The University’s Office of Public Affairs launched its new image campaign Jan. 30 with a two-day celebration in the Union’s Cotillion Ballroom.
Public Affairs spearheaded the campaign that includes print and television advertisements and billboards, all meant to convey a new and updated image for the University.
Students and faculty have the opportunity to see what the campaign entails today. Public Affairs representatives and University Ambassadors distributed free T-shirts, buttons, posters and refreshments and showed some of the new advertisements and ideas created by Public Affairs.
Jewel Hampton, designer for Public Affairs, said the campaign focuses on the University’s image.
The campaign’s theme is “Welcome to the Now.”
Hampton, part of Public Affairs’ five-person design team, said the idea of the campaign is to show what is happening at the University “during each moment.”
Kristine Calongne, director of media relations for Public Affairs, said the campaign will show all of the new events and activities going on at the University and how LSU is dealing with athletics, academics and research.
Although Hurricane Katrina put the University in the national spotlight, Calongne said the campaign will show some of the opportunities the University offers.
Calongne said the campaign took the collaboration of the entire Public Affairs staff.
“Many people worked together to make a unified look and feel for the campaign,” Calongne said.
Public Affairs is using several forms of media to spread its message.
Calongne said several print advertisements have already been released including an advertisement in Continental Airlines’ in-flight magazine. The money for these print advertisements came from private funding, Calongne said.
Michael Ruffner, vice chancellor for Communications and Public Relations, stressed in a news release the importance of an effective visual image.
“A strong visual identity program combined with effective communications outreach garners attention and recognition,” Ruffner’s release said. “Heightened visibility improves both awareness and knowledge, all resulting in favorable increases across the board for LSU.”
The “Welcome to the Now” campaign began in July with Ruffner’s arrival to the University.
“The campaign will let the whole nation know what LSU is,” Calongne said.
Calongne said Ruffner wanted to get the University on the map nationwide early during his time at the University.
“This is an ideal time to introduce LSU to national audiences as a competitive university while reminding Louisiana residents of the outstanding resources available to them through LSU,” Ruffner said.
Changes can already be seen in the University’s Web site. The campaign created an updated version of the University’s Web site on Jan. 17.
The Office of Public Affairs also teamed up with a local Baton Rouge band, The Terms.
“I hope the band makes students feel the energy of what is happening at LSU now,” Calogne said.
The Terms is a band with strong ties to the University with one University graduate, one former University student and three current University students.
The band created an original song for the campaign titled “Welcome to the Now, ‘Evo Devo.'”
Calogne said Public Affairs approached the band and asked for their help, and the band created a song using the campaign’s central slogan.
The Terms will be shooting their music video for the song between noon and 3 p.m. Thursday in the Union Theater. The band is looking for students to take part in the music video and will allow the first 200 students to participate.
The Tiger Band and the choir will also be featured in the video. Students looking for more information can go to the Union Ballroom today at 11a.m. Public Affairs hopes to reinvent image
 
Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]