Digital Services
The Office of Communication’s digital team focuses on the creative execution of strategic priorities directed at our primary external audiences. We offer our expertise in several disciplines and provide useful tips, advice, and best practices for colleagues looking to tell visual stories.
Web
The Digital Team maintains Andover.edu and consults on all affiliated Phillips Academy websites (listed below). All potential website-related ideas and projects begin with an initial conversation to see if the work aligns with current Academy priorities. If the work is determined to be a priority, we start with a creative brief and a project kick-off meeting. The Digital Team does not take on web projects related to events, conferences, personal initiatives, academic departments, specific clubs, or single-use experiences.
The Digital Team only supports web development within the Craft CMS ecosystem.
Official Websites
Blogs
In addition to our official websites, the Digital Team supports the creation of Wordpress.com blogs. Blogs are created only after a discussion about goals, audience, purpose, content strategy, and authorship with the requesting client. If a blog is right for your needs, we will work with you on the initial launch, then hand over the management to the client’s designated administrator.
Expectations for maintaining a blog include timely, relevant content, accurate static information, and at least three posts per term to keep the blog fresh and viable. Blogs that do not meet these requirements will be deactivated.
Please note: a blog is not a replacement for an academic department site.
Official Blogs
Photography
Phillips Academy’s Office of Communication understands that photography is a vital tool in telling your story. The following guidelines will help you work with us and understand our process.
IMAGE ARCHIVES
The Office of Communication maintains a private digital asset library of select images curated over time from past projects and publications. We also have a robust public library of digital images on our official SmugMug site. Most images are available to download directly from the web.
Please note that the digital communications team does not source photos for projects we are not leading.
REQUESTING AN IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER
The PA Digital Team is an in-demand resource for photography beyond our day-to-day responsibilities. All inquiries and requests should be treated as if you were hiring a professional freelance photographer.
- Photo shoot requests must be made with at least three business days notice. Please check with Neil Evans and/or Jessie Wallner for availability. Time may be booked via Outlook calendars once confirmation has been made.
- It is the obligation of the requesting party to manage all logistics (schedules, locations, clearances, etc.) related to the shoot. This includes booking talent, reserving locations, clearing access with faculty, and confirming any changes with the photographer. Any questions about this process may be discussed during the inquiry conversation.
- Art direction of the session is the responsibility of the requesting party. This means on-site, hands-on participation to achieve style, mood, lighting, tone, orientation, emotion, and end-use. In some situations, a conversation prior with the photographer about these topics will suffice. This is to ensure the photos taken are exactly what you are envisioning.
- Once the session is complete, photos will be delivered via a download link within two business days, and potentially sooner. We are happy to accommodate other platforms and delivery methods (ex: Basecamp, Google Drive), but this must be discussed prior to the shoot with the requesting party providing the access point before work begins.
- Additional post-production work on any images after delivery will be treated as a separate project/request.
We try to accommodate all requests but know that our in-house staff simply cannot cover everything happening at Andover. All requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER
The Office of Communication often hires freelance photographers. If you’re interested in hiring a freelance photographer, contact Allyson Irish at least three weeks in advance to coordinate. Departments hiring photographers will be responsible for covering all associated costs.
TAKING YOUR OWN PHOTOS
We encourage everyone to become citizen journalists and capture images in any way possible. Most mobile device cameras are sufficient when capturing in-the-moment action. If sharing, please remember to send the highest quality asset size.
Share and Submit
When it comes to sharing your digital photos, we prefer Dropbox. Upload your original files and share them with [email protected]. If necessary, we can create a photo request link for you to upload to. We do not recommend using direct email and attachments to share or send photography.
[footnote]
Neil Evans and Jessie Wallner are both licensed drone pilots, skilled at capturing aerial photography and video.
Drone Usage
We get it—drones are cool! They provide dynamic perspectives and unique angles for capturing photos and video. Beyond the novelty, we always want to make sure the mode matches the goal of the project. No one likes gratuitous drone shots.
If you're a student, or campus community member with a personal drone, please read and understand our Academy Drone Policy linked below.
Video
The Office of Communications manages the official YouTube channel
for Phillips Academy and frequently produces videos in-house and with
external vendors. All of our productions target external audiences with
clear connections to the priorities of the Academy and alignment with
strategic goals.
Film Your Own
Take the power into your own hands and use your mobile device to record yourself. Review our tip sheet for filming "selfie" videos and get creative!
HAVE AN IDEA?
Do you have an idea for a project that aligns with our strategic goals? Contact Neil Evans to start the conversation.
Bad audio can ruin great video. Always think about the sounds being recorded along with the visuals.
”[footnote]
When in doubt, hold your device in landscape and just hit record. Get more tips for filming your own videos.
Social Media
The Academy maintains an official presence in social media. We strive to apply minimal moderation to social media activity, and expect that employees will post content responsibly, as representatives of Phillips Academy.
Directory
Find our official and affiliated accounts listed below.
Facebook
STARTING OFFICIAL ACADEMY ACCOUNTS
We encourage the use of social media to promote departments, events, teams and special interests. Our social media policy requires all official accounts to be approved by the Office of Communication. If you are interested in starting an account, contact Neil Evans. Before launching a new account we like to encourage administrators to think about:
- Audience
- Goals
- Posting Frequency
- Who is Managing the Channel
- Editorial Tone and Voice
- Quality of Imagery and Video
- The Need Your Channel Serves
In thinking about these topics we aim to serve the Academy’s strategic priorities and encourage engagement with our various constituents. By having a plan going into your new social account, you increase your likelihood for adoption and success.
The Office of Communication is not responsible for any student-run team, club, or affinity-based accounts. For these accounts, we recommend a campus adult/coach/advisor/etc. be involved and oversee the content.
The Office of Communication administers our mass email system. The web service has been built with many custom templates for email editors to design compelling and unique messages for various Andover audiences.
HAVE AN IDEA?
Do you have a need for an email template or want to engage your external audiences with email differently? We’d love to work with you and your team. Email template projects typically require 4-8 weeks if produced internally and potentially longer if contracting with our external creative resources.
All audience list requests should be made to the Office of Information Services (for alumni) or the Director of Student Information (for parents). All list requests should be made at least two weeks in advance. For more information on email templates or to discuss your specific email needs, contact Jonathan Kapaldo.
The Digital Team
Meet the team behind Andover's online efforts.
Neil Evans
Director of Digital Communications | External web, social media, video, photography, Andover eNews | 978-749-4279
view full profile [email protected]
Jonathan Kapaldo
Visual Designer/Developer | digital design, web graphics, blast email administrator | 978-749-4299
[email protected]
Jessie Wallner
Digital Content Producer | Video, photography, web content, social media | 978-749-4675
[email protected]
