Public Relations & Communications
Led by the Manager Public Relations (PR) and Communications, the Unit leads the implementation of USP’s robust Communications Strategy and Plan across its 12 member countries. Its core function is to promote the University through contextualised PR plans and implement the University’s internal and external communications ensuring consistent and clear communication in alignment with USP’s mission and values. Its other functions include coordinating media interviews, briefings and PR campaigns; developing communication practices, and overseeing a wide range of communication activities. The Unit prepares and issues statements, articles, and reports to a variety of media outlets in the region, including online, print, television, and radio. It carries out regular media monitoring to safeguard the University’s reputation. The Communications Unit is a sub-unit within the Division of Marketing and Communications based at the Laucala Campus.
What We Do
The Communications Unit is tasked with the implementation of the University’s Communications Strategy and Plan which seeks to develop and deliver strong, differentiated and unified message which can be rolled out University-wide across both online and offline materials which will support the USP Brand development. It is also responsible for developing communication practices and use of professional communication materials and modes to engage with both staff and students of the University at all levels.
The Unit is responsible for producing and disseminating high quality, targeted and impactful collateral both online and in printed version to the University community to ensure timely distribution of news and information on developments within USP in an accessible, transparent and accountable manner. These include The Conch, a USP Newsletter, UniNews, and regular press releases.
Coordinating media briefings and Public Relations (PR) campaigns is another key responsibility of the Unit to ensure that the University reliably notifies, shares, persuades and engages major external and internal stakeholders in the affairs of the University. Another core function is to gather information on all the events and activities at the University and then share this information with the widest possible audience, provide technical advice to other faculties, schools, sections and regional campuses of the University relating to the format and content of publications, and the continuous improvement to all USP promotional materials.
The Communications Unit is also responsible for controlling the tukutuku email service or All Staff/All Student emails which are unsolicited emails sent out to large quantity of recipients for the purpose of information dissemination and communication. The All Staff/All Student email distribution lists contain the email addresses of all currently registered University staff members and students respectively. This service is guided by the All Staff/All Student Email Distribution Policy (Policy Number: 10.01.2).
The Unit is also responsible for regular media monitoring to ensure that any news, information and content about the University is in accurate context and to keep on top of publicity, trends and to generally manage the reputation of the University in the media and public arena.