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OAA Marketing and Communications

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Strategic partners for academic units and leadership

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Strategic partners advancing academic excellence

The Office of Academic Affairs Marketing and Communications team works with academic leaders and units to advance Ohio State’s academic priorities, strengthen the university’s reputation and communicate the impact of its people, programs and scholarship.

We integrate communications strategy into planning and decision making. By engaging with partners early, we can identify audiences, establish measurable goals, anticipate communication needs and recommend approaches aligned with university priorities, policies and brand standards.

Our work supports a university-wide vision of academic excellence that expands access and opportunity, elevates the student experience, advances discovery and innovation, attracts outstanding talent and demonstrates Ohio State’s value to communities throughout Ohio and beyond. 

Submit a project, learn how we support and connect with our team.

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Marketing and communications project intake form

We are a strategic partner

Effective communication begins before a decision is finalized or a deliverable is requested. Our strategic partner model brings communications expertise into the early stages of planning so that communication can help shape programs, policies and initiatives, rather than simply promote them after decisions have been made.

Working together from the beginning allows us to:

  • Connect projects with Office of Academic Affairs and university priorities.
  • Define the desired outcome, audiences and calls to action.
  • Develop clear, consistent and credible messages.
  • Identify opportunities to coordinate across academic units.
  • Strengthen alignment with the Office of the President and University Marketing and Communications.
  • Anticipate risks, accessibility requirements and stakeholder concerns.
  • Select the channels and tactics most likely to achieve the intended result.
  • Establish meaningful measures of success.

This approach moves beyond completing individual communications tasks. It focuses our shared time and resources on achieving results, strengthening Ohio State’s academic voice and increasing institutional impact. 

Across the below priorities, we emphasize excellence at scale, access to excellence, student success, leading research, distinguished scholars, highly ranked academic programs and meaningful engagement with Ohio communities. 

Our role in advancing academic excellence

We help translate the university’s academic priorities into coordinated, compelling and audience-centered communications. Our work supports major areas of opportunity, including:

Signature undergraduate experience

We communicate how Ohio State combines world-class academics with research, internships, entrepreneurship, global learning, civic engagement and personalized support. These stories demonstrate how students develop the knowledge, experience and confidence to thrive as citizens, professionals and leaders.

Artificial intelligence, discovery and public impact

We elevate Ohio State’s leadership in artificial intelligence education, research and responsible innovation. Our communications connect expertise across disciplines and demonstrate how the university prepares students, accelerates discovery and applies knowledge to benefit society.

Economic and statewide impact

We show how Ohio State serves as an economic engine and value creator through research, talent development, workforce partnerships, entrepreneurship, innovation and community engagement. We help academic units connect their work to the university’s land-grant mission and its impact throughout Ohio and the nation.

Coordinating Communications Alignment

We connect academic communicators, leaders and units to strengthen message consistency, coordinate activity and extend the reach of academic stories. This collaboration helps Ohio State use its scale more effectively while maintaining a unified institutional voice.

The specific support provided for each initiative depends on its goals, audiences, timeline, institutional priority and available resources. 

 

Who we support

Our primary partners are: 

  • Office of Academic Affairs leaders and units.
  • Colleges and schools.
  • Academic centers, institutes and programs.
  • Academic communicators and marketers.
  • Faculty and staff leading strategic academic initiatives.
  • University partners whose work supports academic priorities.

For initiatives involving multiple colleges or units, we help establish shared goals, clarify responsibilities and coordinate communications across participating teams.

What we do

Our team provides strategy, consultation and execution across a range of marketing and communications functions.

Strategic communications counsel

We advise academic leaders and units on communication strategies that advance priorities, support informed decision making and build trust with key audiences. This may include audience analysis, message development, channel recommendations, communication planning, change management and issues preparedness.

Executive and leadership communications

We develop communications that help academic leaders share their vision, explain decisions, provide institutional context, and engage faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders.

Content strategy and storytelling

We identify and develop stories that showcase academic excellence, elevate the academic voice and demonstrate the reach and impact of Ohio State’s faculty, staff, students, programs and partnerships.

Digital communications

We develop and manage audience-centered content for websites, email, newsletters, social media and other digital channels. We use data, accessibility standards and communication best practices to improve reach, engagement and effectiveness.

Marketing and creative services

We develop integrated approaches to promoting academic programs, initiatives and opportunities. Support may include marketing strategy, campaign development and coordination of digital and print design.

Internal and change communications

We help leaders communicate organizational changes, new initiatives and evolving priorities with clarity and transparency. Our strategies build understanding, create alignment, address audience needs and recognize progress.

Strategic Advising on event communications

We develop communication strategies and materials that build awareness of academic events and encourage participation. Support may include promotional plans, invitations, save-the-date materials, programs, presentations and post-event communications.

How to work with us

Our team encourages partners to plan ahead and will recommend a strategy, scope, timeline and division of responsibilities. Successful partnerships depend on timely feedback, access to accurate information and a shared commitment to the agreed-upon approach. 

Engage us early

Contact our team when an initiative is being considered or planned, rather than waiting until a communication product is needed. Early engagement gives us the opportunity to understand the context, contribute strategic counsel and develop a realistic approach.

Begin with the outcome

Be prepared to discuss what the initiative should accomplish, who needs to be reached or engaged and what the audience should know, feel or do. We will help determine which communication strategies and deliverables best support those goals.

Identify key partners

Let us know which leaders, colleges, offices or subject-matter experts are involved. Early identification of decision-makers and contributors helps prevent delays and supports coordinated review and approval.

Plan for sufficient time

Timelines vary according to a project’s scope, complexity and required coordination. Comprehensive strategies and campaigns may take several weeks or months to plan and implement. Design, accessibility review, list development, leadership approval and coordination with other university offices may require additional time.

Submit the project request

After the initial consultation, submit the marketing and communications project intake form. Include the project background, goals, audiences, requested completion date, known stakeholders and available supporting materials.

Meet with our team

A conversation with a team member is required before work begins. During this consultation, we will discuss the initiative’s purpose, audiences, timing, desired results and alignment with university priorities.

What to bring to the initial conversation

You do not need to have a finished communication plan or a predetermined list of deliverables. To help us begin, bring as much of the following information as possible:

  • The opportunity, challenge or decision prompting the request.
  • The result you want to achieve.
  • The audiences you need to reach or engage.
  • The academic or university priority the work supports.
  • Important dates, milestones or deadlines.
  • Leaders and units that need to participate.
  • Background materials, research or audience insights.
  • Known accessibility, policy, legal or reputational considerations.
  • Available budget or resources, if applicable.

Our team will use this information to recommend the appropriate communication approach.

How we measure success

We define success according to the intended outcome of each partnership. Measures may include audience awareness, understanding, participation, action, sentiment, stakeholder alignment, reputation or progress toward an institutional objective.

Channel-level measures, such as email engagement, website activity and social media performance, can help us assess communications. However, these measures are most useful when considered alongside the broader result the initiative is intended to achieve.

We use available data and partner feedback to evaluate performance, identify opportunities and improve future communications. 

Partner with us

Strong communications are built through early collaboration, shared goals and clear strategic direction. Contact the OAA Marketing and Communications team when you begin planning an academic initiative, organizational change, leadership communication, campaign, event or other effort that supports the university’s academic mission.

Together, we can strengthen Ohio State’s academic voice, expand the reach of academic excellence and demonstrate the value of the university’s work.

Marketing and Communications Team