Turning Corners

It has been an incredibly productive few weeks for the communications and marketing department here at LCC. It seems like every day we are doing new things better, faster, and easier.

Most of us have been involved in launching "Get a Skill, Get a Job"; tv ad, web site, radio spot, tv and radio segments, print ad, outdoor. The marketing campaign looks great and I believe has laid a strong foundation for success for the program. Though there is a lot of work in front of us, it is really outstanding to work in a department where good work can be done in a relative short time frame. Our next big marketing goal is communicating with employers around the State who may hire the people who complete the program.

CRM is starting to gain a foothold, here in marketing and college-wide. The work that Jane Kreha has done with the Early LCC program is exceptional. We'll be replicating this model with many other programs and initiatives, like the West Campus Open House.

We are making great progress, IMO, with social media. We've passed 2000 Facebook fans and I believe we can be the first community college in Michigan with over 3000 fans. We're starting to get some buy-in from the programs regarding social media, which is essential to our long-term success. Also, good things will be happening soon with Flickr.

Both the radio and tv stations are doing all kinds of exciting new things. If you haven't listened to LCC Radio lately, I'll bet you'll like it. You can listen online at www.lcc.edu/radio. The new radio ads are, I think, outstanding. I've taped a few episodes of a new show called "Desert Island Playlist". It's a combination of music and conversation about LCC. We'll be doing a lot more videostreaming and audiostreaming in the near future.

We are developing a marketing culture that plans, and that uses research and information to support the materials we develop. This is absolutely outstanding.

The goal is pretty straightforward - to use all the tools in our marketing tool kit to make LCC the strongest community college "brand" in the country. Every day we're moving a little closer to making that a reality. Turning corners is a lot of fun.