Social Media and Strategic Communications: Forming a New Partnership in a New Medium

With the recent explosion of social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, IT professionals often find themselves in the middle of communications discussions. The current funding climate has also pushed many existing print communications into the electronic realm. Making the most of these transitions requires IT professionals to work closely with others throughout the organization to lead the organization forward in a complex environment, collaborating with many different disciplines. The University of Florida has recently undertaken a strategic communications planning process that included a substantial focus on online, electronic, and social media. This presentation provides an overview of the process, lessons learned and future directions.