Wisconsin Week prepares for electronic transition

During the past year, University Communications, publishers of Wisconsin Week, has been engaged in a process of re-inventing the methods it uses to communicate with internal audiences. In the coming months, the office will launch a new effort to enhance the way it informs, communicates to and interacts with employees — those who, together with our extraordinary students, truly make this place great.

In preparation for the new communication effort, the printed publication Wisconsin Week will be retired. Its final issue will publish on May 4.

In August, employees will begin receiving a twice-weekly electronic newsletter, which will provide campus news, information, events and interactive features directly to employees via email.

It’ll feature the news, photos and information that readers have come to expect from Wisconsin Week. But it will deliver news more quickly and more often, tailor more content to faculty and staff interests, and provide more opportunities for employees to interact and tell the stories of their lives on and off campus.

“It’s our belief that the new product will be much more timely in providing information,” says Amy Toburen, director of University Communications. “Readers’ habits have changed, and we need to address how we deliver critical information. Our plan is in line with what our readership has been asking for, and it echoes best practices at peer institutions across the country. In working through this change, we believe this new product will be more effective and useful without incurring the environmental, logistical and resource costs of a printed publication. 

“The launch will be accompanied by an enhanced news.wisc.edu,” Toburen adds. “We are also working with several campus units to ensure that all employees continue to have access to the information in their workplaces.”

Advertising will continue to be available to campus units. More information about pricing and other details will be available in the coming months.

Comments or questions can be sent to WisconsinWeek.