11.09.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

Communications Planning begins

Our first meeting of the State COMM steering committee is Tuesday and I’m looking forward to working with everyone as we develop a strategic communications plan for NC State University.  Lots of work to do but before you know it, we’ll have a plan that makes sense for the university and for all the units within the university.  No, we probably won’t actually develop the unit plans (that would take too long) but we’ll have a framework everyone can work with.

As part of the communications plan, we’ll also focus on refining the North Carolina State University brand.  Who we are. What we stand for.  That kind of thing.  This will happen later in the process, but the work we do in the early stages will help us develop the understanding and awareness of who we are, in our eyes and in the eyes of our key audiences.  I plan to use a lot of the work we did at the University of Florida as thought starters and to provide ideas and direction.

When I was at Harley, a branding consultant walked us through a lengthy process on the way to understanding who we were.  You’d think it was easy.  Harley-Davidson.  Big, heavyweight American motorcycles with lots of chrome, and a unique sound.  Right!  Nope.  The process helped us focus on what/who we really were; a dream.  “We fulfill dreams through the experiences of motorcycling…”

As I’ve said throughout my career, I believe branding is an investment in the future; it is an investment in the company’s future ability to compete with other companies in the same industry for the consumer dollar.  On the higher education side, branding is the university’s future ability to compete effectively for students, faculty, staff, and funding. (more…)

11.06.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

Homecoming. A day of reflection.

Homecoming is a great time of year on the college campus; any college campus.  Alumni return with their families to re live the “good ole days” and renew old friendships. Students cheer on the home team.  The local merchants make a little extra before the holiday rush.  Colors abound. Even the trees get into the spirit.  The band marches.  The parade rolls on. The team plays. The cheerleaders cheer.  Go Wolfpack!

This is my first homecoming at NC State and I’m soaking up the atmosphere.  Red — my favorite color — is everywhere.  Bill Blass would be proud (When in doubt, wear red.)  And the weather is spectacular.  Caught  a little frost this morning, but a red sunrise gave way to a bright blue sky. A perfect weekend for homecoming.

While homecoming is usually all about us, Doc Hendley reminded us yesterday that it’s also about others.  His Wine to Water program has helped tens of thousands live a better life.  The CNN Heroes event yesterday drew hundreds to the (red) Brickyard yesterday and Doc urged us all to do something for others. Even something small. Check out some of the things students at NC State are doing everyday.  http://www.ncsu.edu/csleps/

In that spirit, and because in my mind the red jacket could symbolize NC State, check out this video from The Big Warm Up.  http://video.bigwarmup.com

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11.05.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

Homecoming and the passion is everywhere

Nothing like a good homecoming event to set your spirits high.  Today’s CNN Heroes event around Doc Hendley’s Wine to Water program was one such happenin’. The Chancellor, city council rep, mayor of Boone, students, and Doc all spoke and more than one choked up.  The passion welling up inside of them I’d say.

Mr Wuf, the NC State cheerleaders, marching band, half a dozen broadcast journalists, a dozen photographers, hundreds of students, faculty and staff all turned out.

Chancellor Woodward quoted German philosophy, Dr. Albert Schweitzer in describing Doc:  “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.  Doc Hendley has found how to serve.”  Indeed.  You go Doc. http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/hero-turns-wine-to-water/

No, it's not Geraldo, it's Albert

Hillsborough Street will host the 2009 Homecoming Parade on Friday! The street will close for the 6 p.m. parade and its lineup of NC State coaches and athletic teams, cheerleaders, the university dance team, The Power Sound of the South and other local bands, student-sponsored floats, vintage cars and more. Don’t miss the fun, spirit and giveaways!  And by all means, wear Red.

Immediately following the parade, hit the Pack Howl Pep Rally with Coach Tom O’Brien and football captains, the Power Sound of the South (that’s the band.  Wonder if they will march right over?), NC State cheerleaders, the dance team and Craziest Fan contestants.  The rally is at Lee Field, next to the baseball stadium.

Indie rock band Roman Candle will open for headline act CollegeHumor Live (the web site warns:  some material is not appropriate for people under 18).

So its Homecoming.  Have fun and this homecoming, as Dr. Schweitzer would suggest, let’s all do something wonderful, people may imitate it.

Passion Rules!

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11.04.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

State COMM Steering Committee — Heroes

The steering committee for the strategic communications planning process we’re about to embark upon is coming together nicely.  Of the more than 50 volunteers for the project, we’ve included 15 on the steering board plus me.  It is a great group with a big responsibility ahead of them:

1. Joe Hice (University Communications)
2. Jenny Weston (Engineering)
3. Stephanie Parker (Chancellor’s office)
4. Dee Shore and Mark Dearmon (CALS)
5. Dave Green (vetmed)
6. Kylie Cafiero (Education)
7. Mike  Giancola (Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service- CSLEPS)
8. Louis Hunt (Enrollment Mgmt.)
9. Kathy Hart (Alumni)
10. 10. Rob Stevenson (HR)
11. 11. Tim Peeler (Athletics)
12. 12. Melissa Johnson (Comm professor)
13. 13. Jo-Ann Robinson (Diversity)
14. 14. Kay Zimmerman (DELTA)
15. 15. Jay Dawkins (current student/former student body president)

Speaking of NC State heroes,  NC State Welcomes Home a ‘Hero’ Alum Thursday.

North Carolina State University will hold a rally to show support for Doc Hendley, a 2004 alumnus named one of 10 “CNN Heroes” and a finalist for this year’s CNN Hero of the Year award, at noon on Thursday, Nov. 5, on the Brickyard.

The event will include comments from Hendley, Chancellor James Woodward and Thomas Crowder, a member of Raleigh City Council.

Media coverage of the rally is invited. Call News Services at 515-8387 for information on parking near the Brickyard.

CNN Heroes are cited as “ordinary people having extraordinary impact.” Hendley is founder and executive director of “Wine to
Water,” an international faith-based organization that installs running water and sanitation systems in the neediest parts of the world.
Online voting for the Hero of the Year award runs through Nov. 19 on CNN’s Web site.

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11.03.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

Do too many Tweets interfere with the social experience

Now even the NC State Technician is getting into the Twitter discussion.  The writer implies that students today do tweet, but cautions that Twitter may do more to harm social interaction than help.

“Whether or not you’re a fan of Twitter, the important thing is to use online social networking as a complement to genuine human interaction rather than a replacement.”  Read all about it here.

http://www.technicianonline.com/features/too-many-tweets-interfere-with-social-experience-1.2047663

In other news, the university has exceeded it’s fund raising goal in the 2009 State Employees Combined Campaign!  NC State raised $538,667 this year, that’s up more than $18,000 from last year.  More than 7,700 employees participated in the campaign.

Thursday at Noon, NC State and CNN will recognize a local hero on the brickyard.  Doc Hendley, a 2004 graduate, will be recognized for his “Wine to Water” program.  To participate in the celebration come out to the brickyard and let CNN hear your pride.  http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/hero-turns-wine-to-water/

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11.02.09 | posted by Joe Hice |

The Twitter Question (continued) and Halloween on Hillsborough

Seems the folks here weren’t the only ones interested in the question of students using Twitter.  The Pew Internet Study that I referenced last week received so many questions and comments, Pew editor Susannah Fox was compelled to answer questions and provide more detail regarding the study, its methodology, and the results.  I’ve posted her response below.

On other matters, dressed as Johnny Cash — the man in black –  I toured Hillsborough Street on Halloween with Dave Rainer and his wife Wendy.  Other than the fact that I was easily the oldest one out there, I had a great time.  Even got carded as we entered the bowling alley.  Made Wendy’s night I think.  And Dave; the guy seems to know everyone on Hillsborough. Even got to visit the mobile operations center that was set up to monitor activities.

It was crowded, but I was impressed with the upbeat atmosphere.  Students were talking to everyone they passed and I think a good time was had by all.  From all appearances, the merchants along Hillsborough made out well and that’s a good thing.

Favorite costume of the night was H1N1; four girls dressed in pinkish flu outfits with little pig snouts and a letter on their chest (H-1-N-1.)  Very cute and original.  But you know what I didn’t see?  Wolves.  Not a single one.  Since there were no dogs, I have to post a shot of the youngest dog in the Hice pack, Redford the Pirate.  Not a wolf, but the best I could do on short notice.

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PEW INTERNET SURVEY Q&A

by Susannah Fox

Oct 23, 2009

Our report, Twitter and Status Updating, Fall 2009, has garnered a lot of attention, some of it focused on the question we use to measure this activity:

“Do you ever use Twitter or another service to share updates about yourself or to see updates about others?”

In the spirit of openness that characterizes our approach to research, we thought we’d share our answers to the questions asked over the last day or two. We also want to share some of our ideas for how to improve the measurement of status updates as an activity.

What do you mean by “another” service? We left it intentionally vague so that the respondent could answer yes if they use Yammer, or even if they change their Gmail status. We want to capture an activity, not just a brand. Since the first days of the Project our primary goal has been to measure general activity online, rather than particular services or applications.

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