New digital display network brings campus news and events to life

The campus community now has a dynamic new way to stay informed and connected with the launch this week of an advanced Digital Display Network. This cutting-edge communication tool will feature campus news; upcoming events; important announcements; and other content of interest to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The new network, which was conceived prior to the pandemic as part of the university’s Quality of Place strategic planning initiative, is designed to significantly enhance campus communications and create a more connected campus environment. The screens are being strategically placed in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility and engagement. Approximately 50 screens are being installed and brought online this week, and another 50 screens will be installed in the coming months.

The new system will replace the older, smaller network of screens that are powered by the Reach system. That system is being discontinued and will no longer be supported by Purdue IT.

“We are thrilled to introduce this new platform that will help keep our campus community connected and informed,” said Jerry Lewis, vice chancellor for communications and marketing. “The Digital Display Network is an exciting enhancement to our communications strategies and aligns with our commitment to adopt and leverage innovative technology to engage our community.”

Content for the screens will be curated and managed by the Office of Communications and Marketing in collaboration with academic and administrative units. The network is powered by the Yodeck content management system and has been designed to maximize content from the university’s existing Drupal/Acquia web content management system, which translates to a streamlined experience for content developers across campus.

Approximately 50 percent of the content will be university-wide content that displays on all screens, and the other 50 percent of the content will be generated “locally” by the various units on screens in their respective areas. All academic departments will have access to at least one screen once the project is complete. This collaborative approach to content development will ensure that the information remains relevant, current, and representative of the entire campus community.

In addition to displaying news and events, the network will also be used for emergency notifications and is integrated with the Rave emergency network that deploys emergency information to mobile phones and other digital devices. In the event of a campus safety issue or severe weather, the screens will broadcast critical information to help keep everyone safe and informed. This integration of safety messaging underscores the university’s commitment to maintaining a secure and responsive environment.

“This initiative will make the most of a vast network of larger, vertical screens to elevate our campus communications to entirely new levels of presence, engagement, and aesthetics,” said David Johnson, associate vice chancellor for communications and marketing, who conceived the system. “Our web team—Bart Tyner, Bennett Winters, and Nick Huber—has done a phenomenal job of developing a system that is sophisticated, powerful, and user-friendly.”

To make the most of this new communication tool, training sessions are now underway with approximately 75 content producers. Feedback from the campus community will be used to continuously improve the system and better meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

The launch of the Digital Display Network represents a significant step forward in the university’s efforts to modernize campus communications. By providing timely and visually engaging information in prominent locations, the screens will enhance awareness and foster a greater sense of community among students, faculty, and staff.

The Office of Communications and Marketing has developed a list of FAQs, a Service Level Agreement, and an online training module to help the campus community, especially content producers, understand the capabilities and parameters of the system.