Digital Printing London - University of East London Case Study (Archive)

Objective

The traditional method of providing the UEL Programme overviews has been a practical “one size fits all” approach whereby all information is contained in either the Undergraduate or Postgraduate Prospectus. Currently the Undergraduate Prospectus is 284 pages and Postgraduate 244 pages and is litho printed in bulk and warehoused.

The objective was to implement a variable data print solution to reduce costs and to gain a better understanding of the potential student so UEL could affect a dynamic relationship to better serve their needs.

Key Requirements

• Reduce the requirement for bulk printing of prospectuses to improve response and content obsolescence, reduce waste, achieve cost savings and improve the eco efficiency of providing information.

• Track the customer journey by measuring actions: searching the website/dropping out of the site/courses viewed/prospectus request/programme applications/bookings.

• Improve the student experience on the UEL site to make it easier for the student to apply to study.

• Leverage personalisation through the variable data solution and improve the speed of the process to increase the number of Programme applications/bookings.

• Measure and capture data on the customer journey to create a customer relationship management process which enables a continuous and relevant dialogue with students to sell more relevant Programmes.

• Improve enquiry to registration rates.

• Identify the best way to bring together a technical solution.

Solution

UEL chose XMedia from KnowledgePoint which pushes the boundaries in flexibility and excellence of online and offline digital bespoke content. An ingenious browser-based, user friendly software solution, XMedia automatically publishes self-selected information in real time – on screen, for download and/or printing.

Students drive the inclusion of specific content – selected from choices presented on the web page. They are rewarded with high quality, informative collateral almost as soon as it’s been requested … in the format of their choice.

The benefits are increased student engagement, faster purchasing decisions and revenue generation, total working flexibility and delivery solutions.

This on demand facility removes any need for bulk print runs of prospectuses. And the content is completely customised to the user’s requirements.

Key benefits for UEL are:

• Personalisation of information on Programmes according to the individual student’sinterests.
• A personal prospectus can be built in real time (within seconds). The student can choose to either have a printed version of their own prospectus, an online version, a download or a blend of these versions.
• UEL can track interactions as the student moves through the site to give insight on how the site is used and how it can be improved.
• KnowledgePoint apply sophisticated digital equipment to deliver high quality full colour print, where it is needed, and utilise innovative finishing equipment incorporating camera verification technology to finish each prospectus. This approach is specifically designed to support variable length products, minimise cost reduce waste and guarantee document integrity.
• Tracking and reporting of what students do in the search and booking process so that an automatic customer relationship management programme can be implemented.

Results

UEL now offer a wider range of Variable Data Printed (VDP) prospectuses all of which are available for order through their website. Essentially this comprises of a “self service” marketing and information solution whereby the enquirer can order information on any Programmes available at UEL and provides individual choice for specific information requirements such as fees, resources and halls of residence.

In addition to receiving a high quality digitally printed paper based colour prospectus within 48 hours (subject to location), the enquirer is given a PURL to access an on-line viewable version which incorporates page turning technology and other facilities. More importantly, this method of delivery produces a wealth of market research data and plots a journey for conversion from prospect to UEL student.

The KnowledgePoint XMedia VDP solution was available for Postgraduate students from October 2009 and to Undergraduate students from January 2010, UEL have already identified evidence that indicates VDP prospectuses can offer substantial cost savings. Shipping costs, which are weight based, are a significant area of saving for UEL too, especially for overseas locations.

A spokesman at UEL says “The early signs are that VDP offers real cost benefits and can be continually refreshed and updated to reflect our current Programmes offer.”

And adds: “There is no other University that has gone to such lengths to give true autonomy to the student; almost all the Prospectus content is driven by the student – very little is enforced content. And it’s a mix of Programmes information and university information collated according to the preferences of the student.”

Paul Gibbons, co-founder of KnowledgePoint, who developed the UEL solution says: “It’s been a very rewarding experience to be able to affect significant change and cost efficiencies for UEL and give greater strategic depth for their marketing capability. Making a positive difference to our customers is the XMedia solution’s key strength.”

Digital Printing

Digital Printing East London - DIGITAL DOUBLE DEFINES FUTURE OF PRINT

 

 The innovative personalised prospectus jointly developed by the Digital Media Team and Print Services, of the University of East London’s Corporate Marketing;  and on-demand digital print experts Knowledge Point has scooped two major national industry awards in as many weeks.

At a gala event on the 11^th of November it received a medal at the prestigious UK IT Industry Awards 2010, in the Project Excellence Awards category for ‘Revolutionising Variable Data Print in the Education Sector’.

A week later on the 17^th of November UEL’s personal prospectus building toolkit then took the Digital Printer Awards 2010 for its outstanding use of digital printing technology. UEL’s ‘build your own prospectus’ system creates and sends a personalised printed prospectus to potential students based on their choices. As the personal prospectus is self-selected by the user it is naturally more relevant, making it a far more effective marketing tool.

The system also provides a profile for further communication and future evidence-based marketing, whilst also being greener and more cost effective. Jonathan Stephenson, Head of Digital Media at UEL, said: “These awards confirm our leading position in the development of user-focused marketing solutions based on an understanding of the expectations and objectives of the online prospect, linked to an on-demand digital print output.”

 “The outcome is exactly what the potential customer wants. It is their own prospectus in every sense and we are finding that their further actions towards applying to study with us are much higher as a result than are obtained from more traditional approaches.” He added: “It has been an interesting project to direct and is a triumph for the talented teams involved both at the University of East London and at KnowledgePoint.

There are many more ways in which this technology could support our future strategies and it is good to know that UEL is ahead of the field.” Steve Marlow, Head of Print Services at UEL said: "To be nationally recognised by different industry sectors at the same time is a remarkable achievement. These awards prove that the efforts we are making to develop technology and use it in new and exciting ways to improve user experience are working." Digital Printing London

Digital Printing - UEL’s own digital prof joins City leaders for breakfast

Around 30 business leaders from finance, law, education and communication gathered to hear Professor Springer speak at the Canary Wharf Executive Development Centre, for its first breakfast networking and seminar event.

Professor Springer, who has previously developed branding for Coca-Cola white goods and music label TC9, said UEL was keen to support industry and produce the next generation of talent.

“As our civic region includes the City, I’m happy to go for it,” he said.
Centre Executive Director Phil Ryan was pleased with the seminar. “We’ve put ourselves on the Canary Wharf map,” he said.

The next breakfast seminar is on 10 June. It will feature Sharon Ward, author of The Changing Face of Compliance. To book your place, click the link
  

"Excellent event, did you know Google was first named "Project back rub" well there you go learn something new every session". Shane @ East London Communications

Digital Printing - UEL: Graduate Fashion Week 2015

 

A University of East London student has scooped one of the biggest prizes of this year’s Graduate Fashion Week. Chloe Draper was declared the winner of the Fashion Marketing Award following a gruelling interview process that took place on Saturday at the Old Truman Brewery in east London. Chloe, from Hockley near Southend, was also critiqued on a business plan and marketing report she created for an online fashion company focused on older women.

 “It feels amazing to win the award. It’s the best feeling in the world. I was so happy that my hard work in marketing has been recognised. It makes me very emotional,” said Chloe, who recently earned a degree in fashion design and fashion marketing. Judges Michael Salac, a public relations director, and Craig Spellar, a fashion consultant, described Chloe’s work as “innovative” and “relevant”. Dorota Watson, Head of Fashion and Textiles at UEL, was also impressed.

 “I think in terms of winning an award it solidifies and puts a stamp on what the programme is delivering and what the industry thinks of what we’re delivering,” Dorota said. Graduate Fashion Week has been taking place at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.

The annual event showcases the work of over 1,000 of the best fashion students and graduates, and features 22 catwalk shows and exhibitions from over 40 universities. Chloe’s win wasn’t the only highlight for UEL. On Sunday afternoon, the University sent 23 student collections down the catwalk in a show the official Graduate Fashion Week blog described as “awe-inspiring”.

 “We were presented with giant glasses to cover giant faces, dresses with angles so killer, you could use them as a staircase, and statement garments teamed with statement banners,” the GFW team declared. “We bow down, UEL.

Well done, you clever bunch.” From Danielle Spencer’s blindingly cheerful laser-cut hearts and arrows to Kayleigh Walsmley’s gender-blurring take on menswear, UEL creativity stormed the runway in front of nearly 1,000 industry insiders, journalists, and other guests. Kayleigh and fellow fashion design student Vilune Daunoraite were selected to participate in the “Best of Graduate Fashion Week” Gala Show.

Vilune was a finalist for the prestigious George Gold Award for best collection, while Kayleigh was nominated in the David Band Textiles category. Liverpool-bred Kayleigh’s collection muses on football hooliganism and references the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, while Vilune’s collection offers ladylike pieces mixed with edgy laser-cut leather.

 Press coverage of the UEL collections has been impressive, with student work featured on websites including British Vogue, The Times, The London Evening Standard, The Independent and Dezeen architecture and design magazine. “This is such an important date in students’ diaries. It’s such a good platform for students to get their work out there to be spotted by industry and to be offered jobs.

It’s such an amazing thing for us,” said fashion design student Sharan Samra. Sharan created a menswear collection inspired by her trips to India. Many of the pieces were embellished with fur – a taste of things to come for Sharan, who will soon take up a position with London-based furrier RDK Designs.

 Faye Hindle, who studied fashion design and marketing, said she decided to come to UEL primarily because GFW was among the opportunities the University offered its fashion students. “Just seeing something that I’ve made and seeing my name on a screen in front of a thousand people makes me feel really good,” Faye said.

 Fashion design student Jake Gooden said he felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Jake’s menswear collection was based on “the imperfection of being perfect” and incorporated techniques such as latex threading. “It’s just a whole buzz being around everyone, the industry.

I feel very welcomed into the industry. Coming from an unknown background, it gives you a platform to step up and meet people that you want to meet. It’s great to be here,” Jake said. Fashion Programme Leader David Thomas said UEL’s accomplishments at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week were a testament to both the fashion programme and the hard work of its students.

“We’ve got a dedicated staff team and a small amount of students in each course. We focus on those students and they create great work because of it. You’re just seeing the start of that now,” he said. Simon Robertshaw, Dean of UEL’s School of Arts and Digital Industries, said the University’s fashion programme is unique among its peers.

“We all know east London is the hotbed of creative talent. I think we want it to be slightly different. We want it to be edgy. We want to be involved in an urban culture,” he said. “I think you’ll see that in many of our students’ collections. We’re slightly different from what you see in the mainstream and I think that’s what really marks us out as being different,” he continued.

 "A special thanks to East London Communication, who supplied all the printing requirements including Pull up banners, Posters, Large format printing, Business Cards, Name cards, Badges, Flyers and brochures, Thanks Guys".

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