An introduction to the Newsroom of KU Leuven by Newsroom Chief Sigrid Somers. Presentation for the EUVIRNA: European Training Network on (+)RNA Virus Replication and Antiviral Drug Development on the 4th February 2014.

1. Introduction to
KU Leuven Newsroom
Sigrid Somers - 4 February 2014

2. News@KU Leuven
• Until 2010: 3 (of 8) separate
cells under ‘communication’
o
o
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Campuskrant (newspaper)
Press office
Internet communication
• Anno 2013: 1 ‘integrated’
Campuskrant
…
Press
office
Internet
communi
cation
newsroom organised under
Rectorial Offices
o
o
o
central focus: reporting and
distributing national and
international news on
research, education, and service
to society
online & offline
team of 13 people
press
print
online

3. Newsroom 2014
• Reporting, awareness-building and outreach for
research, education, societal engagement
o
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News in the journalistic sense of the word
As objective as possible and non-prejudiced
• honest, clear, transparent
• not a ‘good news show’, marketing tool, promotional tool
• Actively stimulating dialogue with internal and external
target audiences
o
Room for opinion and exchange of ideas

4. Focus
Different
messages and
channels for
different target
audiences
Balance
between print
and digital
Expand
international
press outreach

5. News
• What’s newsworthy?
o
That depends on several factors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Societal impact (target audiences)
Exclusivity
Timing
Link with current events/news of the day
Unexpected event
Proximity/involvement
Location
Emotional dimension
…

6. Sources
Policy
• Policy decisions (Executive Board, Academic Council, Board of
Trustees), international cooperation agreements, student affairs
•…
Education
• Enrolment evolution, educational programmes, innovative education
projects and reforms
•…
Research
• Research results, international publications, doctoral
dissertations, master’s theses, scholarships, clinical studies by University
Hospitals Leuven, researchers’ blogs, conferences
• …

7. Sources
Societal engagement
• Metaforum, columns & op-eds about ‘hot topics’ in the public discourse
(GMOs, euthanasia…)
•…
Crisis communication
• Scientific misconduct, unexpected termination of a researcher’s
contract, fire in student residence
•…

8. Target audiences: broad & diverse
Students
Press
Alumni
Staff
Emeriti

9. Campuskrant
• University newspaper
• News and analysis on scientific
research, education, university policy, student
life, alumni
• For staff members, emeriti, paying
alumni, students, press
• Features:
o
o
o
Beeldige Wetenschap – De Raad – Emeritusevangelie – Leven
na Leuven – Markante alumnus – Boek:delen – Benoemd en
Onderscheiden
Room for opinion: Brief aan de rector, guest columnists
Op-eds are welcome!

10. Campuskrant
• Campuskrant in print:
35,000 copies
o
o
o
o
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o
Alumni: 26,350
Staff: 1,600
Emeriti: 1,600
Via distribution points on
campus: 5,000
External readers
(schools, libraries, journalists, g
overnment offices…): 450
Special edition (May-June):
60,000 copies

11. Campuskrant
• Campuskrant via e-mail:
121,413 addresses
o
o
o
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Students: 53,322
Staff: 14,855
Alumni: 51,584
External: 1,613
Press: 139

12. Campuskrant
• Also available online:
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website: http://nieuws.kuleuven.be/campuskrant

13. Campuskrant
• And on the go:
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Campuskrant iPad app:

14. KU Leuven Focus
• Highlights of the previous
academic year
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o
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KU Leuven ‘at a glance’
Research
Awards & recognition
University & society
Charitable giving & fundraising
Education & student life
Integration & association
University Hospitals Leuven
• NL & EN, updated yearly in
September

15. Website
• http://www.kuleuven.be
o
Portal site with a strong news
focus
• ‘News’ block: with 4 most
recent news articles from the
news website
• Right column: ‘In the media:
‘Research’ & ‘Public debate’
• Links to online articles, news
clips about KU Leuven
o
For (prospective)
students, staff, job
seekers, alumni, press and
gifters

16. Website
• http://www.kuleuven.be/english
o
Portal site with a strong news
focus
• ‘News’ block: with 4 most recent
news articles from the news
website
• Right column:
‘Education’, ‘Research’ & ‘Meet us
abroad’
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For international audience:
(prospective) students, staff, job
seekers, alumni, press and gifters

17. News website
• http://nieuws.kuleuven.be
and
http://www.kuleuven.be/news
o
o
News website with latest articles
on education, research, social
engagement, etc.
For
staff, students, alumni, press

18. Nieuwsmail
• Lastest news,
announcements
• Weekly
• 69,668 addresses
o
o
o
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students: 53,322
staff: 14,855
external subscribers: 1,352
press: 139
(coming soon) alumni: 51,584

19. English-language e-newsletter
• Latest news,
announcements, agenda
• Weekly
• 11,082 addresses
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international students: 53,322
non-Belgian staff: 14,855
external subscribers: 463
(coming soon) alumni: 5,000

20. Focus Monthly
• Selection of top research
research news, sociallyrelevant topics of interest
• Monthly
• International
community, international
alumni, embassies, IO
foreign universities…

21. Policy Bulletin
• Overview of policy
decisions of central
policymaking bodies of KU
Leuven and KU Leuven
Association
• Monthly
• Staff, students
• NL & EN

22. Press
• Daily (NL & EN):
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Press inquiries: the press calls on KU Leuven gladly and often
• We provide support and advice to professors, researchers…act as go-between
with the press: press inquiries, participation in societal debate, op-eds…
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Press releases (national and international)
Twitter: used intensively by journalists
• Broad network of journalists
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Selection by topic: which journalist for which news?
• Internal database with 800 national contacts
• External database with thousands of international contacts
• Agreements on exclusivity and embargos as necessary
• E-persoverzicht (press overview) for subscribers:
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Daily overview of newspaper articles in cooperation with Mediargus
Strictly individual and available upon request via the Newsroom

23. Press
• Media training
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Radio: Steve Dierckx (VRT)
Television: Wim De Vilder (VRT)
2 sessions per year, each spread over 2 half-days
For professors, researchers and other staff seeking advice and
support
• Groups always interdisciplinary
• Exclusive training tailored to a specific group can also be arranged
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Early bird gets the worm!

24. KU Leuven in pictures
• Photographer Rob Stevens
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House photographer supplying images for the Newsroom’s news
channels
Available for hire on a per-assignment basis for special events, etc.:
www.kuleuven.be/foto
• Photo database: www.kuleuven.be/fotodatabank:
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Photos by Rob Stevens
For faculties, departments, research groups…

25. News? Share it with us!
Tel.: 016 32 40 08 – 016 32 40 13
E-mail: nieuws@kuleuven.be | news@kuleuven.be
Follow us and join the conversation:
nieuws.kuleuven.be | kuleuven.be/news
fb.com/kuleuven | fb.com/LeuvenUniversity
twitter.com/ku_leuven | twitter.com/LeuvenU
www.kuleuvenblogt.be