We are pleased to share the latest SMU email marketing initiative progress with Salesforce Marketing Cloud. Our pilot users in the Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, and Marketing and Communications are experiencing notable success with the new platform, using its features to engage their alumni and supporters more efficiently and meaningfully. Analytics within the platform show open rates above 40% with a low email bounce rate of 1.19%.
OIT is making significant strides in developing training and onboarding materials, which will be distributed to schools and units as we broaden the platform’s use across various academic and administrative areas by the end of the year. Policies and procedures are also being finalized.
In the coming weeks, we will collaborate closely with all schools and units to develop their data extensions and audience lists, ensuring they are prepared to use the new email tool for engaging alumni and donors this summer.
SMU has extended its contract with the external consultant for this project, Huron Consulting. The Huron team will continue working closely with us in the near term on preparing the platform for broader use across the Hilltop.