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Brand Updates

MSU staff members win CASE awards for publications, videos, events and design

February 12, 2021 by Michelle S. Rose

Boomer wearing "It's On!" t-shirt in front of Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Missouri State University staff members are the recipients of nine CASE District VI 2021 Institutional Awards. This includes two Grand Golds, the district’s highest honor.

CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, is a nonprofit that supports alumni relations, communications, development and marketing professionals at educational institutions worldwide.

MSU is in CASE District VI, which includes Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

These awards recognize work from this district that showcases best practices and builds strong relationships with alumni, donors, potential students and other constituencies.

MSU’s entries competed against a large field of more than 300 submissions, reviewed by more than 70 judges.

2021 awards

Grand Gold in Publications/Student Recruitment-Viewbooks and Prospectuses: Variable Data Viewbook

From the judges: “This is a fantastic example of customizing an experience based on a user. The writing and photography are also excellent. This is a game-changing concept with measurable outcomes, since the team can show a direct correlation to increase in web traffic when these publications were mailed.”

Front cover of variable data viewbook

Lead team members:

  • Veronica Adinegara, senior graphic designer, editorial and design services
  • Michelle S. Rose, assistant director of editorial, editorial and design services
  • Contributing photographer Kevin White, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Contributing photographer Jesse Scheve, photographer, office of visual media
  • Mark A. McCarty, manager of printing and postal services
  • Austin Hubbard, pre-press technician, printing and postal services
  • Julie C. Spinabella, administrative coordinator of data and communications
  • Benjamin P. Metzger, associate director of admissions/operations and systems

Grand Gold in Video/Fundraising-Short: Onward, Upward: The Campaign for Missouri State University

From the judges: “Excellent use of famous alum. Script was really good. Inspiring use of ‘Here come the Bears’ and transition to today’s campus.”

 

Lead team members:

  • Chris Nagle, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Kevin Agee, content strategist, university communications
  • Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement
  • Suzanne Shaw, vice president for marketing and communications
  • Stephanie Smith, senior director of donor relations and special events

Additional support provided by the offices of development, university communications and visual media.

Gold in Special Events-Single Day: It’s ON — Missouri State University “Onward, Upward” Campaign Launch Event

From the judges: “THIS is how a successful campaign looks, feels and lives. The Missouri State University ‘Onward, Upward’ campaign is a gem on all accounts. Unique aspect of keeping a secret while also inspiring attendees to come. Great marketing materials. Outstanding work!”

Stage and auditorium full as streamers fly through air at It's On announcement.

Lead team member:

  • Stephanie Smith, senior director of donor relations and special events

Additional support from members of the offices of alumni relations, development and the Division of Marketing and Communications.

Gold in Video/PSAs and Commercial Spots: “This is the right place, this is the right time”

From the judges: “Well done. Great placement for a famous alumnus. Great messaging in the time constraints.”

Lead team members:

  • Chris Nagle, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Suzanne Shaw, vice president for marketing and communications
  • Bob Linder, former director, office of visual media
  • Kevin Agee, content strategist, university communications

Silver in Publications/Fundraising-Case Statements/General Cultivation Publications: Onward, Upward Master Case Statement

From the judges: “A comprehensive campaign case statement is a major undertaking, and this one is nicely done. The campaign name and the logo have great movement, and lots of possibilities. They carried this through with a compelling story.”

Case statement for the Onward Upward campaign.

Lead team members:

  • Amy Schuldt, assistant director of design, editorial and design services
  • Michelle S. Rose, assistant director of editorial, editorial and design services
  • Wendy Ferguson, executive director of development
  • Lauren Stockam, graduate assistant, university communications

Silver in Publications/Institutional Relations-Research Publications: 2019 Mind’s Eye

Cover of 2019 Mind's Eye, featuring Lisa Brescia in NYC's Times Square.

From the judges: “This publication is a great example of sharing research activities with excellent storytelling and readability.”

Lead team members:

  • Nicki Donnelson, assistant director, university communications
  • Teri Poindexter, graphic designer, editorial and design services
  • Contributing writers:
    • Andrea Mostyn, director of university communications
    • Emily Yeap, public relations specialist, university communications
    • Kevin Agee, content strategist, university communications
    • Graduate assistants Lauren Stockam and Tori York
    • Lucie Amberg, former strategic communications specialist for the Reynolds College of Arts and Letters
  • Contributing photographers:
    • Bob Linder, former director, office of visual media
    • Kevin White, assistant director, office of visual media
    • Jesse Scheve, photographer, office of visual media

Silver in Video on a Shoestring: “Better Than Ever”

From the judges: “Good energy. Student and alumni pride was clear.”

Lead team members:

  • Chris Nagle, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Kevin Agee, content strategist, university communications
  • Suzanne Shaw, vice president for marketing and communications
  • Clif Smart, university president

Silver in Video/Student Recruitment-Long: “Mind’s Eye: Putting it all out there”

 

Lead team members:

  • Nicki Donnelson, assistant director, university communications
  • Chris Nagle, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Kevin White, assistant director, office of visual media
  • Lisa Brescia, assistant professor, theatre and dance
  • Lucie Amberg, former strategic communications specialist for the Reynolds College of Arts and Letters

Bronze in Design for Publications (Multi-Page): 2019 Mind’s Eye

From the judges: “Very nice piece, whether in print or video. … This took a lot of coordinating and expense to create. Well-written and diverse selections for highlighted stories.”

Lead team members:

  • Nicki Donnelson, assistant director, university communications
  • Teri Poindexter, graphic designer, editorial and design services
  • Contributing photographers:
    • Bob Linder, former director, office of visual media
    • Kevin White, assistant director, office of visual media
    • Jesse Scheve, photographer, office of visual media

Filed Under: awards, Inspiration, News and updates Tagged With: awards, best practices, brand, CASE, Inspiration, marketing and communications

Social Media Kit: Welcome Weekend 2019

August 14, 2019 by Strategic Communication

Key details

  • When: Thursday, Aug. 15 – Sunday, Aug. 18
  • Where: All over campus

Share your story

The best Welcome Weekend stories come from those who live it. When you attend any of the weekend events, we want to hear about your experience. We encourage you to join the online conversation throughout by posting about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tagging your posts with the official hashtag: #GoMaroon

Make your post social media savvy

  • Tag posts with the official Welcome Weekend hashtag: #GoMaroon
  • Engage with Missouri State on social
    • Missouri State University on Facebook
    • @MissouriState on Twitter
    • @MissouriState on Instagram
  • Link to http://www.missouristate.edu/welcome/ to provide more information
  • When you post to Facebook, boost your update by including a photo or video
  • Nothing beats a first-hand perspective. When you attend a Welcome Weekend event, consider sharing a photo from or quote about your experience. Images in this kit are pre-cropped for optimal use on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Visual assets

Snapchat

We’ll have a location geofilter available on campus all weekend.

Facebook cover photos

Tap or click to download and brand your departmental and personal social media accounts with these cover photo options.

Students clapping Facebook cover Bear Head Facebook cover Students taking pictures Facebook cover

Twitter cover photos

Tap or click to download and brand your departmental and personal social media accounts with these cover photo options.

Students taking pictures Twitter cover Bear Head Twitter cover Students clapping Twitter cover

Instagram

Tap or click to download and post to your departmental or personal Instagram account.

Students taking pictures instagram Bear Head instagram Students clapping Instagram

Video

Share these on social media or your departmental websites and blogs to provide a look at what students can expect at Welcome Weekend.

GIFs

Explore Missouri State GIFs on GIPHY

We have more than 100 Missouri State GIFs available on GIPHY. Discover how to utilize them on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Sample social media posts

  • Move-in is almost here. Learn more about making the move to MSU. http://bit.ly/1APw9g8 #GoMaroon
  • #GoMaroon at MSU during Welcome Weekend. Check out the lineup of great events: http://bit.ly/1pNX0Dt
  • Welcome new students to campus during New Student Convocation Aug. 19: http://bit.ly/1B8P19U #GoMaroon #CitizenBear
  • What Welcome Weekend event are you looking forward to the most? Check out the lineup: http://bit.ly/1pNX0Dt #GoMaroon
  • Making the move to MSU? Review our packing recommendations and move-in tips: http://bit.ly/1APw9g8

Filed Under: Social Media Kit Tagged With: brand, Inspiration, social media, Social Media Kit

University advancement sub-brand finds its voice

February 12, 2018 by Office of Editorial and Design Services

alumni magazine

With the launch of the university advancement sub-brand, special focus is given to messaging to ensure maximum readability when writing for alumni, donor and friends of Missouri State.

Below are some of the best practices being executed in the development of sub-brand text to boost comprehension, retention and action.

Contributed by Michelle Rose

Shorter is better

  • Shorter paragraphs
    • One to three sentences. Three is max. 25 words max for lead, i.e., first paragraph.
  • Shorter sentences
    • Eight words is perfect sentence length; occasionally longer is OK; 21 words should be max
  • Shorter words
    • Goal is five characters; one syllable or two is ideal

Be visual

  • Use large images
  • Break up text with infographics/numbers/timelines

Ellis Hall

More entry points

  • In text longer than 250 words, ensure there is at least one overall headline, and a minimum of two subheads
  • Create infographics
    • If something is a number, date, fact, timeline, etc., pop it out in a large box rather than keep it in paragraph or narrative-style text
  • Use more “chunks” of information
    • For fact-based stories that don’t have a natural story arc (nonprofiles, nonnarratives), break out each “thought” or thesis into its own chunk, complete with a mini headline or subhead
  • Break out all calls to action

Flex voice to connect with readers

  • Ask more questions (How will you inspire others? Etc.)
  • Be personal by using more us/you/we language (i.e., not “The university will endeavor to accomplish the goals” but “we will reach our goals.”)
  • Don’t use passive sentences
  • Focus on MSU pride and more use of the words from the overall university branding campaign

Filed Under: Inspiration, News and updates Tagged With: brand, Inspiration, marketing

Inspiration: Missouri State Career Center Facebook post

April 7, 2017 by Mary Chiles

In this series of posts we celebrate examples of creative and engaging branding within the university community. We highlight these to inspire you in your branding efforts!

Who caught our attention

Missouri State Career Center’s Facebook post.

Why it captures the brand 

The Career Center uses several effective visual elements to convey its message.

  • The Career Center used deconstructed frames, recommended under the branding guidelines. These convey a sense of motion, like turning a page or taking a step toward opportunities.
  • It uses the recommended primary brand color of maroon for a consistent, Missouri State-focused message.
  • It includes appropriate imagery with its use of statement photography. This is done to capture the pulse of the university. In this example students are preparing to use their degree to find a teaching job at the local, regional and national level.

How it meets the Career Center’s goals 

These brand elements help the Career Center demonstrate preparation for an education fair, which gives students the opportunity to find employment after graduation.

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: brand, career center, facebook, Inspiration, shout out

Sharing MSU with campus and beyond

December 20, 2016 by Office of Editorial and Design Services

Gain inspiration from these publications that embrace the visual identity and brand messaging. For additional information or for assistance in developing brand materials, contact the publications office.

about missouri state
Visitors, influence leaders and community partners gain important information and plans about MSU through these publications. The goal of each is to enhance the reputation of Missouri State and build greater visibility in the state.
Leg guide
Legislative Guide
promises fulfilled
Promises Fulfilled – Silver award by CASE District IV
long range plan
Long-Range Plan

Filed Under: News and updates, Portfolio Tagged With: brand, Inspiration

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