Master's in Strategic Communication and Leadership

How to Be a Storyteller in Digital Media and Advertising

The art of storytelling has been used throughout human history to entertain, inspire, and persuade. Village orations, fireside chats, radio broadcasts, and television are just a few examples of how entrenched communication is in our society — and how storytelling has evolved over millennia. In the world of digital media, information moves in real time all over the world. You can’t have a successful business enterprise without engaging existing consumers and reaching out to new prospects. And in doing so, whether you’re nurturing leads or acquiring new ones, it’s crucial to remember: Digital storytelling can highlight your unique selling points, […]

E-Commerce Certifications for Marketing Success

The world of marketing and advertising is ripe with opportunity and continually evolving. In the internet age, digital methods that use smarter, faster reporting and analytics tools are rapidly replacing traditional marketing methods, such as snail mail, radio/TV commercials, and print advertising. To succeed in this brave new world, marketing professionals need to be familiar with methods such as pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). With online sales representing 21.3% of total retail sales in 2020, according to Digital Commerce 360, marketers must also incorporate effective e-commerce strategies into their business models. […]

Impact of Social Media on Public Relations During Times of Crisis

With 72% of Americans using some type of social media, according to Pew Research Center, social media platforms serve a multifaceted role that can be a boon or bust for an organization’s public relations efforts. Effective use of social media sites requires responsibility and carefully nuanced messaging that’s not only appropriate for the product or service but also fits the present cultural environment. Social media platforms provide a cost-effective way to stay in front of current and prospective customers and engage with them regularly on a personal level. These platforms also help to position a brand’s product or service within […]

Instagram marketing strategies for e-commerce businesses

Instagram, the most popular photo-sharing social media platform, boasts 1 billion monthly users, with 500 million people interacting with Instagram Stories every day. With such a large base of potential customers, Instagram is a key social media platform that should be part of every brand’s marketing strategy. To learn more, check out the infographic below created by Maryville University’s online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership program. How Instagram became the No. 1 photo-sharing app Instagram’s success story is one for the history books. What started as an app inspired by a love for fine whiskey and bourbon […]

Careers in Corporate Connection: Strategic Communication vs. Public Relations

The written and spoken word has become more important than ever. The ability to communicate thoughts, ideas, and messages through various media outlets has become key to doing business in the 21st century. In the United States’ consumer-driven economy, the way businesses, organizations, institutions, and public figures communicate their images to the public has a massive impact on their success. A creative advertising campaign can propel a new product to the top of the market, a strong PR campaign can win a bid to host the Olympics for a major city, and a bold marketing effort can bring extra acclaim […]

Investing in the Future of Online Higher Education

 Transcript Dustin York: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that a third of the American workforce would be transitioning careers in the next five years. And this prediction came just before the COVID outbreak. Online learning is going to be key to this transition. Just like Zillow makes buying houses better and self-driving cars makes driving cars better. Technology is going to make higher education better. Universities investing in the student learning journey, the student experience during that journey, and the value of that credentialing is going to be absolutely paramount. And the best thing is now doing with online […]

Crisis Communication Tips for PR Professionals

Table of Contents What is Crisis Management?Crisis Communications TipsCrisis Communications ExamplesHow to Write a Crisis Communications PlanCrisis Communications on Social Media A badly handled PR crisis can have a negative impact on companies for years, driving away customers and damaging brand reputation. Images like a doctor being dragged off a plane (remember the United Airlines debacle?) or hashtags like #DeleteUber tend to linger in the public’s mind. However, when a negative situation is managed with a premeditated mitigation strategy, a potential crisis can be turned into a loyalty-building marketing event. Businesses of all types and sizes must develop crisis communication strategies to prepare for […]

Effective Business Communication for Millennials & Gen Z

Strong communication skills form the foundation for lasting career success. While this principle is equally true for today’s workforce as it was a century ago, advancements in technology are widening the generational divide in how we think about business communication. As digital natives, many millennials and members of Generation Z develop practical technology skills before embarking on their career paths. While these adaptable young professionals may be equipped to master new platforms and engage each other virtually, they may not be as seasoned in the art of face-to-face communication compared with their senior colleagues. Differences in life experiences, social norms, […]

A Guide to Activism in the Digital Age

Technology is accelerating the rate at which ideas, relationships, and information are shared. As such, social media is revolutionizing communication and access to information on both a national and global scale. Mass distribution and the ability to effortlessly share information has influenced many facets of modern life, changing the way we think about, connect to, and engage with social justice and activism. How Social Media and Activism Work Together People have discovered new ways to communicate and collaborate through social media. Features such as feeds, profiles, and groups on social platforms provide global access to organizations that can promote and increase visibility […]

What Is PR? A Guide to Understanding Public Relations

Business people holding speech bubble devoid of text.

Whether you call it an art or a science, public relations is a craft that requires undeniable skill, knowledge, and determination from those who choose to work in the industry. This field mixes emotion and logic to succeed, and can be equal parts demanding and satisfying. The field continues to grow, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there will be 22,900 new public relations positions created from 2016 to 2026 — which should provide ample employment opportunities for anyone interested in public relations. The Definition of Public Relations The Public Relations Society of America defines public relations as […]