Student-athletes on Snapchat and a Spotify playlist for future Redbirds were among the big winners at Illinois State University’s 2nd annual #RedbirdProud Social Media Awards.
The awards were announced Tuesday, April 18, during an annual social media workshop hosted by University Marketing and Communications at the Alumni Center. The awards recognize the best uses of social media at Illinois State by faculty and staff representing their units, spread across five categories. Thirty-one nominations were submitted for work created during the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters.
“I’m very excited to see so many nominations for this year’s Social Media Awards,” said Brian Beam, executive director of University Marketing and Communications. “There is so much compelling content being created throughout Illinois State that it was extremely difficult to choose winners this year. So many areas are bringing their A game by investing more time and resources into social media.”
Beam challenged staff and faculty throughout campus to friend, follow, and like this year’s winners.
“Sharing the latest and greatest posts and news about Illinois State with your personal networks is a great way to show your pride for our university and support your favorite areas,” Beam said.
The winners of the 2016 #RedbirdProud Social Media Awards are below. To follow these units, visit Illinois State’s Social Media Directory.
Tommy Navickas, left, from the College of Education accepts his #RedbirdProud Social Media Award.
Best overall use of social media (academic unit): College of Education
Honorable mentions: Honors Program, School of Communication, School of Art
“The College of Education is a model for consistency and professionalism with how it reaches its constituents on social media. COE digs deep to share not just its own content, but also content from across the University and the rest of the web. It knows its audience and what they want to see. In particular, its hand-crafted Twitter content is one of the best-run accounts on campus.”
Best overall use of social media (non-academic unit): Office of Admissions
Honorable mention: Dr. Jo Ann Rayfield Archives, Campus Recreation
“Admissions excels at telling the ISU story in a way that resonates with its audiences—prospective students and their families. They’re always willing to try something new, such as BuzzFeed listicles or a Snapchat tour of a campus landmark. Admissions makes the most out of its student interns and ambassadors. And while they do a good job of reaching large audiences, Admissions is perhaps best at building 1-on-1 relationships with #FutureRedbirds on Twitter and other channels.”
Zach Schroeder from Athletics, left, accepts his #RedbirdProud Social Media Award.
Best new account: Red Alert on Snapchat
Honorable mention: Family and Consumer Sciences (Instagram)
“Red Alert is a social media leader because it uses an emerging platform (Snapchat) to achieve a strategic goal—building connections between students and ISU’s student-athletes. Through student-athlete Snapchat ‘takeovers,’ Red Alert’s friends get to know our Redbirds on and off the field/court. Their Snapchat also provides top-notch game day content for friends following from home.”
Kara Pool Snyder from the College of Applied Science and Technology, left, accepts her #RedbirdProud Social Media Award.
Most improved social media: College of Applied Science and Technology
Honorable mention: Bone Student Center, Family and Consumer Sciences, Leadership and Community Connections (Dean of Students Office)
“The College of Applied Science and Technology was already doing a good job on social media, but this year CAST took it up a notch—or several notches. CAST faces a unique challenge, in that its students and alumni come from disparate backgrounds (agriculture or computer science, criminal justice or fashion design), making it a somewhat disjointed audience. But aggressive and smart content has humanized the college and its people. That includes the recurring features #AskAProfessor, Day in the Life of a CAST Alum, and RSO spotlights, to name a few.”
Most innovative use of social media: Admissions on Spotify
Honorable mention: College of Business 5Q Thursday, CAST #AskAProfessor videos, Admissions on BuzzFeed
“The Admissions Spotify is a new and innovative way of reaching prospective students—through music. Admissions uses several different playlists, such as “I Got In” and “Road Trip to ISU,” to connect with its unique audience. This is totally out-of-the-box thinking and a perfect example of social innovation.”
Questions? Contact Ryan Denham, UMC’s online communications coordinator.
