Promotional Plan
2013
436 Moore Hall • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 (989) 774-3493 • advertising@cm-life.com
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
As we entered 2013, we felt Central Michigan Life was in need of a major brand overhaul. Our mission was to rebuild the CM Life brand with our readers in all forms - print, online, social media. Our goal was to get and keep students reading our product, we didn’t care which delivery method they used, as long as they were reading CM Life. We wanted our brand to be identified as progressive and cutting edge. And we wanted people to think of CM Life as a median company, not an old-school newspaper business. We wanted to also project that we were still the dominant opinion leader on campus. We wanted our activities and events to project that philosophy. We threw out a lot of the old stuff we were doing, and added new events. We updated the look of our product, hired students that had never been in the media business to serve as advisers to what was happening on campus and what students were looking for. We wanted to attack the year with promotions that would build our brand and have people seeing us or talking about us everywhere and to create TOMA for our product. While many papers may focus on just one or two prime events, we believe it takes a daily and aggressive marketing plan to create effective top of mind. Our overall goal is to promote pick-up of our print product, Central Michigan Life, build traffic to our online product, www.cm-life.com, engage our readers on our social media sites and promote downloads of our App. To accomplish this, in 2013 we aggressively turned to social media to build our Twitter and Facebook audiences and then created activities and events that would put us face to face with our core readers. We increased the size of our PR team and created a better organized structure to handle the load. We created three new events: Campus Golf, Halloweird and Motivated Mitten. We created cross promotion opportunities with two major accounts; updated the Housing Fair event; expanded the Best of Central Michigan Bribe event and updated the product to a magazine. We also encouraged more social media engagement with the product. Improved the Campus Cash product visually and created a new reader contest. The results of all our efforts? We continue to maintain our presence on campus with our print product. Our visibility has increased and pick up rates have held strong. Advertisers are seeing return on their investment, and those that pulled out last year are slowly coming back as they see the changes we’ve made. Our brand continues to expand on social media. Our Facebook fan base grew from 8,900 followers to more than 11,200 during 2013. (+25%) #2 in the rankings of college newspapers with a Facebook presence. CM LIFE’s Twitter followers have increased from 6,300 to just over 9,700 during this past year. (+53%) And our App continues to show great promise, growing from 1,200 at the end of 2012 to more than 4,400 (366%) at the end of 2013.
Summary CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
JANUARY
1
CMU BASKETBALL ROWDIES WHO CARES! PROMOTION:
A long standing tradition with our CMU men’s basketball team is the CM LIFE “Who Cares!” paper. This gives CM LIFE visibility at every home game. Fans provide a warm welcome to the opposing team, while reading ad messages from supporting businesses on the other side. The advertisers also provide the prizes given to the “rowdiest” fans. CM LIFE PR members attend each game and photograph several Rowdies. The fans know why our staff is there, and are reminded at the game to check the next CM LIFE to see if they are the “Rowdiest” fan. The winners are featured in ads after each home game. Reminder posts to Facebook and Twitter encourage followers to pick up a CM LIFE. After the winner of each game picks up their prize, we post their picture to CM LIFE ‘s facebook page, in the special “Rowdies” album. CM LIFE fans can tag and share their photos, too, increasing CM LIFE’s awareness.
JAN. - DEC. DAILY EFFORTS:
FACEBOOK & TWITTER PR Manager promotes interesting articles, photos and advertisements to CM LIFE Facebook page and Twitter feed. These posts will alternate between links to website, or teaser to pick up the paper. Staff members use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote CM LIFE. This creates an opportunity to show the diversity of information in CM LIFE on any given day.
2
3
1. CMU basketball fans LOVE to express themselves with CM LIFE’s “WHO CARES!” pages. 2. CMU Rowdies Facebook gallery. 3. GET ROWDIE ads run before and after each home game.
Calendar CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
FEBRUARY VALENTINE’S DAY PERSONALS AND DINNER/MOVIE GIVEAWAY:
1
1. Valentine’s Day personals ad, flyer and poster. Event table. 2. Polar Plunge Crew before, during and after.
Ah, love on a college campus. What could be better? CM LIFE partnered with two local businesses to provide a romantic evening for two in observance of Valentine’s Day. Promotional ads began in the paper one month prior to publishing. We also promoted via our Facebook and Twitter accounts as well. CM LIFE PR staff created an event page on Facebook to reach out to non CM-LIFE readers/ fans. Invites are sent out via each member’s (Public Relations and Advertising staffs) personal Facebook account. Increasing awareness of event and CM LIFE. For loved ones away from campus, a rectangle ad ran on cm-life.com. This ad linked to a PDF form that parents, alumni and significant others were able to fill out and send in. Also about four weeks prior, CM LIFE PR staff puts up Bus Shelter posters, rack posters and flyers around campus promoting event. A QR code was used this year to encourage readers to submit their valentine message via mobile devices. The PR team also chalks classroom boards. In addition, PR teams set up tables at high-traffic locations and events signing lovers up for the special day. That gave us the extra push we needed to generate double the liners from previous years, and drive readers to the paper that day.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MICHIGAN POLAR PLUNGE:
CM Life is a local, media sponsor for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Since CMU is home to the state headquarters, and 70% of the plungers are CMU students - it was a natural fit for us. In exchange for the sponsorship CM LIFE gets to field a team of 8 plungers. This is a feel good PR effort, with loads of visibility for us, all for a great cause. We donate 1/4 page ads and a rectangle ad on our website. We also put up posters around campus and on available bus shelters. For fun we also ran a contest on our website for readers to vote for their favorite plunge and their favorite costumes. Winners received Buffalo Wild Wings certificates.
2
JAN. - DEC. DAILY EFFORTS:
FACEBOOK & TWITTER PR Manager promotes interesting articles, photos and advertisements to CM LIFE Facebook page and Twitter feed. These posts will alternate between links to website, or teaser to pick up the paper. Staff members use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote CM LIFE. This creates an opportunity to show the diversity of information in CM LIFE on any given day.
Calendar CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Central Michigan Life has a longstanding commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. © Central Michigan Life 2013 Volume 94, Number 64
Districts across the state, including Wayne State University, are racing to get their contracts in place before the new law takes effect, The Detroit News reported earlier this week. WSU’s faculty union, which represents nearly 2,000 faculty members and staff, has been bargaining since last
CMU is preparing to begin bargaining with unions for public broadcasting employees, office professionals and the supervisory/technical association, Smart said. All three union contracts expire June 30.
MARCH
lyn Bonkowski, 19, who is accused of poisoning her roommate’s iced tea with bleach. Ross said the recent crimes have concerned him as a Mount Pleasant resident. “I live in this community,” Ross said. “My wife is active in this community with her volunteer activities. We think we’ve taken additional actions to improve the safety on our campus. We will continue to review that and monitor that.”
This promotion encouraged readers to take CM LIFE withIn them Spring Break, snap addition to on the five the fourth stabbing since a picture robberies and the abduction, September. Most notably, area hasin seenthat a jump in with CMtheLIFE destination, then post 20-year-old Mountand Pleasant notable crimes and other inresident Tyrone D. Stanley during this academic died from a stab wound Nov. it to ourcidents Facebook wall. This entered the reader year. 24 in an apartment on Main On Feb. 6, Street. Wild Wings gift cerin a contest toan armed winrobBuffalo bery was reported on the Additionally, 55-yearcorner of Main and is Maylike gold old John Douglas Whitecampus, is tificates. B-dubs on our so streets, just north of camalleged to have murdered pus. Rebekah Jane Gay, 24, in her with the everyone was enthusiastic. Top 3 faces On Feb. 1, a 20-year-old Broomfield Township home. man was stabbed after he That’s on top of an university@cm-life.com most likes certificates. Buffalo Wild Wings enteredwon an apartment withincident involving former out permission, marking CMU student Kayla Ashdonated prizes in exchange for color on their ads. Win-win for everyone. Our 2013 contest had 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 tall. ROBBERIES | previous years andinches more entries then the more The suspect had a handgun and took an unknown than votes . from a feCONTINUED FROM 1 1000 total facebook “like”amount of money The Subway restaurant robbery occurred around 10:56 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Mission and Mosher streets.
As previously reported by CM Life, the suspect in the robbery was described as a Hispanic male wearing a blue hoodie ranging from
1705 S. Mission Street Mt. Pleasant 989.772.9200 5pm - 9pm, Food Only Expires 3/8/13
Ladies Night
1705 S. Mission Street | Mt. Pleasant | 989.772.9200
university@cm-life.com
ROSSTAKE | US ON SPRING BREAK: CONTINUED FROM 1
Friday
Last year, Jeff & Kim to ok us to Mexico!
1
2
MEXICO LIFE 2013 Central Michigan
Los B arriles MEXICO
male employee working the Subway restaurant alone.
JAN. - DEC. DAILY EFFORTS:
metro@cm-life.com
FACEBOOK & TWITTER PR Manager promotes interesting articles, photos and advertisements to CM LIFE Facebook page and Twitter feed. These posts will alternate between links to website, or teaser to pick up the paper. Staff members use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote CM LIFE. This creates an opportunity to show the diversity of information in CM LIFE on any given day.
new spaper Thro w a CM Litifcae se w hen you pack! in your su
a picture of you n later) take n (sooner thaing Break destination. Spr ing your vacatio LIFE at your Sometime dur CM h wit ) n as you can.ates. (& your friends page as soogs gift certific LIFE facebook falo Wild Win to to the CM Post the phoyou contest for Buf a into ... This enters ost re-p & e to vot tell your friends Make sure to “likes”
ith the most The entry w Buffalo Wild in 00 $1 s in w rtificates! Wings Gift Ce
3
d wins $50 wins $75, thir Second place Wings gift certificates d in Buffalo Wil
JAN. - DEC. WEEKLY EFFORTS: WHO READS PROMOTION. As newspapers continue to struggle for readership and relevance, and headlines continue to promote the gloom and doom of the printed word, we wanted to tell a different story. In our small market, the story is different. Not only is our readership among students still high, but our readership within the community of Mt. Pleasant continues to remain high. We wanted to showcase, not only to our readers, but primarily to our advertisers, who reads CM LIFE and the diversity of our readers. The PR staff coordinates the photo shoots and testimonials and creates the ads. The testimonials were used in other promotional materials as well. We included the testimonials on our advertising website for future advertisers to read; we added them to our bi-monthly email newsletter to our existing advertisers; we used them as rack posters around campus; and we added them as a photo album on CM LIFE’s Facebook page. The promotion has been very successful. It has a graphic element that is recognizable; when people are asked to do a testimonial, they remember previous ones that have run; and advertisers have commented about the diversity of our readership. It has been a great way to tell our story.
Calendar
Where are YOU taking us for Spring Break ? VoTinG Will Close aT 5 p.m. Friday, marCh 15.
Limit one entry per person.
facebook.com/cmlife
1. Spring Break promo ad; 2, 3 & 4 Examples of Spring Break entries
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
1
2
APRIL BEST OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN BRIBE/VOTING PROMOTION: CM LIFE produces a special section every fall dedicated to readers choice votes for the BEST OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN. During the voting period (APRIL) for this section, we offer a bribe event to encourage more print ballots for the participating businesses who LOVE TO WIN!
3
Businesses participating in the bribe promotion get special boxes for their customers to vote, along with special ballots. In addition, they get featured in 20-30 second videos posted to CM LIFE facebook page. These videos highlight interviews with the business owner, and why they were chosen number 1 the previous year. In 2013, our PR team produced 12 videos. Facebook: The Facebook promotion increases awareness and adds another layer of voting. Each day our PR staff would post a new “category” to vote in. We would post the top 5 vote getters from the previous year, and if a business wanted to be added to the category, they just simply had to post a photo to our wall, and we would move it to the category. Then it was up to them to get their fans to our page to vote. Twitter: Daily reminders were tweeted for the Facebook category of the day and for friendly reminders to vote, especially in the very competitive categories. Daily reminders with links to the voting and the promotional video would also be posted.
4
QR Codes in our printed products: newspaper ads, bus shelter posters, and fliers; offer readers a quick gateway via phones to vote on our Facebook page and online at cm-life.com. Print and online ballots and Facebook voting, plus the bribe boxes added up to more than 3,400 ballots cast. In September: Our PR team produces a 4-6 minute video highlighting some of the favorite winners. They are also responsible for producing the advertorial content of the Best of Central Michigan magazine.
1. Best of Central Michigan window decal. This art is also part of the cover design for the publication and website; 2. 20-30 second video of last year’s winner for unique business; 3. Facebook cover photo sample; 4. Best of CM highlight video stars, Adam and Chelsea.
Calendar
This year we also produced a Best of Central Michigan window decal for the businesses doors and for social media we made special Facebook cover art that businesses could use on their Facebook pages. This also extended CM Life’s brand on more than 90 business Facebook pages.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL DELIVERY BLITZ:
Distribution to apartment complexes and residence halls. Our back to school issue comes out on move in day, the Thursday prior to school starting. This requires us to alter our delivery method in order to get the product into more student hands. Our PR staff implemented personal, door-to-door delivery to all of the major apartment complexes and the residence halls. The staff, along with members of the advertising and editorial teams, handstuffed more than 2,000 bags to hang on door knobs. Our remaining papers were delivered to our racks in the community and on campus. The earlier delivery of our product to students moving in helps our advertisers who rely on the surge of business during those critical move in days. Additional papers are also distributed at the Main Stage/Welcome back event hosted by Residence Life and Student Life. CM LIFE advertising, editorial and public relations staffed worked the CM LIFE table. This is a great introduction to the thousands of new freshmen on campus.
1
r Not You
PAPA’S Paper!
APP DOWNLOAD PROMO:
The PR team hit the streets hard to promote our App and to remind students about the amazing deals they could find on the App. We partnered with one of our largest advertisers to giveaway an iPad to a lucky student who downloaded the App The promotion extended into November. During this two month promotion we gave out 300 waterbottles, 500 drawstring bags, and 250 USB cards.
http://bit.ly/SlQb9P
Central Michigan University’s
premier news source and student
cm
ALL EYES ON TIPTON
cm-life.com
PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 1 VOL.
Check out our website redesign Monday, Aug. 26.
Football leaning on running back’s strength 3B with inexperience at quarterback PAGE
95
CMU looking to hire President Ross a housekeeper By John Irwin Managing Editor
WHAT'S INSIDE UNIVERSITY
JAN. - DEC. DAILY EFFORTS:
is Central Michigan University searching to hire a new housekeeper for President George Ross’ universityprovided residence. to The part-time position, open expeanyone with prior housekeeping for 18-20 rience, pays $13-$15 per hour hours of work per week, according to the job listing on CMU’s website. sure “all Duties listed include making and areas of the home including deck porch are clean, neat and tidy.� Significantly decreased on-campus year undergraduate enrollment this
INSTA-VIBE
CM-LIFE APP
Ross to cut back and not fill positions, one. up after 12 or said he hopes it sends a positive that 14 people — “I hope it sends the message said. “It actually, our CMU is moving forward,� he mind, largest crowd would be no different, in my going inside has been in saying to you that we’re not just north of to have custodians in this building just 50 people. cleaning up these offices. It’s I expect So, there’s a another university building. housekeeper it to be clean.� positions. posithat maintains Ross called the housekeeper “It’s not new to the president’s but the president’s tion standard not just for CMU house,� Ross said during a Monday residence.� Life’s for most colleges and universities George Ross meeting with Central Michigan Asked what extenthroughout the state. editorial staff. “We entertain kind of meswhy w ROSS | 2A sends at a sively in that house, and that’s doesn’t sage hiring a housekeeper there’s a housekeeper. My wife time when departments are beginning to clean work here. I do. I’m not going
$18 has left the university with an as million budget deficit. As a result, TrustRoss noted at July’s Board of and ees meeting, “some vacant staff lled� in faculty positions will not be fi to offset the months and years to come declining revenue. Housekeeper is not one of those
FREE!
Taylor Ballek| Photo Editor friends on Tuesday night to encourage laugh as Pete creates a “meme� in first place and fiancee Michelle Boog Contest. Currently, they are St. Johns senior Pete Maniez & Resort Dream Wedding Photo in the Soaring Eagle Casino Facebook to vote for them out cm-life.com. photos of Pete & Michelle, check with 17,965 votes. For more
Enrollment numbers fall, number of applicants rise
Catey Traylor
19,3 57
New year, new look, new paper
Years
17,8 00
19,3 68
201 0-11
201 2-13
201 1-12
18,6 86
ENROLLMENT BY THE NUMBERS
Life inside
Diversity Center for Inclusion and
Diversity office for Institutional
700 319 (989) 774-3 Warriner Hall www.cmich.edu/institutional_diversity.htm
Diversity is about having
a commitment to understand
and
appreciate the unique qualities
and
differences of each individual. -Traci L. Guinn Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity
offiCe of diversity eduCation
Pre College PrograMs:
gear uP and uPward bound
MultiCultural aCadeMiC
student serviCes
Like. Follow. Read. King-Chavez-ParKs visiting
Professors PrograM
native aMeriCan PrograMs
lesbian gay bisexual transgender
queer serviCes
• PRINT • ONLINE • MOBILE
holding the faculty and administration of this university accountable. in you We’ll just be doing that with
mind. coverWith a new attitude on news use a age, I thought CM Life could we’re facelift, too. Something to show and startserious about these changes ing fresh with the student body. a That’s why we’re launching By Ryan Fitzmaurice brand-new website on Monday, Editor-in-Chief today, Senior Reporter revealing a new in-print design will have a new phone app coming NEW YEAR, NEW WEBSITE According to numbers released soon, and have begun using multimeRead background on the onbefore. by Central Michigan University, is dia and social more than ever CMU website changes along campus undergraduate enrollment w 8A We’ll be looking for your opinion this with student reaction. us projected to drop 5 to 7 percent on Twitter, asking you to send imyear to between 17,300 and 17,800 photos on Instagram, and sharing applicaFacebook. students, even though 22,023 LOOKING BACK portant articles with you on tions for on-campus fall enrollment We’ll be hitting campus to feature videos have been submitted to the university you and your organizations in as of Aug. 15. and photo galleries. addiAccording to university officials, CenAnd all of that is going on in Over the past couple of years, side that puts applications at an all-time tion to changes on the advertising tral Michigan Life, Central Michigan high, despite the drop in enrollment. Life. of CM University’s premier news source Interim Director of Admissions We have ad representatives hard 1919, has case of and your student voice since some of Kevin Williams said it’s not a audiat work to bring attention to begun to stray from its primary the university turning more students Mount Pleasant’s best businesses. are ence: CMU students. away, but rather more students Take advantage of the deals you Between faculty and administration Let them applying to CMU and then selecting spending of uni- find in the paper and online. from questionable tensions, university. them another know you heard about versity funds and numerous instances paper “Along with our many compethas CM Life. Show them that this private of faculty confusion, the paper ing public colleges, there are in cov- means something to you. started to become bogged down best to colleges and community colleges. That being said, we’ll do our ering the bureaucracy of the university have There are several options to choose CHECK OUT THE TOP 13 it is: a make your voice heard, but you to get YEAR and at times lost focus of what from,â€? Williams said. “We need HEADLINES FROM LAST help us. to students. for is it students, by because run paper camin front of these students, Eric Fisher, student abduction, Tell us what’s happening on Don’t get me wrong – those issues our time truly a buyer’s market out there.â€? pus. We spend a majority of dumpster ďŹ res and more. said, needed to be covered, and were That Now more than ever, Williams w Section D students voice got in the office, making the paper. On-campus undergraduate covered well, but the student happenCMU needs to become increasingly means we miss some things lost in many of those stories. we competitive. large year ing on campus. It doesn’t mean the Johnson said. “I can tell you a I’m here to tell you this is the though. them, “Students can shop around for nanfi cover the to start want don’t students) marnumber (of be that will change. it.â€? best option, the best scholarship Here’s my promise to you: We’ll cial aid process and don’t complete to be This year, my staff and I are giving but we not ket,â€? Williams said. “You have the watchdogs of this campus, Johnson said the university did the paper back to YOU. proactive; our financial aid packages this to need you to be our eyes and ears. deny more students admission We want to hear what you have Want need to be top-notch, the scholarHear something suspicious? year than in years past. say. We want to cover what interests could get ships we offer have to be top-notch.â€? you love an event covered? Wish you “We did not raise university and Students worry as tuition, you. We want to know what to Vice President of Enrollment we you involved? Have a story that needs said standards,â€? Johnson said. “But, student loan rates increase about this place, along with what Student Services Steven Johnson We want be told? definitely did not lower the university enrolllove to hate about this place. you. ÂťPAGE 6A another reason for declining Let us know! We’re here for voice in standards.â€? your face, your story and your ment is because, with a fully-online that I know life gets busy and classes Williams said he is confident the paper. don’t Cody Kater named starting its application process, more students won’t start to consume your days, but the university will be able to raise process Though, that’s not to say we to Moore are beginning the application quarterback for 2013 season come to forget about us. Come on up enrollment to a desirable amount, be the same CM Life you’ve and I’d and choosing not to finish. news 436. My door’s always open ÂťPAGE 1B though that number has not been rely on to report hard-hitting “The goal is always to get students every love to hear your story. determined as of yet. will stories. We’ll still be examining to finish that process, yet you Remembering Josie they budget that comes our way, delving w ENROLLMENT | 2A always get students who, once editor@cm-life.com and they ÂťPAGE 4B into Board of Trustees meetings, make the determination to apply, that,â€? might not choose to continue
NEW LOOK
Life
cm
Sitting in their first apartment together, St. Johns seniors Michelle to run Boog and Pete Maniez begin they through the various obstacles decade. have come across in the past The constant subject between the devoted couple is the abnormal in growth found in Michelle’s brain April 2011. “Originally, they had diagnosed Michelle’s pains as migraines,� his Pete said while sitting next to when girlfriend of nine years. “But they chose to do an MRI to doublewe check, they found a tumor, and were told it was brain cancer.� Out of all the people in the doclike tor’s office, Pete said it seemed in the Michelle was the least scared room. w WEDDING | 10A
Pro ject 201 ed 3-14
2
WELCOME BACK
on your iPhone or Android and then share the app link on Facebook and Twitter.
compliments of United
Download our APP for the latest CMU news, sports, entertainment and other special offerings!
It’s
By Tony Wittkowski Metro Editor
WELCOME WEEKEND POSES NO PROBLEM FOR CAMPUS, LOCAL POLICE this Police say they will handle year’s festivities as they have w 5A in the past.
Download our CM-Life App
Winning entry gets an iPad
TODAY!
One couple’s story of overcoming cancer and competing for their dream wedding
CHECK OUT YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER PHOTOS IN OUR INSTA-VIBE FEED! You sent us your best photos— w 2C see if they made the cut.
Compliments of
you’re entered for the drawing.
Download the
A Lifelong Journey
John Meixner
CMU PROFESSOR ARRESTED IN OVER SUMMER TO TEACH FALL AS PLANNED Philosophy professor John Meixner was arrested this summer for disturbing the peace after taking photos w 3A of young women.
iPad
Hashtag #CMLIFEAPP and
Life
THURSDAY, AUG. 22, 2013 | MOUNT
FACEBOOK & TWITTER PR Manager promotes interesting articles, photos and advertisements to CM LIFE Facebook page and Twitter feed. These posts will alternate between links to website, or teaser to pick up the paper. Staff members use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote CM LIFE. This creates an opportunity to show the diversity of information in CM LIFE on any given day.
voice since 1919.
ENTER TO WIN AN
cm-life.com
Apartments. Contest ends Friday, November 22, 2013 at Midnight. Winner will be announced in CM-Life on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013.
Download our app and get exclusive specials from: • The Cabin • CMU Program Board • Creme De La Creme • Deerfield Village • The Golf Center • Happy’s Pizza • Hunter’s Ale House • Jamestown Apartments • Jet’s Pizza • O’Kellys • Papa John’s Pizza • Park Place Apartments • The Plate Boutique • S. Silverberg Fine Jewelers
• Student Book Exchange (SBX) • Taco Boy • Timber Creek Apartments • Traverse Vision • United Apartments • Union Square • Village at Bluegrass • West Point Village • West Campus Village • Wayside Central • Yorkshire Commons
...plus many more!
1. PR, Advertising & Editorial staffs package papers for door to door delivery; 2. Not Your Poppa’s paper promotion. CM Life PR members wore shirts and handed out freebies around campus, these wallet USB drives were the most popular.
Calendar CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER CAMPUS CASH:
CM LIFE publishes an 80 page coupon book twice a year. Once at the beginning of the school year in August and another near the beginning of the Spring Semester in February. These books are distributed at events, activities and rack locations on campus. Advertisers and readers LOVE them.
1
This section is promoted in the newspaper, on the CM Life website, on CM LIFE’s facebook and twitter pages and on bus shelters. The bus shelter poster includes a QR code that takes the user to our coupon book’s own dedicated website. The daily task of our PR interns is to Facebook and Tweet a different coupon each day, to encourage our readers to redeem. These Facebook posts give an advertiser 1,800-2,500 impressions on their coupon. The PR staff maintains the website.
LETS GET 2
HALLOWEIRD COSTUME CONTEST @
Tuesday, October 29, 2013 ALL NIGHT LONG! Prizes for top 3 costumes!
1ST PLACE
FREE COVER
2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE
@ Wayside for a year! 1 FREE PIZZA per month @ The Cabin for a year!
$50 IN CAB CARDS
from Chippewa Cab
Like. Follow. Read.
Voting done via Twitter. Pick up your rules from the CM Life table when you get there!
1. Fall 2013 Book & Campus Cash Twitter post promoting trivia contest in the book and sample Facebook post for individual advertisers. 2. Halloweird promotional ad & sample tweet of contest entry.
In addition there was a CMU football trivia contest inside the Fall Book. CM Life PR staff tweeted and posted reminders on FB encouraging readers to answer the questions to win an iPad.
RESIDENCE HALL & RSO PRESENTATIONS:
In an effort to reach out to more freshmen and get them to start reading earlier, our PR interns coordinate with the 14 Residence Hall directors to make presentations at hall council meetings. The PR interns accompanied by a representative from the newsroom, usually the Editor In Chief, discuss the importance of CM LIFE on campus, introduce them to the sections in the paper, where to find the paper on campus, what days we publish and then answer any questions they might have. The PR intern will then do giveaways (CM LIFE t-shirts) by asking questions about what was presented to them. In addition, we provide a handout with contact information for each department on the paper. On the back of that sheet we also include instructions on how to make a newspaper hat, with an encouraging message to read, reuse and recycle. The PR interns have paper hats already premade to hand out as well. HALLOWEIRD PROMOTION: This year CM Life branched out with more cross promotions with our favorite advertisers. The “Halloweird CM Life Costume Contest” was part of a three day Halloween promotion with one of our local party spots. CM Life gathered prizes and participants had to come to the bar in costume, get their photos taken by a CM Life PR representative using their own phone. The participant than tweeted for votes. The social media contest promoted CM Life, increased visibility of CM Life on social media and helped extend our “FUN” brand.
Calendar CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
1
OCTOBER CAMPUS GOLF 2013: A brand new event for CM LIFE this year was CAMPUS GOLF 2013. It provided a unique activity on campus that no one else has ever done. We set up 3-4 par, 18 hole course on campus. Golfers could use ONE iron and a TENNIS ball. We had custom red tennis balls created for the event with the CM LIFE logo on them.
FRIDAY
Golfers could play individually or on teams of 2-4. The front nine holes were set up on North Campus and the back nine holes were set up on Central Campus. Tee boxes were set up and the “hole” was actually pallets set up at angles. Golfers had to hit the target mounted on the pallet to finish the hole.
October 4
th
CMU’S WARRINER MALL • 11:00 AM
We sold hole sponsors, and the business logos were featured in the center of the targets. Each sponsor was able to set up an information table at their hole and interact with golfers and students who walked by. We made $2,700 on hole sponsors. The sponsors loved the event. The winning team won $100 in Buffalo Wild Wings certificates. The losing team one $50 Cabin certificate. Overall the event created a lotta buzz. JAN. - DEC. DAILY EFFORTS: FACEBOOK & TWITTER
PR Manager promotes interesting articles, photos and advertisements to CM LIFE Facebook page and Twitter feed. These posts will alternate between links to website, or teaser to pick up the paper. Staff members use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote CM LIFE. This creates an opportunity to show the diversity of information in CM LIFE on any given day.
WIn pRIZes!
• Winning team • Longest drive
• Closest to green • and more
Ready for a new twist on an old game? •
You Bring 1 Club (no experience needed)
•
CM Life will provide tennis balls
•
18 holes throughout campus
•
Holes only up to 75 yards long!
G lf Center
Wher e Practice Makes P erfect...
SPONSORS: THRIVE CHURCH
Mt. Pleasant REPAIR
Cross your own finish line.
RegisteR online AT: https:fs16.formsite.com/CMLIFE/CampusGolf/index.html ––>
QuestIOns OR spOnsORshIp InFO: (989) 774-3493 • Email: advertising@cm-life.com
1. Campus golf registration table; sample of the ball and target. Above graphic was used as an innovative ad in CM LIFE and modified for a postcard and scorecard.
Calendar CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
1
8A | Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 | Central Michigan Life | cm-life.com
SPECIAL SPEAKER EVENT
otivated Mitten
FREE EVENT Open to the Public
SPECIAL SPEAKER EVENT
otivated Mitten
The Road to
Success is Always
Under
FREE EVENT
Construction
NOVEMBER
8A | Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 | Central Michigan Life | cm-life.com
Movement is
LIFE
MOTIVATED MITTEN SPEAKER SERIES: Our newest and most successful event in 2013 was the Motivated Mitten Speaker event. This high profile event was planned in conjunction with two of the most cutting edge departments on campus: CMU New Venture Competition and CMU Research Center. Both departments emphasize entrepreneurial, creative thinking.
Stagnation is
DEATH
GO BIG!
Open to the Public
UNDERCOVER
START SMALL
BOSS COMES TO CMU! MONDAY
Working together we brought speakers to campus to inspire creativity, and were focused on entrepreneurship within the state of Michigan. Our focus was to encourage students to see the positive opportunities within Michigan, and to keep CMU grads working in Michigan, rather than leaving the state. The secondary focus was to remind students that it isn’t just the degree but the amount of passion and hard work that goes into being successful. Basically: Motivate them to stay and believe in Michigan.
MONDAY
November 4
November 4
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
CMU’S WARRINER HALL PLACHTA AUDITORIUM
CMU’S WARRINER HALL PLACHTA AUDITORIUM
DOORS OPEN @ 6:30
DOORS OPEN @ 6:30 The honorary keynote speaker, Sheldon Yellen, is an international businessman and unconventional CEO whose compassion for his employees was revealed on CBS’ hit series, “Undercover Boss.” Yellen will share his entrepreneurial story about overcoming adversity, growing up on the streets of Detroit and his journey to becoming the CEO of a now $1.5 billion property restoration company. Listen as he shares how his motto of “Doing The Right Thing, even when no one is watching” has grown a company from a single-awning business to the worldwide industry leader.
Roland Coit better known as Ro Spit, entrepreneur and artist, is a Co-Owner of Burn Rubber, a sneaker and street wear boutique in downtown Royal Oak. Spit, and his partner, took over the store in 2007 and their passion and innovation led to an expansion of the Burn Rubber Midwest Lifestyle brand.
Sheldon Yellen FEATURED ON
RO SPIT
Michigan MADE! A L S O F E AT U R I N G G U E S T S P E A K E R S
RO SPIT
JEFF WEGNER
JEFF WEGNER
•
Co-owner of Burn Rubber, two/eighteen
•
Top Placement in CMU’s New Venture Competition 2012
•
Top Placement in CMU’s New Venture Competition 2012
•
Created “Detroit Rubber” webisodes, presented by Eminem
•
Owner of Movement Creative Media
•
Owner of Movement Creative Media
•
Grew Burn Rubber company into World-Wide lifestyle brand.
•
Adobe writers featured his “Empowerment Plan” documentary
• Adobe writers featured his “Empowerment Plan” documentary
• Michigan MADE!
• Michigan MADE!
• Michigan MADE!
M OT I VAT E D M I T T E N I S A M I C H I G A N E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P S P E A K E R S E R I E S P R E S E N T E D BY
SHELDON YELLEN •
Global leader in his industry
•
Generates $1.5 billion annually
•
Believes his greatest assets are his 6,400 employees
M OT I VAT E D M I T T E N I S A M I C H I G A N E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P S P E A K E R S E R I E S P R E S E N T E D BY
cm
Life
cm
Life cm-life.com
cm-life.com
COUNTRY PLACE
Heritage Square
RE
C! SI MU
YORKSHIRE
MAY STREET APTS.
JAMESTOWN APTS.
Franklin Village Oak Ridge Apartments WASHINGTON VILLAGE
UNION SQUARE WEST CAMPUS VILLAGE
R PR IZ
ES! A p A r t m e n t s
S AN D D OO
Park Place
E B IE
Cherry Street Townhouses
REP
Office of
Residence Life
IV TAT SEN
ES
CMU
S! FREE FOOD & BEVE RAGE
E! S IT ON
Central Park Apartments at
3
Olivieri-Homes
A P A R T M E N T S
FRE
2
FULLY LOADED COLLEGE LIVING®
Appian Way SOUTHPOINT VILLAGE
EMERALD VILLAGE
MAIN STREET APTS.
DEERFIELD VILLAGE
WESTERN ISLANDS
WESTPOINT VILLAGE
POLO VILLAGE
PLEASANT STREET APTS.
AROON & GOLD! LIVE M Now’s the time to plan for the 2014-15 school year.
MT. PLEASANT
HOUSING
FAIR Wednesday
November 6 6pm - 8pm at Wayside Central
Do you know where you want to live? The Mt. Pleasant Housing Fair can help you find the best places in town – before they are all gone!
FREE FOOD including
CABIN PIZZA and lots of
GIVEAWAYS!
2000 S. MiSSion Mt. PleaSant
Stay for the
CMU FOOTBALL WATCH PARTY! Starting @ 8pm Hosted by:
Like.
Follow.
Read.
1. Motivated Mitten: Full page ads in the paper, posters and postcards. 2. Social Media Sharing Contest on Facebook & Twitter; 3. Housing Fair: Full page ad and poster sample.
Calendar
The keynote speaker was Sheldon Yellon of BELFOR. Yellen is an international businessman and unconventional CEO of BELFOR. His compassion for his employees was showcased on CBS’ hit series “Undercover Boss.” The event filled the campus’ Plachta Auditorium. Attendees ranged from CMU students, faculty and staff to local, regional and state business and political leaders.
apartment management group
LO TS OF IN FO RM AT IO N!
• Michigan MADE!
The Motivated Mitten Speaker Series program inaugural event was on Monday, November 4, 2013. We brought in three speakers at three different levels in their career to share their message. Their consistent themes were: looking at the big picture; adversity; persistency; passion and being proactive.
• Michigan MADE!
A L S O F E AT U R I N G G U E S T S P E A K E R S
HOUSING FAIR: The Mt. Pleasant Housing Fair is an annual event held on campus and hosted by CM LIFE. This event is a public relations effort for our largest group of advertisers, Mt. Pleasant apartment complexes. Ten of our top 20 accounts are housing units in the Mt. Pleasant community. They also support our 3x per year Apartment Life magazine. To shake things up a bit this year, we moved the event off campus to a favorite party spot among students. The main floor was cleared, and tables set up around the perimeter of the room. Food and beverage was provided and attendees were encouraged to stay after for a CMU Football Watch party after the Housing Fair. The vendors loved the change of venue, one even provided free limo rides to their units for tours. This event also helps promote CM LIFE as a source for the latest and most complete information on apartments in Mt. Pleasant. We promoted this event with full-page advertisements, online site wrap, social media postings and a sharing event on Facebook and Twitter. There was a Facebook event page as well. CM LIFE brought in more than 500 students to talk with area apartment complexes and landlords. At this event, CM LIFE also distributes its Fall/ Winter issue of Apartment Life magazine.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY