Media Relations is changing how they do business on campus.
The Media Relations team will now start utilizing news “beats” — a system based on the model that the Public Affairs department at the Vancouver campus successfully uses. In this way, the media team will be able to increase and specialize its coverage of UBC Okanagan’s faculties and schools.
This creates opportunities to become more familiar with and speak more authoritatively about this campus’ people and research, as well as tell the stories that the local, provincial and national news media prize.
When this campus became UBC in 2005, Media Relations was issuing about 100 media releases and advisories per year. This number has grown to more than 200 releases per year in recent years — a credit to how UBC has become a significant generator of stories for the news media throughout the Okanagan and beyond.
The new beat system will ensure continuity of coverage for writers Jody Jacob and Patty Wellborn, who share the position of assistant communications coordinator.
So, who should you call as your point of first contact?
Jody Jacob (on campus Wednesday to Friday)
Assistant Communications Coordinator
jody.jacob@ubc.ca or 250-807-9887
- Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
- Faculty of Management
- Student Services
- Athletics and Recreation
Patty Wellborn (on campus Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)
Assistant Communications Coordinator
patty.wellborn@ubc.ca or 250-807-8463
- Faculty of Health and Social Development
(School of Health and Exercise Sciences; School of Nursing; School of Social Work) - School of Engineering
- Southern Medical Program
- Faculty of Education
Paul Marck (on campus Monday to Friday)
Manager of Media Relations
paul.marck@ubc.ca or 250-807-9278
- Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
(Department of Critical Studies; Department of Creative Studies) - University Administration
(Offices of the Deputy Vice Chancellor; Provost; Vice Principal Research; Associate Vice President Finance and Operations) - College of Graduate Studies
- Special projects
- Media issues management
