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Bridging the Gap with Marketing Expertise for the University of Suffolk Students' Union

  • Writer: Naomi Strudley
    Naomi Strudley
  • Nov 19, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 22

Naomi with the SU team before Freshers Week began

Challenge


The University of Suffolk’s Students’ Union (UOS SU) faced a critical challenge during the summer of 2024. With their communications and marketing manager leaving and the leadership team undergoing a transition, the Ipswich based SU was under pressure to ensure the seamless delivery of its largest campaign of the year.


Freshers Week is a pivotal event in any university’s calendar, setting the tone for students’ experience as they embark on their academic journey. For the University of Suffolk's SU, the stakes were high, not only to provide a warm welcome to new and returning students, but also to maintain their reputation as a key support system for the student community.


To overcome these challenges, the SU sought an local, Ipswich based communications and marketing consultant who could step in quickly and provide marketing expertise and strategic support during this pivotal period.

 

Solution


The CEO of the University of Suffolk’s Students’ Union approached Naomi Kate PR at the beginning of the summer to provide consultancy services during this transitional period. Leveraging my extensive expertise in communications, PR management, and event coordination, as well as my unique insight as a former UOS student, I was able to embed myself into the team and navigate this challenging period by:


  • Integrating myself into the team quickly, bringing confidence and adaptability to a high pressure environment.

  • Taking ownership of the Freshers Week campaigns, managing marketing materials, timelines and stakeholder communications.

  • Proactively identifying additional opportunities to enhance campaign reach and effectiveness, ensuring no element was overlooked.

  • Delivering evidence-based solutions and reports, offering actionable insights for improving next year’s events.

  • Developing a handover plan for the incoming permanent member of staff, ensuring continuity for future campaigns.

 

Results


Through a strategic, hands-on approach, Naomi Kate PR helped UOS SU to achieve:

  • An impactful Freshers Week campaign: Almost every event was sold out ensuring an exciting and memorable experience for students while raising awareness of how the SU supports its community.

  • Significant growth in social media performance: By creating engaging, student-focused content, I helped drive substantial increases in followers, post interactions, and impressions across the SU’s social media channels, amplifying their digital presence during this crucial campaign period.

  • Strengthened internal processes: I worked closely with the team to suggest new approaches that would help improve the teams coordination and communication moving forward.

  • Successful navigation of organisational challenges: By providing a fresh perspective, I supported the team in delivering a well-attended and highly organised Freshers Week despite the transitional period.

 

Naomi with the SU team at one of the Freshers Week events

What the CEO said:


“Naomi joined us at a critical time, just as I was stepping into my leadership role, with our team short-staffed and the year’s largest campaign fast approaching. She brought with her an impressive blend of confidence, adaptability, and deep expertise, quickly embedding herself as a valued member of the team.


Naomi not only met our brief but also proactively identified areas we hadn’t planned for, seizing new opportunities that enhanced our campaign’s reach and effectiveness.

Her profound knowledge in internal and external communications, PR management, and event coordination provided a solid foundation that enabled us to pursue ambitious goals, even amidst significant organisational challenges. Naomi expertly navigated our complex organisational structure and competing demands, delivering insightful reports and evidence-based solutions that exceeded our expectations.


Her attention to detail and commitment ensured a seamless transition for our new permanent team member. I would highly recommend Naomi’s consultancy services. She became part of our team exactly when we needed her, and her fresh perspective encouraged us to improve our approach and processes. She would be an asset to any organisation looking for a knowledgeable, solution-driven professional."


Dionne Walton, CEO of University of Suffolk’s Students’ Union


 

Conclusion


Naomi Kate PR’s consultancy services proved invaluable for the University of Suffolk’s Students’ Union during a critical time. By stepping in with confidence and expertise, I ensured the successful delivery of high-impact campaigns while leaving a lasting impact on organisational processes and team effectiveness.


If your East Anglian based business needs a solution-drive communications and marketing professional, Naomi Kate PR can seamlessly integrate into your team and help drive your business forward.

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