Content development resources
Strategic Communications relies on several key tools to effectively develop and distribute content. We encourage you to use them to facilitate development and promotion of your content.
Contact Strategic Communications to find out more about using these tools.
Writing guides/templates
Writing a meeting/event news release
Writing a new hire press release
Creative briefs
A creative brief is a vital organizational tool that describes the overall strategy, approach and deliverables for a communications/marketing campaign. It helps clarify the objectives, goals, expectations and timeline for the Strat Comms team and its clients.
When conceptualizing a potential communications campaign, take a few minutes to answer the questions in the Creative Brief Template.
Creative Brief Template (MS Word file)
Distribution strategy
Even the most brilliant piece of content cannot shine without a clear plan to share it with the world. Before investing time and resources in developing that content, think about where, when and how you plan to distribute it (as well as who you are trying to reach). Run through the Content Distribution Checklist below to consider your options.
Content distribution checklist sample (MS Word file)
Channel framework sample (Excel file)
Canva
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Canva, the all-in-one graphic design platform with leading-edge visual communication and design tools.
UC ANR staff can purchase Canva Pro subscriptions to enhance their design capabilities.
Cost
- The UC-negotiated annual rate is $94 per user license recharged to the department (regular rate = $120/year).
- Licenses purchased in July will run through the FY 2025.
- Orders placed after July will be prorated to the fiscal year.
- Users purchasing a license will have the option to renew each July.
How to order
To request a Canva license, take the following steps:
- Contact CDW-G at Scott.Mueller@cdwg.com for a quote for the pro-rated amount. Include your department’s name and the number of seats requested. Mention that you are with UC ANR.
- If you are requesting licenses for multiple users, you may attach a spreadsheet listing the members' names. We encourage departments to purchase seats in bulk to facilitate the process.
- After receiving a quote, contact your business manager to complete a purchase order.
- Once you have a purchase order, contact Scott Mueller Scott.Mueller@cdwg.com again to complete the purchase.
- Once UC ANR Canva administrators receive notification of a new seat purchase, we will place the buyer in the corresponding Canva Team and Group.
Teams
Users will be added to one of two UC ANR Canva Teams. The UC ANR Communications Team will include staff from our statewide programs. Each program will be assigned a group that can easily share content with users in other groups.
The UC ANR General Team has been set up for users in all other departments/units.
Email Dora Garay dgaray@ucanr.edu to request to be added to a specific Group. You may also request for a Group to be created for your department, team or UCCE office. Users can be part of multiple Groups.
Additional important information
What if I already have a current UC-paid Canva account?
Existing users won’t automatically be added to the new UC contract and teams. They can still access Canva how they did previously. However, they are strongly encouraged to sign up for a new account at the lower user rate of $94/user/year.
If you join the new UC Canva account, Canva will refund the remainder of prepaid Pro licenses, but those users will have to move their designs over to the new account using these instructions.
Anyone with an existing paid Canva license will still have access to the teams they had access to before switching over to a new UC account.
What is the turnaround time between placing an order for Canva Enterprise and account activation?
Canva & CDWG aim for a two-day (2-day) provisioning window, but this timeframe may be slightly longer during the initial months due to order volume. This timing may improve after the first few months as the volume of orders evens out.
How do I access my new Canva account?
With their license purchase, staff users will access Canva using their Single-Sign-On (SSO) credentials. New users will receive a welcome email.
What if I already have a “5-for-1” Canva license?
Canva is phasing out 5-for-1 licenses as of November 2024. Users with these accounts can keep them until they phase out, but as of November 2024, they will need to purchase a new Canva Enterprise account at the $94/user/year rate (prorated to their purchase date).
Existing 5-for-1 account holders will not be able to use SSO for sign-in and have fewer features than Canva Enterprise accounts.
Can existing UC Canva users transfer their designs?
Yes, existing UC Canva users will be able to seamlessly transfer designs over from one team to another using these instructions.
What level of data is Canva approved for?
Canva is approved for P1 and P2 data only. For more information, see Data Classifications.
Canva will not have the ability to detect or block P3 or P4 data. Please ensure that you are not including this level of data when using Canva.
Have the Canva AI features been approved at the system level?
All AI features have been disabled and may be enabled in the future when they are reviewed.
Where can I get help?
See Canva’s robust help resources.
Who are the main contacts at UC ANR if I have additional questions?
Doralicia Garay
Social Media Strategist
dgaray@ucanr.edu