Effective marketing begins with research. And effective enrollment marketing means knowing your target aucience from the earliest possible stages on through enrollment, known in higher education as the enrollment funnel.
Jesse Trahan’s marketing strategy is based on end-to-end audience analysis that begins with detailed Google Analytics reports that are accompanied by Quantcast’s proprietary web visitor demographic algorhythmns and continues with heavy analysis of prospect, applicant and enrolled populations.
This data informs audience selection, which in turn informs media strategy and messaging factors including content, tone and visuals. A marketing campaign is created to raise interest, increase awareness and, ultimately, drive qualified suspects to the web where they become prospects and formally enter the enrollment funnel.
2. Campaign Message Factors
• Awareness gap that exists between our target audience and our
programs’ existence, breadth and depth
• Career advancement is the key motivator of our students
• Towson’s comprehensive university identity emphasizing the
systematic addition of strong programs that represent emerging
disciplines, addressing economic and workforce needs, and serving the
metropolitan region.1
• Towson’s metropolitan university status serving local communities
and regions; anchoring our greater metropolitan region.2
1Towson At A Glance: Towson University Mission Statement
http://www.towson.edu/main/abouttu/glance/mission.asp
2CUMU: Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities
http://www.cumuonline.org/about.aspx
Intro 2
3. Campaign Message Factors
What we want to communicate to our target audience
Towson University provides students with applied
learning and engagement in off-campus educational
experiences in their fields of interest to advance their
careers and, in the process, positively influence the
development and well being of the surrounding
community, state, and region.
Intro 3
4. Campaign Message Factors
Single most important message
Towson is the university that puts me to work—in classes with
professors who are active experts in their fields, in internships,
field placements and research assistantships where I'll build
valuable professional experience and networks, and in my career
of choice upon graduation.
A Towson graduate education is applicable in the real world, and
I don't have to wait until I graduate to put my education to work.
Intro 4
5. Campaign Media Factors
Target Audience
A Maryland-based, white female Millennial (1982-2001)
with deep trust in authority and institutions and heavy
dependence on team work. She matures into a heroic
young adult.1 Her enrollment funnel activity ramps up in
the fall with a break over the holidays and a big return in
January.
1Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069; Strauss & Howe
Intro 5
6. Campaign Media
The January Factor
Web Visits Requests for Info Applications
09-10 10-11 11-12 09-10 10-11 11-12 09-10 10-11 11-12
Pre-Jan 53% 51% 50% 52% 50% 51% 42% 47% 46%
January 11% 11% 11% 9% 10% 9% 21% 19% 22%
Post-Jan 36% 38% 39% 38% 40% 40% 37% 34% 32%
Intro 6
7. Campaign Evolution
Fiscal Years 2009-2011
Message and media factors contributed to
a campaign strategy of real TU students
relating their personal stories of gaining
valuable real-world experience, making
significant contributions, and becoming
highly desirable in their professional fields,
before they even graduate.
Intro 7
9. Campaign Evolution
Fiscal Years 2011-12
Student voices are now amplified by alumni
crediting TU for their success and employers
reinforcing our core message of the very real
value of real-world experience.
Intro 9
13. Graduate Growth Comparison:
Programs* vs. Marketing Budget
120 $414,000
100 $345,000
Year: 1999
Programs: 33
Budget: $138k
80 $276,000
TU designated growth institution,
w/additional $/FTE. Provost's office created
grad scholarships and added funds to mktng
60 $207,000
Year: 2012
Programs: 112
Budget: $138k
40 $138,000
*Program count is approximate and includes concentrations & tracks
20 $69,000
0 $0
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
Intro 13
14. Web Visits
AY 08-09 AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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15. Web Page Views
AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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16. Web Pages Per Visit
AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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17. Average Visit Duration Minutes
AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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18. Prospects by Month
2011-12
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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19. Prospects by Month
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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20. Applications by Month
2011-12
1200
46% 22% 32%
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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21. Applications by Month
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
1200
46% 22% 32%
47% 19% 34%
42% 21% 37%
41% 20% 39%
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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22. Prospect Age
08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
3500
3% 48% 34% 15%
3% 49% 34% 14%
3% 49% 33% 16%
4% 49% 32% 15%
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
18 or under 19-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and over
Page 9 of 33
23. Prospect State
2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12
Combined Due To Nearly Identical Numbers
PA, 7%
NY, 3%
NJ, 2%
MD, 66% DE, 1%
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24. Applicant State
FY 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12
Combined Due To Nearly Identical Numbers
NJ, 3%
NY, 2%
PA, 5%
MD, 79%
VA, 2%
Page 11 of 33
25. Enrolled State
FY 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12
Combined Due To Nearly Identical Numbers
MD, 91%
PA, 3%
VA, 1%
NJ, 1%
NY, 1%
Page 12 of 33
26. Prospect Sex
100%
90% M, 21%
M, 23% M, 24% M, 23%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% F, 79%
F, 77% F, 76% F, 77%
30%
20%
10%
0%
08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
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27. Prospect Sex & Age
F 08-09 F 09-10 F 10-11 F 11-12 M 08-09 M 09-10 M 10-11 M 11-12
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
18 or under 19-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and over
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28. Applicant Sex
100%
90%
M, 26% M, 27% M, 28%
M, 28%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
F, 74% F, 73% F, 72% F, 73%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
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38. Graduate Marketing Budget
FY 2011-12
Sum of Spend
Medium Channel Type Total
Interactive Ad Serving Fees 784
BaltimoreSun.com Banner 8490
Google Adwords SEM 25994
Millenial Media (Mobile) Banner 18000
Quantcast (Lookalike) Banner 20000
Resonate (Values) Banner 9000
U.S. News & World Report Banner 5090
WashingtonPost.com Banner 13456
WTMD.org Banner 1800
Interactive Total 102614
Misc Misc 2607
Misc Total 2607
Radio Production 5000
WERQ-FM Commercial 12501
WWMX-FM Commercial 10175
WZFT-FM Commercial 5103
Radio Total 32779
Grand Total 138000
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39. Graduate Web Pages Data
Visits AY 08-09 AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 20,145 21,320 26,816 34,073 25,589
Aug 21,770 27,623 41,380 45,558 34,083
Sep 24,348 36,681 44,140 45,246 37,604
Oct 24,271 46,754 54,846 62,171 47,011
Nov 24,987 52,670 60,414 69,070 51,785
Dec 23,630 34,264 43,040 49,730 37,666
Jan 29,675 46,709 57,806 68,369 50,640
Feb 23,887 35,174 42,811 52,361 38,558
Mar 26,615 32,085 42,044 47,736 37,120
Apr 26,238 29,210 39,171 49,384 36,001
May 25,928 29,770 43,782 48,417 36,974
Jun 19,749 24,615 36,872 40,573 30,452
AVG 24,270 34,740 44,427 51,057 38,624
Pageviews AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 72,277 90,404 132,773 98,485
Aug 85,947 122,311 159,169 122,476
Sep 101,688 123,361 152,618 125,889
Oct 119,987 148,163 241,795 169,982
Nov 128,283 165,842 265,628 186,584
Dec 95,625 148,865 218,053 154,181
Jan 133,961 205,412 304,832 214,735
Feb 95,781 145,840 220,326 153,982
Mar 101,308 152,297 215,681 156,429
Apr 92,701 139,430 216,810 149,647
May 96,024 151,210 219,858 155,697
Jun 79,518 129,901 186,655 132,025
AVG 100,258 143,586 211,183 151,676
Pages/Visit AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 3.39 3.37 3.90 3.55
Aug 3.11 2.96 3.49 3.19
Sep 2.77 2.79 3.37 2.98
Oct 2.57 2.70 3.89 3.05
Nov 2.44 2.75 3.85 3.01
Dec 2.79 2.75 4.38 3.31
Jan 2.87 3.55 4.46 3.63
Feb 2.72 3.41 4.21 3.45
Mar 3.16 3.62 4.52 3.77
Apr 3.17 3.56 4.39 3.71
May 3.23 3.45 4.54 3.74
Jun 3.23 3.52 4.60 3.78
AVG 2.95 3.20 4.13 3.43
Avg. Visit Duration AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 0:03:26 0:03:36 0:04:07 0:03:43
Aug 0:03:13 0:03:09 0:03:45 0:03:22
Sep 0:02:57 0:02:51 0:03:33 0:03:07
Oct 0:02:54 0:02:52 0:03:31 0:03:06
Nov 0:02:49 0:03:00 0:03:28 0:03:06
Dec 0:03:14 0:03:32 0:04:02 0:03:36
Jan 0:03:27 0:03:45 0:04:10 0:03:47
Feb 0:03:01 0:03:27 0:03:46 0:03:25
Mar 0:03:24 0:03:38 0:03:54 0:03:39
Apr 0:03:24 0:03:37 0:03:46 0:03:36
May 0:03:30 0:03:29 0:03:50 0:03:36
Jun 0:03:34 0:03:52 0:03:53 0:03:46
AVG 0:03:14 0:03:24 0:03:49 0:03:29
Avg. Visit Duration Seconds AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 206 216 247 223.00
Aug 193 189 225 202.33
Sep 177 171 213 187.00
Oct 174 172 211 185.67
Nov 169 180 208 185.67
Dec 194 212 242 216.00
Jan 207 225 250 227.33
Feb 181 207 226 204.67
Mar 204 218 234 218.67
Apr 204 217 226 215.67
May 210 209 230 216.33
Jun 214 232 233 226.33
AVG 194.42 204.00 228.75 209.06
Avg. Visit Duration Minutes AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 11-12 AVG
Jul 3.43 3.60 4.12 3.72
Aug 3.22 3.15 3.75 3.37
Sep 2.95 2.85 3.55 3.12
Oct 2.90 2.87 3.52 3.09
Nov 2.82 3.00 3.47 3.09
Dec 3.23 3.53 4.03 3.60
Jan 3.45 3.75 4.17 3.79
Feb 3.02 3.45 3.77 3.41
Mar 3.40 3.63 3.90 3.64
Apr 3.40 3.62 3.77 3.59
May 3.50 3.48 3.83 3.61
Jun 3.57 3.87 3.88 3.77
AVG 3.24 3.40 3.81 p
40. Graduate Prospect Data
Prospects 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 AVG
Jul 360 370 482 442 606 452
Aug 393 376 641 671 569 530
Sep 441 407 626 666 672 562
Oct 440 434 663 601 695 567
Nov 346 369 585 555 457 462
Dec 288 319 401 438 546 398
Jan 344 498 606 637 649 547
Feb 245 390 441 483 537 419
Mar 268 401 489 548 488 439
Apr 248 407 519 620 525 464
May 329 423 543 511 609 483
Jun 301 478 504 559 599 488
TOT 4003 4872 6500 6731 6952 5812
AVG 334 406 542 561 579 484
Age 08-09 08-09 09-10 09-10 10-11 10-11 11-12 11-12
18 or under 116 3% 148 3% 251 4% 203 3%
19-24 1887 49% 2825 49% 3261 49% 3314 48%
25-34 1296 34% 1923 33% 2148 32% 2354 34%
35-44 326 9% 560 10% 646 10% 694 10%
45-54 165 4% 271 5% 301 4% 288 4%
55-64 27 1% 80 1% 74 1% 67 1%
65 and over 1 0% 10 0% 8 0% 11 0%
TOT 3818 100% 5817 52% 6689 15% 6931 4%
Sex 08-09 08-09 09-10 09-10 10-11 10-11 11-12 11-12
F 3079 77% 5087 79% 5077 76% 5332 77%
M 931 23% 1388 21% 1612 24% 1600 23%
TOT 4010 100% 6475 100% 6689 100% 6932 100%
State 08-09 08-09% 09-10 09-10% 10-11 10-11% 11-12 11-12%
MD 2,667 66% 4,307 66% 4,339 65% 4,484 64%
PA 267 7% 432 7% 463 7% 408 6%
NY 136 3% 215 3% 203 3% 211 3%
NJ 94 2% 172 3% 173 3% 194 3%
DE 46 1% 66 1% 75 1% 60 1%
TOT 4,012 100% 6,480 100% 6,699 100% 6952 100%
Age F 08-09 M 08-09 F 09-10 M 09-10 F 10-11 M 10-11 F 11-12 M 11-12
18 or under 86 30 123 25 197 54 165 38
19-24 1539 349 2344 481 2701 560 2751 563
25-34 932 364 1405 518 1463 685 1688 665
35-44 219 107 399 161 450 196 481 213
45-54 129 36 201 70 207 94 185 103
55-64 21 6 65 15 55 19 51 16
65 and over 0 1 6 4 4 4 9 2
46. Graduate Marketing Budget Data
FY 2011-12
Medium Channel Type Spend
Interactive Ad Serving Fees 784
Interactive Google Adwords SEM 25,994
Interactive Quantcast (Lookalike) Banner 20,000
Interactive Millenial Media (Mobile) Banner 18,000
Interactive WashingtonPost.com Banner 13,456
Interactive Resonate (Values) Banner 9,000
Interactive BaltimoreSun.com Banner 8,490
Interactive U.S. News & World Report Banner 5,090
Interactive WTMD.org Banner 1,800
Misc Misc 2,607
Radio Production 5,000
Radio WERQ-FM Commercial 12,501
Radio WWMX-FM Commercial 10,175
Radio WZFT-FM Commercial 5,103
Sum of Spend
Medium Total
Interactive 102614
Misc 2607
Radio 32779
Grand Total 138000
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