UM Launches Branding Research – Public Invited To Participate, 1/31- 2/1, Missoula

Get ready, University of Montana. MOM is coming to visit.

MOM stands for Mind Over Media, the Pittsburgh-based consulting firm the University hired to assist with strengthening and enhancing UM’s marketing and communication efforts through development of a brand strategy. MOM was selected for the job last fall after a national search conducted by UM’s 20-member Brand Strategy Task Force.

The company will host what it’s calling a "Campus Invasion" on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, to begin the process of determining UM’s strengths and distinctive characteristics. Meetings and working sessions will invite input from students, UM employees and the public. Everyone is encouraged to participate.

"Everyone has their own perspective on what sets UM apart, so the more people who participate, the better," said Beth Hammock, co-chair of the Brand Strategy Task Force. "The input we receive in the next couple of months will form the basis of the development of key messages for the University.

"In the end, we would like all members of the campus community to be able to speak succinctly about UM’s strengths and serve as brand ambassadors," Hammock said.

MOM will conduct a series of focused information gathering sessions both days with various campus constituents. Members of the public are invited to attend one of two interactive working sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the University Center North Ballroom. Interactive Working Session I will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., and Interactive Working Session II will be from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Campus officials hope for a big turnout from the community.

"The University has so many strong characteristics," UM President Royce Engstrom said, "but we have not had deliberate discussions about what those characteristics are and how we can use them to shape a message that is exciting, powerful and really communicates UM’s strengths as a whole. This process will change that."

In addition to speaking with people in person, MOM’s research team will send an electronic survey and conduct Web-based focus groups.

A full schedule of MOM’s Campus Invasion follows. The MOM staff will gather data using two teams, which accounts for concurrent times.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

8-8:30 a.m. – Morning kick-off with Brand Strategy Task Force Core Team (Main Hall 109)

8:45-9:45 a.m. – Royce Engstrom, president (Main Hall 109)

9:50-10:30 a.m. – Academic officers meeting (Main Hall 004)

10-11 a.m. – Faculty Group 1 (Mansfield Library Theta Rho Room)

11:15 a.m-12:15 p.m. – Faculty Group 2 (Theta Rho Room)

11:15 a.m-12:15 p.m. – Teresa Branch, vice president for student affairs (Main Hall 022)

1:45-2:45 p.m. – Jim Foley, vice president for external relations (Main Hall 109)

1:45-2:45 p.m. – Athletics marketing team (Theta Rho Room)

3-4 p.m. – Campus tour

4:15-5:15 p.m. – Student affairs directors and admissions team (Theta Rho Room)

Wednesday, Feb. 1

7:30-8:30 a.m. – Breakfast with community leaders (University Center 330)

8:45-9:45 a.m. – Campus administrators (Theta Rho Room)

8:45-9:45 a.m. – Staff Group 1 (UC 329)

10-11 a.m. – Student Group 1 (UC 329)

10-11 a.m. – President’s cabinet meeting (Main Hall 004)

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Staff Group 2 (UC 329 – Alumni Boardroom)

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Laura Brehm, president/CEO, UM Foundation (Brantly Hall 102)

1:45-2:45 p.m. – Perry Brown, provost/VP for academic affairs (Main Hall 126)

1:45-2:45 p.m. – Student Group 2 (UC 329 – Alumni Boardroom)

3-4 p.m. – Interactive Working Session I (UC North Ballroom)

4:15-5:15 p.m. – Interactive Working Session II (UC North Ballroom)

5:30-6:30 p.m. – Brand Strategy Task Force (UC 329)

Contact: Beth Hammock, UM Foundation vice president for strategic communications and marketing, 406-243-4609