A Full-Scale Brand Reset
When I stepped into the role of Operations Manager at Reporter Magazine in May 2024, the publication was struggling. Readership was low, our website was outdated and unstable, and our social media platforms—Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube—hadn’t been touched in weeks. On top of that, we had only published four issues during the 2023–2024 academic year, with little to no promotion behind them. Reporter was meant to be a monthly publication, but it was losing relevance fast.
Overseeing our social media, IT, advertising/public relations, and distribution, I worked to reestablish our presence from the ground up. My focus was on rebuilding infrastructure, increasing visibility, and driving engagement across all platforms to bring Reporter back into the campus conversation.
A New Website
To bring Reporter into the digital age, we hired two new IT staffers and transitioned to a new web hosting platform, SNO. From there, we built a brand-new website interface designed to highlight not just our written articles, but all of our multimedia work—including YouTube videos, podcast episodes, and social media content.
We also added a fully interactive map showing the locations of our magazine stands across campus, making it easier than ever for readers to find and engage with our print editions.
Social Media and Promotion
For social media, we focused on promoting both our online articles—driving traffic to our website—and same-day campus events through real-time photography. Event coverage consistently outperformed other content in terms of engagement, making it a key part of our strategy to keep platforms timely and student-focused. In addition to digital promotion, we also leveraged other high-visibility channels on campus, including the giant screen in the Student Hall of Exploration, a high-traffic walkway where visual content reaches a broad cross-section of the RIT community. This multi-channel approach helped us expand our reach and reinforce awareness of both our publication and events in real time.
Bringing the Magazine to Campus
On the first Tuesday of each month, we table in the Student Alumni Union to distribute fresh issues, answer questions, and engage directly with our readers. These face-to-face interactions have helped build a reputation of openness, approachability, and trust among both students and faculty.
Credits
Project Manager: Emma Dooley
Distribution Manager: Trevor Krukin
Social Media Manger: Marissa Hura
It Mnagers: Jack Sherlock, Elijah Gallagher
AD/PR Manager:Alyssa Neff & Semse Fuller