University of Missouri uses media company to spread COVID-19 information
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The University of Missouri is using a Canadian media company to help with an informational campaign on COVID-19.
MU spokesman Christian Basi said the university's first-ever social media campaign with a third-party company hopes to reach 9,000 or more students.
The university used a Canada-based company called Glacier for the campaign. It cost the university $10,300 to spread COVID-19 information to students, Basi said.
The spokesman said the company is using several Instagram influencers to spread the university's message.
"We thought this was an extremely useful tool to get health information out to the campus," Basi said.
He included the goal is to make sure students are aware of the university's COVID-19 guidelines and policies during the pandemic.
MU freshman Caleb Poorman is one of the students who was tapped by Glacier for the campaign.
Poorman's Instagram account has 1,663 followers and lists him as a 'Mizzou Ambassador.' He has made two posts about wearing masks and the university's Show Me Renewal plan since the campaign started.
The freshman said he's happy to be part of the message moving more students to wear masks.
“Being a part of this role is really cool, and I really wanted to jump on this opportunity. It’s been pretty good so far,” Poorman said.
Basi said the campaign started on Aug. 17 and is expected to end Sept. 25. The social media push could be extended but the university will have to evaluate its effectiveness.
"We're facing an unprecedented time and the university has been very cautious with marketing dollars recently," Basi said. "We think this particular tool will target as many as students as possible."
ABC 17 News reached out to Glacier about how it's handling the campaign but the company had not replied as of Tuesday afternoon.
