The Office of the Vice President for Communications media and public relations teams are dedicated to promoting and protecting the image of U-M and demonstrating its tremendous value to the state of Michigan and the world.
We cultivate U-M’s media presence, build relationships with media and manage the university’s media and public relations procedures and processes. We also identify, write and pitch the compelling stories that capture the unique character, events and accomplishments of U-M.
News Releases, Media Outreach, TV Studio and News Clips
The OVPC news group uses multiple methods and platforms for storytelling including news release distribution, social media engagement and multimedia production. An emphasis on global news outreach includes the translation of news releases into four languages and shared with international media along with engagement on social platforms including China’s Weibo. We promote U-M experts on relevant topics of the day and offer a satellite uplink studio for live or taped interviews by broadcast media networks.
As a result of this work, U-M is featured and shared with millions of people by all forms of media, including mainstream national news outlets and influential bloggers. These clips are tracked and edited to share with the campus community through a daily clip service offered through the OVPC.
Our team also works closely with communicators within the schools and colleges and many other units. We encourage unit communicators to bring story ideas to our attention that align with U-M’s brand and strategic focus areas.
Media Relations Training
We provide media training to faculty and administrators and specific guidance on proven techniques to do a successful and effective interview.
Public Relations/Communication Planning
The OVPC can also help develop public relations/communication plans to ensure projects are comprehensive and their success is measurable. Our team works closely with units to develop strategies for delivering effective and timely communications to internal and external audiences.
Crisis Communication and Issues Management
When a crisis arises at U-M, the Public Affairs group is a crucial part of the response team. Public Affairs is the official conduit for accurate and timely information to the media and public, while serving as a buffer to allow other members of the response team to perform their duties. In crisis response planning and preparation, this team provides expert advice for improving communications performance.
The Public Affairs team also is continuously scanning for emerging issues in order to be ready to develop, implement and evaluate strategies to ensure that the right messages are communicated to the right audiences both internally and externally.
Internal Communications
The University Record, online daily and in print weekly, keeps faculty and staff informed about what is happening across campus and throughout higher education. The Record serves as the official campus news source and as a place to share information with the broader U-M community. The Record highlights the work of faculty and staff on the Ann Arbor campus as well as the campuses in Flint and Dearborn. The daily Record email delivers the latest campus news to your email inbox.
Contacts:
Michigan News
734-764-7260 or michigannews@umich.edu.
Public Affairs
734-936-5190 or public.affairs@umich.edu.
The University Record
734-764-0105 or urecord@umich.edu.