UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DUAL ASSURANCE, 20 October 2009
Present:
Professor Mark Overton (Management Lead), Peter Lacey (Lay Lead), Stuart
Franklin (Coordinator), Charlotte Blackwell (Secretary)
Progress against current Action Plan:
1. UUK
SDF reported he had been working with UUK to help improve the comms support
provided to their new President.
2. Stakeholder Database
SDF reported that a new database had been developed for recording stakeholder
information. The system had been designed to be more user-friendly than the
previous database, and to be able to record different levels of engagement. It was
hoped this would systemise current processes in order that people would not ‘fall
through the cracks’, and that stakeholders were given the appropriate amount of time
and attention. SDF noted that the database would have limited edit access and would
also be used for market research purposes. The system was named PAC and was
due to be launched very soon.
3. Corporate Responsibility
SDF reported that he planned to continue to build on the success already achieved in
this area; all were in agreement that green issues in particular should continue to
feature as a top priority.
4. Capital Programme Communications
SDF reported that a new Communications Officer had been employed in June
specifically to deal with the capital programme. SDF also reported that capital
programme web pages had been set up and a new newsletter entitled ‘Building News
in Brief’ was regularly being sent to all staff and students in order to keep everyone
up to date. It was agreed that any relevant emails would be sent to PL by SDF. It was
also agreed for SDF to revisit the possibility of getting regular information regarding
the programme into the Express and Echo newspaper.
Action: SDF
5. Branding
SDF defined the term ‘brand’ as a series of key messages aimed at a variety of
audiences which include a tone or brand personality, as well as a visual identity.
SDF reported that a new sub-brand was being developed for Cornwall.
SDF reported that the conversion of the web site into the new design would be
completed within a year. The Web Team had converted the main pages and set the
standard for the rest of the pages. SDF noted that to aid the conversion and provide
consistency it would be helpful to have Web Marketing Officers in all schools and
services, but this was not possible within the current budget. SDF noted that the Web
Team hold weekly editorial meetings thus ensuring there is due process for reviewing
content.
SDF reported that he was currently aiding the new Director of International Exeter,
Shaun Curtis, with international strategy branding. SDF confirmed that it had been
decided not to develop a sub-brand for international markets in order to retain
consistency. SDF reported that he hoped to travel to India in 2010 and would be
investigating the possibility of employing a PR agency whilst there, with a view to
possibly having an agency in each country in the near future.
It was agreed that the concept of communicating with students via social media
needed proper research and a thorough plan of action before being put into practice.
SDF reported that his team were helping to support the Arts & Culture Strategy by
developing and maintaining its web pages and organising its events. He noted
however, that the strategy’s impact was bound to be limited due to its limited
resources. PL noted that the initiative would benefit from developing links with
external organisations with similar good ideas but limited resources.
6. AOB
It was discussed that the action plan could be presented in more detail.
Action: SDF
It was agreed PL would report the outcome of the current meeting to Council in order
to show that progress was being made in line with University strategy.
Action: PL