David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Print and Digital Publishing: Internal Audience
Gold
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA launched a pilot project utilizing branded team workspaces within the email and newsletter marketing platform, Publicate, to unify internal communications and strengthen brand consistency. Recognizing the challenges of communication fatigue and inconsistent messaging across departments, the initiative provides staff with accessible tools, templates, and resources aligned with the school's brand identity. By empowering staff and administrators with user-friendly resources, the project aims to reduce email clutter, enhance the visual appeal of communications, and ensure inclusivity and accessibility for individuals of all skill levels.
During the beta phase with the Office of Student Affairs, the project achieved 100% adoption and received positive feedback on ease of use and effectiveness. The templates include accessibility standards and feature diverse imagery representing education, research, community, and patient care, promoting equity and inclusivity.
The innovative approach decentralizes the creation of branded communications while maintaining centralized control over brand assets, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. By focusing on scalability and resource efficiency, the project offers a sustainable model that can be replicated across the organization and adapted by other institutions facing similar challenges in higher education communications.
What was the most impactful part of your entry?
One of the most impactful outcomes of our project was the revitalization of our weekly DGSOM Digest, the primary internal communication sent to all faculty, students, and staff at the David Geffen School of Medicine. By leveraging the newly developed newsletter template, we transformed a previously dull email with a long, monotonous list of links into a vibrant and engaging newsletter. The refreshed Digest now highlights important events, opportunities, and stories that support community building and professional development. This transformation has not only enhanced the visual appeal but also significantly increased readership and engagement, fostering a stronger sense of connection within our school community.
What challenge did you overcome?
A primary challenge was developing a pilot program that was platform-agnostic. Anticipating potential future changes in email and newsletter marketing platforms, creating a model flexible enough to sustain such transitions without losing functionality or requiring extensive redevelopment was crucial. The goal was to ensure longevity and adaptability so that the resources, training, and templates would remain relevant regardless of the underlying technology.
Contact:
Regina Ip
rip@mednet.ucla.edu