Photo of a light rail train in downtown Sacramento. It's fully wrapped in UC Davis branding, with a bright yellow background, blue words that say Outgrow the Expected, a blue UC Davis wordmark and an illustration of a cow riding a bike.

Marketing

Your Partner in Campus Communications

The UC Davis Marketing Communications department researches, develops and manages the marketing and advertising efforts that promote UC Davis. It also provides guidance, administration and resources for communicators in every unit and capacity.

External Advertising and Internal Promotions

The marketing team combines research, creativity and analysis in its efforts to drive public awareness of UC Davis, build the reputation of the university and highlight its global impact. We work to foster a collaborative Aggie community through a cohesive set of initiatives, programs, strategies and goals. 

Brand Guidelines

We manage the UC Davis brand architecture – a holistic suite of communication standards, visual assets and messaging pillars that encompass all the ways we speak to the world and amongst ourselves.

Since its 2020 launch, our “Outgrow the Expected” master brand has offered a comprehensive approach to showcase the multidisciplinary breadth and global impact of our work as an R1 research university, especially in the areas of science and climate, advancing health worldwide, feeding a growing population, all things driven by curiosity and supporting the student researcher. 

Policies

Campus communicators are responsible for understanding and complying with university policies pertaining to communications, branding, and commercial activities. You can find all the official documentation on the policy manager site. 

Licensing and Trademark Program

The licensing and trademark program manages the commercial arm of the university as it relates to products using the university’s name and likeness across retail channels on and off campus. We help external vendors, licensees and partners understand the program. We also support the campus with standards and guidelines for promotional and “swag” items and vendor selection.

Collaborative Environment

The marketing team supports campus communicators and partners with consultation on advertising, marketing campaigns and promotional strategies. To that end, we manage the Communications Council that comprises over 200 professionals across the UC Davis campuses. Throughout the year, the Communications Council offers training sessions, networking events, and opportunities for communicators to collaborate and learn from each other. 

Marketing Resources

Need help on your latest efforts? You can always reach out to our department for advise or hands-on assistance, especially in the following areas:

  • Strategy, planning, campaigns and advertising
  • Graphic design, motion graphics and animation
  • Messaging and copywriting, including workshops for aspiring young marketers and interns
  • Market research, data analysis, competitor analysis, audience segmentation, audience journey mapping, content performance analysis, campaign performance evaluation, strategy development reporting and dashboards support
  • Decision support through statistical analysis of research, dashboard data and rankings available through the quarterly Aggie Tip Sheet
  • Using and administering Canva, an enterprise tool for non-designers to create professional, on-brand communications
  • Signage, event and channel assessments 

To get started on your next collaboration, tell us all about it using the Strategic Communications Creative Brief and we'll get back to you soon. You can always contact the marketing team with questions or suggestions at marketing@ucdavis.edu. We’re here to help.