FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF MARKETING & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IMPACT REPORT FY 2025-26
F LO R I DA I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y
In FY 2025–26, FIU’s Division of Marketing & Strategic Communications (MarCom) translated strategic focus and creative ambition into measurable impact. We set direction for FIU’s storytelling and branding. We aligned messages, protected the university’s voice, and guided units across the university toward a more cohesive institutional message. We strengthened internal partnerships, making measurable progress toward our goal of realizing a fully hybrid model of marketing and communications at FIU. Our goal is to strengthen the FIU brand through work that resonates. Articles that spark interest. Press releases that earn coverage. Campaigns that carry the message. Videos that capture the moment. Websites that expand our visibility across search engines and AI platforms. Designs that bring it all to life. Our work benefited from the expertise, context and connections contributed by researchers, subject-matter experts and communicators across FIU. We made significant strides, but we’re far from finished. Our sights are set on doing more, reaching further and achieving greater impact. Together, we are shaping how the world sees FIU.
01 10 16
Section I
Telling the FIU Story Section II
Building the FIU Brand Section III
Partnering Across FIU
SECTION I
TELLING THE FIU STORY Big ideas. Bold achievements. Stories worth sharing. We brought FIU’s momentum to wider audiences, turning breakthroughs into headlines and accomplishments into Panther pride. We shared our best stories across every platform, reinforcing institutional priorities and key messaging while commanding attention, strengthening our reputation and showing the world a university that refuses to stand still.
IMPACT REPORT 2026
1
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MEDIA RELATIONS EARNED MEDIA In FY 2025-26, FIU experienced high-impact coverage opportunities and bringing faculty expertise into
8K
consequential conversations, we expanded FIU’s
TOTAL MENTIONS
visibility and continued to strengthen our reputation as
(52% increase YOY)
across leading media outlets. By identifying timely
22B
TOTAL POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
a source of innovation, insight and real-world impact.
THE CONVERSATION The Conversation is an independent, nonprofit news
editorial relationships. The team identifies faculty expertise
organization that publishes articles written by academic
and research with publication potential, recruits experts
experts for general audiences. These articles are frequently
to address timely issues, and strategically aligns article
republished by news outlets nationwide, significantly extending opportunities with research press releases. Media Relations their reach. The platform also strengthens FIU’s digital visibility
also builds faculty awareness of the platform, advises
by making authoritative, expert-authored content available to
prospective authors, leverages AI to create article pitches
search engines and AI-powered discovery tools.
and cultivates strong relationships with editors.
Media Relations, working closely with Research
This coordinated approach contributed to a 160% increase
Communications, drove FIU’s significant growth on The
in published articles, from 20 to 52, expanding FIU’s
Conversation in FY 2025-26 through a proactive strategy
national reach and positioning faculty as authoritative
focused on faculty engagement, research storytelling and
voices in their fields.
1M
8.3B
52
$67M
READS ON THE CONVERSATION WEBSITE
POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
ARTICLES PUBLISHED
(accounts for news organizations republishing our articles)
(160% increase YOY)
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
(does not include additional reads on republished articles)
(17.79% increase YOY)
We amplified the national reach of FIU faculty through continued participation in The Academic Minute radio program, generating a 13.1% year-over-year increase in estimated publicity value. This effort is part of a broader Media Relations strategy to identify and share compelling research stories across multiple channels, including The Conversation, earned media and The Academic Minute. In January 2026, we held FIU’s latest Takeover Week, building upon this multi-year series and creating a memorable national platform to highlight researchers working across areas of strategic importance for FIU. The program airs on 70 stations across the United States and Canada with further amplification through Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
2
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
TOP 5 PERFORMING MEDIA STORIES TSPO (TRANSLOCATOR PROTEIN 18 KDA)
1
200
MENTIONS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
$19M
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
1.3B
POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
Market reach highlights: United States, Brazil, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany, United Kingdom, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, France, Australia
FLORIDA BEACHES OVERRUN BY SARGASSUM
2
$5.3M
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
370M POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
Media coverage highlights: CBS, ABC, NBC, Florida Trend, WLRN, Yahoo! News, AOL.com
CYBERSECURITY RESEARCHERS DEVELOP MIDFLIGHT DEFENSE AGAINST DRONE HIJACKING
3
$3.8M
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
379M POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
Media coverage highlights: Science Magazine, Forbes. com, MSN United States, MSN Italy, Investors Hangout, Yahoo! Finance
U.S. NEWS RANKINGS COVERAGE
4
183
FIU MENTIONS
$3.4M
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
173M POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
RESEARCHERS DEVELOP ADAPTED SWIM LESSONS THAT IMPROVE WATER SAFETY SKILLS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
5
167
FIU MENTIONS
$2.3M
ESTIMATED PUBLICITY VALUE
160M POTENTIAL AUDIENCE
Market reach highlights: United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Spain, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS FIU Research magazine brought the university’s spirit of discovery to life. Our annual publication showcased the faculty researchers, bold ideas and breakthrough innovations driving FIU’s growing research enterprise. The magazine transformed complex research into compelling stories that elevated FIU’s reputation and demonstrated the power of discovery to change lives. The companion online magazine offered exclusive content and videos that extended those stories beyond the page. We amplified FIU Research’s most powerful stories through paid editorial placements in Florida Trend and The Chronicle of Higher Education as well as digital ad campaigns, expanding FIU’s reach. The goal: increase reputational awareness, affinity and engagement across a broad spectrum of key constituent groups throughout Florida and the nation.
FIU RESEARCH
64 PAGES
10K
PRINT RUN
RESEARCH
Key audiences: Presidents, provosts, prospective students, policymakers, donors, journalists, partners
SPONSORED BY FIU RESEARCH
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
How the world’s only undersea research lab is charting a new course for ocean science.
FLORIDA TREND
20
PAGE INSERT
MSC_Florida Trend 20-page Insert 10056613995.indd 1
52,412
CIRCULATION: PRINT SUBSCRIBERS + DIGITAL PLATFORMS
1/27/26 9:14 AM
CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
32
PAGE INSERT
4
27K
CIRCULATION: PRINT SUBSCRIBERS
Key audiences: Presidents, provosts, vice presidents, chancellors, CFOs and directors
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Key audiences: C-suite executives, owners, managers, professionals, executive emeriti
FIU News expanded its reach through storytelling that resonated. Combining compelling editorial, photography and video, our coverage showcased the breadth of university life while maintaining a focus on institutional priorities and reputational strengths. Promotion across email, social media and paid channels amplified that work while a continued focus on search and AI discoverability helped position FIU content and expertise for audiences seeking authoritative information.
278K
1.7M
442
VIEWS
STORIES PUBLISHED
(Up 24% YOY)
(Up 45% YOY)
57.2M TOTAL IMPRESSIONS (number of times links to FIU News were shown to a user in search results)
“Modern readers refuse to consume content from top to bottom. Website visitors scan subheadings, jump through documents via anchor links, and hunt for specific answers while ignoring surrounding text. You produce exceptional content if readers pass the 75% vertical scroll mark.”
LOGGED INSTANCES WHERE USERS REACHED THE 90% VERTICAL SCROLL MARK FY 2025-26
— Andrii Romasiun, Swetrix, March 2026
FIU NEWS NEWSLETTER The FIU News email newsletter delivered the university’s top stories, student experiences, latest rankings, upcoming events and more to students, faculty/staff, alumni, policymakers, journalists and friends of FIU.
105,000
128
SUBSCRIBERS
ISSUES
295,352
50.6%
TOTAL CLICKS
HIGHEST OPEN RATE OF 2025-26
TOP-PERFORMING ARTICLES ON FIU NEWS SITE Taking it to heart
Alumna at Blue Origin
Puerto Rico
Healthy Sharks
Published February 2026
Published November 2025
Published July 2023
Published January 2025
56,250
41,000
1 m 50 sec
17,409
VIEWS
VIEWS
AVERAGE READ TIME
VIEWS
(significantly more than our average read time of 1:04 in FY 2025-26)
IMPACT REPORT 2026
5
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
EXECUTIVE & UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS One university. One clear voice. We sharpened FIU’s institutional messaging, delivered timely communications across the university and expanded the president’s digital reach among key audiences. Together, this work strengthened connection, advanced university priorities and ensured FIU’s leadership was heard when it mattered most.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Executive communications gave the president a clear, compelling voice for advancing FIU’s priorities and defining what the university stands for. Every message was an opportunity to reinforce key themes, inspire confidence and strengthen FIU’s reputation. Produced collaterals included speeches, remarks, talking points, interview prep materials and video scripts.
100+ PRODUCED ASSETS
50
INTERNAL MESSAGES
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Internal communications ran the gamut from Presidential messages, FIU Communications messages, invitations, emergency communications and messaging developed in collaboration with key university partners such as the Office of the Provost, the Division of Human Resources, and Parking and Transportation.
6
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
FOLLOWERS ACROSS ALL CHANNELS PRESIDENT’S SOCIAL MEDIA
As social media becomes an increasingly important channel for executive communications, the president’s presence continued to grow in FY 2025-26 across Instagram, X and Facebook. In 2026-27, the strategic focus is expanding the president’s presence on LinkedIn.
43,067 10,209 FOLLOWERS
6.87% GROWTH
5%
AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT RATE
9,060 FOLLOWERS
20.8% GROWTH
12%
AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT RATE
23,798 FOLLOWERS
4.15% GROWTH
Each platform reaches a distinct audience, creating opportunities to tailor content and emphasis while consistently advancing FIU’s achievements, priorities and leadership perspectives.
9%
AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT RATE
IMPACT REPORT 2026
7
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO Powerful imagery pulls us in, placing us in the moment. In FY 2025–26, our photographers and videographers followed FIU researchers deep into the Amazon and across Biscayne Bay. We explored university labs, bringing audiences closer to moments of discovery and the students and researchers who drive them. We marked history being made. We chronicled the electricity of academic journeys beginning and the collective joy of ones drawing to a close. We captured the intensity of our scholar-athletes and celebrated the passion of our Panthers. With every frame, our lenses showed us what it means to be a Panther.
167
VIDEO SHOOTS
143
PHOTO SHOOTS
Our images and videos were shared by media outlets locally, nationally and around the world.
8
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
SECTION II
BUILDING THE FIU BRAND A powerful brand doesn’t just draw attention. It stands for something. This past year, we brought FIU’s message and mission into sharper alignment, building energy around a university defined by ambition and opportunity. Our work gave audiences more than a name to recognize, it gave them something to believe in.
ENGAGEMENT IS UP ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS
10
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
SOCIAL MEDIA We met audiences where they were, giving them reasons to stop, engage and share. In FY 2025-26, FIU’s social media audiences grew as timely content turned university priorities into conversations and achievements into Panther pride. From research breakthroughs to defining student and alumni moments, our channels deepened our connection with our followers, ensuring that FIU was moving at the speed of the world around it.
825K+
FOLLOWERS ACROSS CHANNELS (6.3% increase YOY)
Instagram remained FIU’s most popular platform among younger audiences. Prospective and current students as well as young alumni connected strongly with stories celebrating Panther achievement, identity and pride, consistently driving high engagement. Research content extended that impact by connecting audiences to FIU News, where followers could explore the university’s latest discoveries in greater depth.
182K
FOLLOWERS
(8.7% increase YOY)
362
TOTAL POSTS
542,602 TOTAL ENGAGEMENT (26% increase YOY)
TOP-PERFORMING INSTAGRAM CONTENT Artemis II Crew Trained at Aquarius
#1 in Florida Wall Street Journal
85-year-old Graduate
1.5M
1.3M
670K
VIEWS
VIEWS
VIEWS
YouTube is the most widely used online platform in the United States, reaching 84% of adults and a majority of Americans across every age group. This year our two YouTube channels gained 1.1K subscribers and logged nearly 450K views.
YouTube Shorts
107% VIEWS YOY
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ADVERTISING AMPLIFYING FIU’S IMPACT Our team extended FIU’s reach locally and nationally through strategic advertising, amplifying stories tied to university priorities and reputational strengths. Through high-visibility campaigns across South Florida and key national markets, paid media carried FIU’s research, innovation and impact to peers and broader audiences – strengthening awareness of the work defining our university.
PRINT SPONSORED CONTENT
DIGITAL SPONSORED CONTENT
Miami Today
The Miami Herald Inside Higher Education Chronicle of Higher Education ResearchGate Florida Politics The Miami Herald News Service of Florida
Chronicle of Higher Education, 7 ads City Beautiful Magazine Dolphins/Panthers Yearbook Florida Trend, 8 ads Foreign Affairs
Miami Today Washington Monthly College Guide, 4 ads Florida Politics, 2 ads South Florida Business Journal, 3 ads
CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION PEER REPUTATION MARKETING CAMPAIGNS – September 2025-May 2026 Chronicle of Higher Education newsletter placements delivered millions of impressions across Academe Today, Afternoon Update, Daily Briefing, Weekly Briefing, Teaching and Chronicle Review. Our Chronicle eblast campaign ran from September 2025-May 2026, featuring five emails, each one different, each one containing strategic original content. The campaign confirmed that research-focused storytelling continues to drive meaningful engagement among academic decision-makers and peer institutions:
12
80K
36.8%
2.5%
EMAILS DELIVERED
AVERAGE OPEN RATE
AVERAGE CLICK THROUGH RATE
(Benchmark: 27.27%)
(Benchmark 0.79%)
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
AIRPORT ADS
RESEARCHGATE PEER REPUTATION MARKETING CAMPAIGN October 2025-March 2026 ResearchGate proved particularly valuable in reaching a research-intensive audience, complementing peer reputation efforts with Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed. It provided FIU with highly targeted exposure among researchers, faculty, graduate students and academic professionals. Across three discipline-focused campaigns – environment & resilience, engineering & computing, and architecture & design – FIU exceeded precampaign goals to a targeted research-oriented audience.
3M
4K
IMPRESSIONS
ENGAGEMENTS
INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION PEER REPUTATION MARKETING CAMPAIGN September 2025-May 2026 An Inside Higher Education eblast campaign ran from September 2025-April 2026, featuring four emails, each one different, each one containing strategic original content. Daily newsletter sponsorships generated substantial visibility among academic leaders. The eblasts generated exceptional engagement and substantially outperformed typical higher education email benchmarks:
80K
40.33%
EMAILS DELIVERED
AVERAGE OPEN RATE
TAKING THE FIU BRAND FARTHER FIU expanded its visibility through high-profile advertising in five airports, reaching travelers across South Florida and national markets including Philadelphia, New York, Columbus and Washington, D.C. These placements extended the FIU brand beyond traditional channels, putting our message in front of broad audiences on the move. In certain instances, airport placements coincided with specific events in the city that would draw the audiences FIU wanted to reach.
AIRPORT
Ronald Reagan Washington National
LaGuardia
Fort LauderdaleHollywood International
PA S S E N G E R S
24.8M
(68,200 daily x 52 weeks)
29.5M
(89,800 daily x 47 weeks)
29M
(88,200 daily x 47 weeks)
1.1M
Philadelphia International
(82,500 daily x 2 weeks)
John Glenn Columbus International
(25,000 daily x 4 weeks)
(Benchmark: 27.27%)
5.55%
700,000
AVERAGE CLICK THROUGH RATE (Benchmark 0.79%)
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS MIAMI MOMENTS. FIU PRESENCE. Miami is a global destination and an important stage for the FIU brand. Our presence at signature events including FIU’s own Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One and eMerge Americas put the university in front of influential local, national and international audiences, while pole banners across the community throughout the year reinforced our connection to the region we call home. Together, these high-visibility opportunities kept FIU prominent in the places and moments that put Miami in the spotlight.
SOBE
EMERGE
SoBe brought the university’s brand to national and international audiences, showcasing FIU’s leadership in hospitality and tourism education and its deep ties to Miami’s vibrant culinary community. The 2026 tent utilized a design originally created by our team several years ago.
Our presence at eMerge Americas put FIU’s brand in front of technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investigators, reinforcing the university’s role in Miami’s growing innovation economy. This year, our Aquarius activation was a highlight among exhibitors.
POLE BANNERS We strengthened FIU’s visibility across our campuses with 104 branded pole banners between our Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Engineering Campus and Biscayne Bay Campus, creating a cohesive presence and reinforcing Panther pride. 14
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS Beginning November 2025, FIU launched a series of digital campaigns across Meta and LinkedIn designed to strengthen the university’s brand and elevate its reputation as a leading Florida institution for transformational research. Focused on health, technology and environmental sustainability, the campaigns brought FIU’s research and expertise to targeted audiences through compelling, strategically placed content.
IN SEVEN MONTHS:
2.47M
269,542
226,536
PEOPLE REACHED ON META
PEOPLE REACHED ON LINKEDIN
CLICKS TO FIU WEBPAGES FEATURING RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHS
(Facebook, Instagram)
Environment/Oceans Campaign
Heart Research Campaign
The campaign’s top-performing content achieved an average 6.99% click-through rate (CTR), approximately four times higher than the typical Meta advertising benchmark, demonstrating strong audience engagement and creative execution. New campaigns in FY 2026-27 will continue to showcase FIU’s strengths and research impact. (Left) Special thanks to Vice Provost of Environmental Resilience and Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education Michael Heithaus. His memorable “tagging the whale” moment became one of the campaign’s most engaging and widely shared pieces of sponsored content.
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
SECTION III
PARTNERING ACROSS FIU Distinct goals. Shared purpose. We collaborated with partners across the university to sharpen their messages, expand their reach and advance their priorities. Bringing strategic insight and creative expertise to our collaborations, together we created work that stood out and strengthened FIU.
16
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS FIU.edu underwent a comprehensive design and brand update in FY 2025-26, positioning the university as a research-forward force preparing the next generation of innovators, problemsolvers and leaders. We strengthened universitywide digital governance through an updated Digital Communications Standards Policy, bringing greater structure and consistency to FIU’s web presence while improving search and AI indexability and reducing institutional risk. Close collaboration with leaders, communicators and content owners across FIU was essential to aligning each unit’s priorities with a cohesive university brand. Major milestones included redesigned websites for the College of Law, College of Engineering & Computing, and Honors College. These new websites increased engagement time on program pages and resulted in hundreds of thousands of Generative AI impressions, including impressions on unbranded keywords. New websites dramatically improved page load times, leading to better search and AI indexability. By the end of FY 2026–27, all college websites will operate on a unified, MarCom-supported platform.
FIU.EDU
4.4M VIEWS
400+
REGISTERED WEBSITES (consolidated dozens of websites as part of this process)
TRAINING SESSIONS
For the first time, our team offered both in-person and virtual support sessions for FIU’s universitywide network of web editors. Strong attendance demonstrated the need for this shared forum, which provided practical guidance, answered questions and helped keep editors aligned on standards, best practices and institutional priorities. Topics included: • • •
Understanding the Digital Communications Standards Policy Siteimprove: Hands-on Workshop Siteimprove: Basics Webinar
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ADMISSIONS We partnered with Undergraduate Admissions in FY 2025-26 to strengthen the FIU experience for prospective and admitted students, families, counselors and higher-education partners. Our work spanned recruitment, application, admission, yield and onboarding, bringing greater clarity and consistency to communications across print, direct mail, digital content, events and photography. Together, this work created a connected communications ecosystem, linking audiences, channels and touchpoints across the student journey, from initial interest through admission and enrollment. Applications and admissions increased year over year, reinforcing the value of this more seamless approach.
FTIC APPLICATIONS
38,051 FY 2025-26
ADMISSIONS
8.9% YOY
RECRUITMENT & APPLICATION Application growth was supported by a broad mix of recruitment communications designed to keep FIU visible, clarify next steps and encourage prospective students to complete their applications. The broader recruitment portfolio included long-form publications, visitor and tour materials, application resources, palm cards and audience-specific pieces tailored to key student populations. We also redesigned the Admissions homepage and other key application pages, creating a clearer, more intuitive path to applying to FIU.
STRATEGY
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
APPLY MAILER
REDESIGNED ADMISSIONS WEBSITE
CREATED CONSOLIDATED APPLY PAGE
TWO POSTCARD CAMPAIGNS
VIEWS
VIEWS
469K
18
MATERIALS
2.3M
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
337K
THE ADMITTED STUDENT EXPERIENCE The admitted-student experience was designed to extend the excitement of an FIU acceptance beyond the decision letter. For the first two rounds of decisions, mailed student kits paired essential next steps with branded materials that fostered a sense of belonging and Panther Pride. The experience continued across print and digital touchpoints, including student life, housing and Honors College content, as well as Class of 2030 and Welcome pages, extending the recruitment and yield journey online.
ONLINE CLASS OF 2030 & WELCOME PAGES
21K+ USERS
New, memorable experience for admitted FTIC students
ADMITTED STUDENT KITS
23,746 MAILED
ONLINE HONORS COLLEGE INVITE
780 USERS
Simplified the invitation to the Honors College
AUDIENCE-SPECIFIC ENGAGEMENT The college decision process involves more than students—and each audience needs something different. Our portfolio delivered tailored communications for prospective and admitted students, families, school counselors, Honors students, international and transfer students, and those pursuing other specialized pathways to FIU. Student Events & Yield: We supported student-facing events including Admitted Student Day and Summer Showcase, carrying FIU’s visual identity and admissions messaging from campaign communications into in-person engagement. For Summer Showcase alone, approximately 111,000 postcards extended outreach at scale. Event materials reinforced the excitement, clarity and connection established across print and digital touchpoints.
Counselor & Higher-Ed Partner Engagement: Our work extended beyond direct student recruitment to the professionals who influence and support the admissions process. For the SUS Tour, counselor guides, agendas, publications and branded materials equipped school counselors advising prospective students. ACAOPU engagement reached admissions directors and highereducation peers, strengthening relationships and extending FIU’s presence across the field.
A CURRENT VIEW OF FIU: Annual Admissions photography refreshes keep recruitment collaterals current and reflective of the student experience. Used across publications, digital communications, campaigns and events, this steady cadence of new imagery gives prospective students and families an authentic view of life at FIU.
IMPACT REPORT 2026
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ADVANCEMENT Philanthropy begins with a compelling vision of what is possible. We partnered with Advancement to bring that vision to life through strategic messaging, storytelling and creative support. Our work connected FIU’s priorities with opportunities for donors to make a meaningful difference, helping Advancement communicate the impact of giving and build support for FIU’s future.
Give Day: Our team provided content strategy support and asset feedback and approval loop with outside agency, which did the design and execution using assets MarCom created and/or captured. The collaboration culminated in a new Give Day fundraising record.
Aquarius Support Campaign: We created a video and companion print piece for this presidential fundraising priority. We produced an Aquarius activation, simulating an underwater environment at eMerge, and highlighted Aquarius on the front cover of our Florida Trend insert that was published during the legislative session.
Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center Naming Event: We partnered with Advancement to produce a premiere event video and graphic assets as well as secure media coverage, including providing our own video clips packaged specifically for media.
FIU Research: We collaborated with Advancement to send the FIU Research magazine to targeted donors along with a letter signed by the president urging support of the SOAR fund. This first-time effort resulted in two gifts to the university.
20
MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
UNIVERSITY INITIATIVES Throughout the year, MarCom served as a strategic and creative partner on high-profile university initiatives. From the football bowl game and the inaugural FIU Pig Roast Series to rankings campaigns and other university efforts, our team provided strategic direction, creative expertise and promotional support, helping ensure each initiative was distinctive in its execution yet unmistakably FIU.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Game Produced a bowl toolkit of graphics and messaging for entire university Supplied branded fan gear for the trip: • Crewneck sweatshirts • Battery packs • Plastic square signs • Cowboy hats
RANKINGS ASSETS FY 2025-26 U.S. News Best Colleges 2026 press release, ranking badges, communicator toolkit for campus units, presidential video, FIU News post, website updates, EMB, social post, paid social promotion
OTHER RANKINGS
• • • • •
U.S. News Graduate School Rankings press release, FIU News post, social posts and assets covering 23 program rankings across business, law, medicine, nursing, public affairs and health
Wall Street Journal press release, FIU News post and social assets. This ranking was also highlighted on the #1 Wall Street Journal Fall Excellence billboard campaign and included a digital ad with the Miami Herald
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings: release, FIU News post, social coverage Time Magazine Top 30 Public University: press release, FIU News post, social asset #1 in Performance Funding, 5th Year In A Row: social and internal communications Niche: carousel for social College-specific: A U.S. News voter email template for Law and a No. 7 in the U.S. EMB for Business
Inaugural FIU Pig Roast Series
This was our largest single event activation of the year: 45 items, including roughly 30 completed creative deliverables including:
Branding: logo, rebranded sponsorship deck, landing page, Eventbrite graphics, electronic message board (EMB) Promotion: save-the-date, email invite, digital flyer, social assets, paid social campaign, host committee and kickoff meeting flyers, FIU News coverage Event materials: team entry form, judges’ form, badges and panel,
performer flyer, main stage and truss banners, banner signs, draft pick and tent signs, parking A-frames, step-andrepeat, standing Roary cutout, cozies, T-shirts, MarCom tent décor Multimedia: photo and video event coverage, sponsor recap video, promo videos with President Jeanette Nuñez and sponsors
TOGETHER, OUR EFFORTS HELPED SHAPE HOW THE WORLD SEES FIU.
marcomm.fiu.edu 10/2026_12788985784