Getting the Word Out
Communication Services is the unit of University Marketing Communications responsible for releasing all university news, except athletic news and information about the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. The director of communications serves as the liaison between the media and the university.
Media Assistance
Communication Services provides advance notice of university breaking news and events by writing media releases and feature stories for the Web, newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, etc. Additionally, Communication Services handles arrangements for media interviews and news conferences. Releases are posted online at http://uwf.edu/uwfMain/press/pressRel.cfm
Publicizing News and Events
Information to be disseminated to the media via Communications Services should be provided well in advance of planned events. If material is of a topical nature (dealing with upcoming events particularly), it should be submitted at least three weeks prior to the upcoming event. To submit information, e-mail specifics to jcooper@uwf.edu or complete a UWF Communications Request form and submit it to Communication Services prior to the news event. Indicate whether you would like a media release, public service announcement, Fountain article, ThE News item, UWF Connection article or posting on the Web calendar, marquee or ComConnection listserv. Photos or high-quality digital images of guest speakers, performers, etc., are always welcome and aid in obtaining publicity. Schedules of events and speakers, biographical information and travel schedules, are also helpful in coordinating media coverage. When submitting information to Communication Services, please make sure to answer: Who?, What?, When?, Where?, How? and, if applicable, How much?
Experts/Speakers Guide
Communication Services maintains an online experts and speakers guide. Experts are faculty and staff members who have volunteered to serve as media references in their area of expertise. Speakers are faculty and staff who have volunteered as speakers for public events. This free service is provided to the community. Speakers may accept honoraria or travel expenses if offered by the host group. The online experts guide is located at http://haas.uwf.edu/facindex/expertsearch/. The online speakers guide is located at http://haas.uwf.edu/facindex/.
Argus Today
Argus Today is a service of UWF Marketing Communications and is distributed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Entries are pulled from Argus “personal announcements” and ECal, the university’s online campus calendar. Announcements are targeted toward specific groups in Argus; some announcements may not be visible to you if you are not a member of the target group. To submit an event, e-mail ecal@uwf.edu. To request a personal announcement, click the “Ask Us!” icon in Argus. Submissions are due at 10 a.m. two days prior to the desired date of publication. All submissions will be considered for publication in a regular issue at the discretion of the editor and will be edited to comply with professional journalistic standards. Publication is not guaranteed. Items received after publication deadline will be placed in the next available issue.
Fountain
The Fountain is produced monthly throughout the year, except during the summer months. It is the official publication for employee news. As a supplement to the print edition of Fountain, University Marketing Communications also maintains “Online Fountain,” which is more interactive, allowing faculty and staff to submit content and pictures. “Online Fountain” is updated continuously as employees submit items, and new features are posted every Wednesday. Visit “Online Fountain” at http://uwf.edu/fountain. News and announcements for the Fountain or “Online Fountain” may be sent via e-mail to Jenny Pedraza, communications coordinator, at jpedraza@uwf.edu.
Crisis Communications
Pat Crawford, associate vice president for University Marketing Communications or a presidential designee will serve as the official spokesperson for the university in the event of weather emergencies, crisis situations and other situations as determined by the president of the University of West Florida. This individual will serve as the contact between the media and university and will provide referrals to proper sources of information within the university community and crisis communication committee in the event of a crisis.