THE

NEW
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Anything but "Normal" PR
The Situation
While the number of incoming freshman increases, the School
of Communication is seeing a decline within certain majors.
 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WE ASKED

How do preconceived notions How aware are our publics of

about Communication majors the opportunities provided
influence a parent's opinion in within the School of
the major selection process? Communication?

ISU has reputable Nursing and

What is the best way to
Education programs. How do
reach potential these programs maintain such
Communication majors? a positive reputation?
 ANSWERS WE RECEIVED
"Our website is outdated and uninformative. Our lead news
story is a year and a half old. You have to dig deep to find the
mission statement. We need to see social media."
-School of Communication Professor

"I was not sure what the degree entails or

what jobs I can qualify for."
-School of Communication Student

"Some of the biggest strengths are the Co-curriculars (media,

speech, debate)... Facilities (media, SMACC Lab)... Great
academic advising and faculty who take their time to make
recruiting , and even more importantly, retention, a priority"
-Communication RSO Faculty Advisor
 OUR GOALS
Increase awareness of, interest in, and
enrollment within the School of
Communication.
Provide valuable perspective, experience,
and passion for bettering something we
care about.
Find the best way to reach our publics and
keep them informed and engaged.
Maintain a relationship with current
students in order to create a stronger and
more reputable program.
 IDENTIFYING OUR PUBLICS

Graduating high school seniors Parents of potential students

Transfer students
HOW DISTINGUISH MAJORS; IMPLEMENT ADVERTISING FOCUS

CREATE NEW INFO SHEETS WITH DESCRIPTIONS ON COMMUNICATION

WE STUDIES, JOURNALISM, PR AND MASS MEDIA

CAN PUT MORE TIME INTO SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE WEBSITE

HELP MAKE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

MORE KNOWN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR POTENTIAL STUDENTS
 .. .
IS Follow your
TH Public Relations

RE
TU
IC
P Journalism Mass Media

Communication Studies

COMpass
 LET'S SHIFT THE WAY WE PRESENT OURSELVES
Our Focus
- Reformatting the information given about
each major
- Out with the old major sheets
- Changing the ways we reach our publics 
- Higher social media and website engagement
- Offer more in depth Com - specific tours and
information during admissions tours

These small changes will successfully increase

awareness and engagement for the School of
Communication.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN
OUR TIMELINE
By January 1, 2020 Public Relations

1 Create SoC promotional video

Begin tracking Transfer student
enrollment*
Create SoC newsletter- distribute
quarterly
Journalism Mass Media

By July 29, 2020

2 Update Website and Social Media
Platforms
Create promotional signage
Communication Studies
 PLANS FOR OUR BUDGET

$117.99
CEPR Status: Print
Advertising
$314.65
Social Media Campaign: Print TOTAL: $1088.66
Advertising Leaves SoC with $3,911.34

$656.00
Give Fell Hall Personality:
Promotional Signage
Get In Touch With Us
For inquiries or follow-ups

Anything But Normal PR

Fell Hall, Illinois State University

Luke Kaplan, Gina Malnati, Casey Bridge,

Nate King, Sarah Rinker
lpkapla@ilstu.edu, gmmalnati@ilstu.edu,
kebridg@ilstu.edu, niking@ilstu.edu,
serinke@ilstu.edu