Florida Universities Launch #ThinkFlorida

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Campaign promotes state universities & economic growth

When it comes to innovation and economic development, Think Florida.

That’s the message behind a new social media marketing campaign, established by the State University System of Florida, launching tomorrow (Jan. 20). During the 14-week program, set to conclude April 22, each of the state’s 12 public universities will develop its own unique content.

“Think Florida: A higher degree for business,” introduced last fall, is designed to more closely bind the University System and Florida businesses, with the goal of better connecting students and potential employers. The campaign promotes the skilled graduates, research capabilities and partnership opportunities offered by state universities. Other participants include Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and assorted business organizations.

Florida universities joining the pro-business effort are:

  • Florida A&M University (Tallahassee)
  • Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton)
  • Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers)
  • Florida International University (Miami)
  • Florida Polytechnic University (Lakeland)
  • Florida State University (Tallahassee)
  • New College of Florida (Sarasota)
  • University of Central Florida (Orlando)
  • University of Florida (Gainesville)
  • University of North Florida (Jacksonville)
  • University of South Florida (Tampa)
  • University of West Florida (Pensacola)

Two separate plans are being developed for content.  One will be utilized by the university system’s Board of Governors’ social media accounts (@FLBOG), while the other will be for the individual institutions to use as a model.

Florida_Board_of_Governors_logoEach institution has its own set of social media challenges and goals to achieve, and each will have its own week in the spotlight. Florida A&M kicks thing off next week (Jan. 25-31), and the University of West Florida will be the final school in the queue, the week of April 11. The week of April 18 will be devoted to highlights of the campaign.  Florida State will be the week of Feb. 29, UCF the week of March 7, UF the week of March 21 and USF the week of April 4.

Universities are encouraged to share local business success stories while engaging local chambers of commerce and economic development agencies. All efforts will be shared with the Board of Governors for further social media exposure.

Schools will seek to engage local chambers of commerce and economic development agencies, share success stories from local businesses (targeting those who are on social media in tweets) and provide testimonials about successful school-business partnerships.

By encouraging use of the #ThinkFlorida hashtag and driving people to a new website, the social campaign is expected to ramp up the dialogue between universities and businesses and ultimately lead to greater employment opportunities for graduates of the state university system.

So Think Florida and let the social messaging games begin.