considerations in marketing and strategic communications.
  • New content for an existing site: New content should be submitted two weeks in advance.
  • A minor change to an existing site (sentence change or word change): Please give us 48 hours to make these edits.
  • Urgent correction (including a cancelled event or erroneous curricular information): 24 hours. Contact Amy Coughenour via email or at (269) 387-5964.
  • New website:
    • Content provided: One month.
    • No content provided–content to be developed: Two months.
  • New site or form: Three weeks before launch.
  • Minor changes to existing site or form: One week before launch.

Integrated marketing plan

A comprehensive plan for an event or marketing initiative, including several of the following items as applicable:

  • Invitation
  • Poster
  • Brochure or program
  • Website
  • Media release
  • E-blast series
  • Radio interview
  • Social media
  • Advertising
  • Web announcements

Two to four months lead time in advance of the event is required, for time to review the plan and then execute it. A point person will be assigned to work with you from the office who will create the integrated campaign with you. Pieces such as design and printing may be outsourced and charges will apply back to the department.

A more limited plan for an event can be created with less lead time. If you are hosting a speaker and wish to have some support (i.e., a press release, social media announcements), we can tailor a plan for you: Typical timeline is one to two months in advance of the event, depending on scope.

We have provided a number of branded templates, needing only your pertinent information before printing. If you require a customized piece, see below. In many cases outside design services and printing services are needed and department charges will apply.

  • Program design for a conference, seminar or similar project: Three months. Program production will be coordinated through the office but outside design and printing services will be used and charges will apply back to the department. Consult the point person on your project for cost estimates.
  • Postcard, invitation: Six to eight weeks (includes design, proofing, printing and mailing).
  • Brochure, text and images need to be developed: Produced through duplicating, four weeks. Produced through print house, six weeks.
  • Poster or flier: Three to four weeks prior to date needed, depending on amount being produced and whether artwork concept is already available.
  • Advertisement: If you are placing an ad as a sponsor for an event, please allow three to four weeks of lead time prior to submission date. We have resources both here in the college and through marketing and strategic communications to assist in advertising. With ample lead time, a targeted ad can be placed and rates negotiated. College ads need to be reviewed via marketing and strategic communications for approval. Lead time is needed for negotiated rates and original design.
  • Video projects: Features can be coordinated via WMUx or other vendors but require lead time for scripting and scheduling. Please consult us with as much advance notice as possible.
  • Photography: Schedule two weeks prior to event, coverage provided based on availability and applicability for University marketing. The office also keeps a list of professional photographers that you may contact.
  • Requesting photo files from Haworth College of Business or University photographer: One to two weeks depending on the number of photos and scope of project.
  • Art available: Three weeks.
  • Art needs to be developed: Four to five weeks.
  • E-blast series: Initial artwork requires four weeks; firm blast release dates can only be scheduled when artwork or design is available. (University policies for alumni communications have changed; please consult the office about any alumni communication needs.)
  • Many times, items of interest for outside audiences can be incorporated into our e-newsletter.
  • Series of social media posts: Two to three weeks.

Additional resources

Calendar posting and digital signs

Please submit your department's events to the college calendar for all to see. Departments and offices across campus, as well as registered Â鶹´«Ã½ organizations (RSOs), are also welcome to advertise their news and events on the digital displays throughout Schneider Hall.

Willing to be a contact for the media on business topics?

Let us know, and we will make sure you are on our list for when media calls come in. Media calls often require a quick turn around but are greatly beneficial in establishing the college as a go-to resource for business expertise. Several faculty and staff are already experts on call, and we can connect you with them if you wish to learn more.

Strategizing and consulting

Looking to add more dimension to your events or thinking about developing a new program or service that needs to be communicated to Â鶹´«Ã½s or external audiences? We look forward to strategizing with you on the best ways to craft your message and reach your audience. 

Vendors

Interested in using an outside vendor for ordering merchandise, plaques, printing, design services or photography? We have a number of vendors we recommend, or you can view the list of vendors who are approved to create products using WMU logos for your promotional use.

Still have questions?

The alumni relations and marketing team has answers. Stop in 2010 Schneider Hall and speak to a staff member, or contact Stacey Anderson, director of marketing and communications below.
Email Stacey Anderson