2025 Strategic Communications Seminar

Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Place: Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom (third floor)

The ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for WSU faculty and staff will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 30 in the Rhatigan Student Center. Attendees may choose to attend up to two sessions. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts.

Seminar Schedule

9:45-10 a.m. — Networking

10-10:45 a.m. — Opening Session

10:45-10:50 a.m. — Break

10:50-11:20 a.m. — Breakout Sessions • Round 1

11:20-11:25 a.m. — Break

11:25-11:55 a.m.. — Breakout Sessions • Round 2

NEW FOR 2025

Promotional Vendor Fair 

Participating vendors will have booths and representatives on hand beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. in the Aster Lounge.

Consolidus

Spectrum Promotional

Midwest Single Source

4imprint

Exhibit Arts LLC

Club Colors

Oklahoma Promo

Promo Solutions

Session Capsules

All breakout sessions other than the Opening Session will be offered twice. You'll be able to attend one session each round. 

Opening Session

(10-10:45 a.m.)

Shelly Coleman-Martins, VP of Strategic Communications and Marketing, will unveil the WSU Brand Impact Report, highlighting our achievements, brand equity, and the collective impact of our marketing efforts. Learn how strategic communications is shaping WSU’s national reputation and what’s ahead as we prepare for the next academic year.

  • Shelly Coleman-Martins, vice president, Strategic Communications

Breakout Sessions

(10:50 a.m.-11:20 a.m. and 11:25-11:55 a.m.)

CREATIVE: Brand Updates, Resources, and Campus-Wide Photoshoots

Discover recent campus branding projects, including the new visitor experience at the Marcus Welcome Center, the Flying W sculpture at the Oliver St. art pad, and more. We’ll also cover brand resources and show how you can get involved in our campus-wide photoshoot collaboration with RSC Marketing.

  • Amy Easum, director of creative services, Strategic Communications
  • Annelise Muret, senior designer, Strategic Communications
  • Jaci Ignudo, senior digital specialist, Strategic Communications
  • Vanessa Bell, director of marketing, Rhatigan Student Center

WEB: Design Refresh and Other Web Updates

We're in the home stretch of the engagement with our design partner New City.  We'll go over the new elements of the design we have so far and talk about improvements, changes and implementation.

  • Tim Hart, director of web and digital strategy, Strategic Communications
  • Mike Marlett, manager of web services, Media Resources Center

MARKETING: Unveiling Insights: Brand Perception Study

Join us to learn about the findings from the first year of our second brand perception study. This session will explore key insights, emerging trends and comparative data that highlight shifts in how Wichita State’s brand is perceived amongst Wichita area stakeholders.

  • Misty Bruckner, director of the Public Policy and Management Center

TRADEMARK & LICENSING: Protecting WSU’s identity

Wu Needs You … As a Brand Ambassador!!! Join Rob Gerlach and Catherine Bitting for an in-depth (and entertaining) session about the importance of brand protection. Hear about the University’s Trademark & Branding Panel while also learning the essentials of trademarks and licensing. .

  • Rob Gerlach, director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
  • Catherine Bitting, program manager of Trademarks & Branding

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Amplifying academic research: Best practices for telling your story

Join us as we discuss ways that Strategic Communications can help elevate academic research in your college, whether in campus newsletters or at a local or national media level. Learn what media are interested in and see examples of media pitches.

  • Lainie Mazzullo-Hart, director of news and media relations, Strategic Communications
  • Kayla Pennick, social media manager, Strategic Communications
  • Sara Tank-Ornelas, speechwriting and copywriting manager, Strategic Communications
  • Paul Suellentrop, senior communicator, Strategic Communications
  • Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor, Strategic Communications

ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE: Transforming marketing and communications

AI is revolutionizing content creation, personalization, and strategy—are you ready? John Jones will explore how AI is shaping the future of marketing and communications, providing tools and insights to help you work smarter and stay ahead of the curve.

  • John Jones, executive director, Media Resources Center