The University of Aberdeen has appointed Lori Manders as its first ever Director of Marketing. The new position, which is the first of its kind to be introduced in an ancient Scottish university, will take effect as of December 1, 2001. The appointment signals a milestone in the restructuring of the marketing and communication services within the University and reflects the growing importance of this remit in supporting its academic ambitions.
Lori (34), will provide leadership, vision and strategic management to the Marketing Directorate and manage all marketing and other activities that have an impact on the University’s corporate image and success in recruiting students. Corporate communications, the organisation of large-scale university events, student recruitment and admissions and the handling of all media buying will also fall into the remit of this position. Lori will be responsible for a total of 38 staff within the Marketing Directorate.
Having joined the University in 1998, Lori was employed as Director of the Student Recruitment and Admissions Services and was responsible for overseas admissions, home, EU and international recruitment. Last year the University increased its applications by 20% representing the 2nd highest increase in the UK. (Universities and Colleges Admissions Services, UCAS, February 2001). The overall student intake increased by 16%.
Following her appointment Lori said: “When I joined the University in 1998, I was brought in to help meet the ever increasing challenges universities face in the education market place. My work
over the last couple of years has shown how important it is for universities to market themselves
effectively in an increasingly competitive market place. As with any other business, it is so important to communicate with your public through the appropriate channels and the recruitment marketing campaign we created for the University is living proof of this. I’m looking forward to developing this further in my new post and feel privileged to become the first ever Director of Marketing within such an innovative and success driven environment.”
Steve Cannon, University Secretary, said: “The establishment of this new directorate within the University is a reflection of Aberdeen’s forward-thinking and commitment to an integrated approach to marketing to support the academic ambitions of the institution. We believe that Lori has all the skills, motivation and determination it takes to establish this new directorate and to enhance Aberdeen’s reputation as one of the most distinguished and popular universities in Scotland.”
Note to Editors
Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is now ranked 3rd of the Scottish universities The Times League Table 2001.
Lori Manders:
- Worked for seven years as a Health Promotions Manager within NHS Scotland
- Business Degree in Marketing from the Robert Gordon University
- Diploma in Marketing Chartered Institute of Marketing
- Diploma in Health Promotion from the Robert Gordon University
Lori is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is on the Grampian Local Advisory Board of Careers Scotland. She is also a board member of the Scottish UCAS Standing Group and the Grampian Education Business Partnership.
Photographs are available, should you require.
For further information, please contact: Angela Begg, Media Relations, on: (01224) 272960
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014 Fax: (01224) 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.