This document discusses trends in digital communications and provides recommendations for organizations. It notes that mobile devices have largely replaced personal computers and the importance of responsive design. Recommendations for websites include starting with mobile design, writing for web consumption, and using banners, alerts and modal windows sparingly. For email, it suggests keeping messages short, including calls to action, and reducing images. Social media is preferred by younger groups and allows for sharing messages. Digital displays are growing and allow for scheduling and changing content easily.

1. Moving Forward With
Digital Communications
kray mitchell • digital communications specialist • kmitchell@glencoe.org
2014 CONFERENCE
NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLUB ATHLETIC DIRECTORS

2. The Zombie Apocalypse!

3. Anything sent digitally from any device.

5. Global unit
sales in millions
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015e
Personal Computer Mobile and Tablets
The Paradigm Shift:
source: http://bit.ly/1lWfhgW

6. The Paradigm Shift:
REPLACED:
Every 4-5yrs
REPLACED:
Every 2yrs
source: http://bit.ly/1lWfhgW | http://bit.ly/1lpEFav
2012:
Half a square foot of LCD screen/every human.

8. Websites:
Navbar
Sidebar
Branding
Content

10. Websites:
• Responsive offers a better device-agnostic experience.
• Start with mobile design and scale up.
• We’re still learning mobile. Expect to make mistakes.
• Content is King. Write for web consumption.

11. Websites:
• Banners (Top, side, in content)
• Alerts
• Modal Window

13. Email:

14. Email:
Viewport

15. Email:
• Emails should be straight forward and to the point.
• Keep subject lines short and intriguing.
• Don’t include large headers (Think Mobile!).
• Reduce images used. Text only emails are OK!
• Include a call to action to drive traffic.

16. Email:
• Emergency club notices.
• Current and upcoming events.
• League updates and information.
• Statements/Invoices/Requests for info.

18. Social:
• Relatively new form of communication.
• Preferred over email for 35 and under age group.
• Better mobile experience.
• Many networks to choose from.
• Helps to get messages out via sharing.

24. Social:
• Emergency club notices.
• Upcoming events or deadlines.
• Results of sporting events or highlights.
• Interesting local history or points of interest.

26. Digital Displays:
• An old medium that is growing immensely.
• Can present any type of content.
• Content can be scheduled and changed easily.
• Cost effective solutions are available for low motion content

29. Euclid Analytics

30. Estimote

31. kmitchell@glencoe.org | @kraymitchell
2014 CONFERENCE
NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLUB ATHLETIC DIRECTORS