This is the first in a series of spotlights on a specific Cedarville University department. We hope you will enjoy learning a little bit more about the people and function of those who serve along side you here at Cedarville.
On August 1st of this year, the External Relations and Public Relations departments combined to form Marketing Services. The primary purpose of this merger is to bring together several of the key marketing and communication functions of the University and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the University's overall marketing efforts. Janice Supplee, Director of Marketing Services, shared her enthusiasm for this merger in a recent discussion with Pulse.
Pulse: Janice, will you share with CU staff your vision for this newly-formed department?
Janice: It is very exciting to now have many of the University's marketing functions in one department together. It allows us to communicate in a new, more integrated and coordinated way with the public. As Dr. Brown and other CU leaders have indicated, Cedarville is poised to take off in so many areas: academically and organizationally. The formation of the Marketing Services department provides an opportunity to take marketing to a whole new level on campus and provide greater exposure for the University.
Pulse: What impact do you believe this will have on the University as a whole?
Janice: With the merger of Public Relations and External Relations, we can now provide "one-stop shopping" for a number of marketing related functions. This will result in a much easier flow of communication. Both the left hand and the right hand will know what is going on!
Pulse: Dr. Brown has encouraged us as a University family to work as a team and model a spirit of servanthood. Can you share some examples of these concepts in practice in the Marketing Services Department?
Janice: Marketing Services is officially organized as four teams with a team leader for each area. Each team leader is charged with facilitating an environment that encourages interaction and communication, fosters creativity and shared decision-making, and maximizes the value, commitment and productivity of each team member.
My philosophy is to ensure that each staff member in this department understands their value to the team; that we wouldn't operate as effectively without each individual. In addition, I hope that everyone who interacts with a Marketing Services staff member will be reassured that we are there to serve them and we want to meet their needs!
Pulse: Many of us on campus only have a general idea about the function of different departments. Would you share some little-known facts about your department?
Janice: Sure. People may not know, for instance, that the Church & School Relations team schedules weekend and weekend tours for the Music & Art Department's ensembles (men's glee club, jazz band, etc) in churches and schools. This team is also responsible for packing a briefcase of information for Dr. Brown and Dr. Dixon each weekend that they travel.
Some staff may see the large, yellow banners out by the road on their drive into work and not realize that the Conference & Event Services team is responsible for hanging that signage. And, did you know that Creative Services handles staff business card requests and is the team responsible for the new Cedarville "look" which is featured on all written promotional materials and mirrored on the University website?
Another little known fact is that every time a student has a recital or is honored in some way, the Public Relations team sends a news release to that person's hometown paper acknowledging their success.
Pulse: We also want to give you a public forum to affirm your workers ... what would you like to share about the Marketing Services staff?
Janice: I work with a very loyal and dedicated group of people. They are creative and fun to work with. Right now, I'd have to say that the entire Marketing Services staff is very flexible. This merger has resulted in a lot of change for the University and for the Marketing Services staff as individuals, and we are still in the middle of the changes. Everyone has been a great support and embraced the changes as we've moved ahead step by step.
Pulse: Any final thoughts you wish to share with CU staff?
Janice: Please don't hesitate to call us with questions. I can be reached at x7808, or you can call one of the team phone numbers listed in the new phone directory.
Pulse: Thanks so much, Janice, for spending time with us today!