About the Episode
About the Episode: In this episode of Breaking Silos, we dive into the collaborative spirit behind TEDxUArizona, an event that epitomizes the power of interdisciplinary partnerships in higher education. Join us as Emily Stulz and Joe Klug recount their journey of bringing TEDxUArizona to life, highlighting the synergy between the Social Media and Experience teams at the University of Arizona. From overcoming challenges to selecting speakers and engaging the community, learn how this event became a beacon of innovation, diversity, and idea-sharing. Discover the impact of TEDxUArizona on the university and beyond, and get inspired to foster similar initiatives that bridge divides and spark deep connections. For more about TEDxUArizona and the recent "Spirit of Wonder" event, visit their official site at https://tedx.arizona.edu.
The Genesis of TEDx at U of A
Joe Klug starts by recounting the TEDx event's rebirth post-COVID, emphasizing the strategic decision to reintegrate TEDx into the university's culture as a centrally funded initiative. The move was spurred by TED's ranking as one of the top ten most relevant brands in the U.S., reflecting a surge in audience interest that the university aimed to harness. This strategic partnership aimed to elevate the university's thought leadership by providing a platform for faculty and researchers to reach a global audience.
Building Capacity and Engaging Diverse Audiences
The role of Diana Leonard as a speaker coach highlights the university's approach to "capacity building," ensuring content is accessible and engaging to diverse audiences. Joe elaborates on the cross-departmental collaboration that supported the TEDx initiative, involving leadership from various sectors within the university to fund a three-year pilot. This interdisciplinary effort exemplifies the university's commitment to fostering innovation through collective input and support.
Marketing and Promotion: Strategies for Success
Emily Stulz discusses the dual-layered marketing strategy employed to promote the TEDx events. The focus was on creating buzz before the event to ensure attendance and engaging the audience with content post-event to maintain momentum. By leveraging the university's robust social media platforms and coordinating with different college communicators, the marketing team maximized exposure and participation.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future
Both Joe and Emily share insights on the challenges faced, such as building an audience from scratch and adapting promotional strategies to align with TEDx's stringent guidelines. They stress the importance of adaptability and continuous learning from each event iteration to better serve their community and enhance the overall experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Revitalizing Legacy Programs: The university successfully reintegrated TEDx into their event lineup, adapting it to current brand and audience needs.
- Interdepartmental Collaboration: Strong cross-campus partnerships were crucial in re-launching TEDx, showcasing a unified approach to event management.
- Strategic Marketing: The use of targeted social media strategies and tailored communications played a pivotal role in promoting the events effectively.
- Continuous Improvement: Feedback and data from each event are used to refine and improve future iterations, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and community engagement.
About the Show: We hear it every day across campuses: “We need to be working more collaboratively.” The higher education industry is notoriously siloed, with colleagues struggling to connect, duplicating services or having disjointed messaging.
Breaking Silos aims to showcase the remarkable work of marketing professionals and their non-marketing colleagues from different departments across campus, who come together to achieve common goals, implement new initiatives, enhance the student experience, and foster better collaboration among teams.
Each episode features a marketer and their non-marketing colleague to talk about their partnership. This unique format will inspire marketers to try new things and connect with colleagues in new ways, while also allowing non-marketing professionals an inside look at some of the most collaborative projects in higher education marketing.
Connect With Our Host:
Shane Baglini
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebaglini/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Breaking Silos is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and The Application with Allison Turcio.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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