It was a contest like no other: Create a fib, it was suggested to UConn Today Facebook fans, that would give people a fun incentive to take a look at the site, participate in the contest, and connect using social media. The fans themselves would vote on who had the best joke.
The contest was based on a campaign University Communications had been running for several months. During that time, staff have been advertising UConn Today Facebook around campus, using a tongue-in-cheek “not true” campaign. The fibs, appearing on the face of a cell phone, were displayed in dining halls, on campus shuttle buses, and elsewhere. The jokes included such beauties as “UConn cows produce strawberry milk,” or “300 pound alligator found in Mirror Lake.” Each entry was followed with the phrase “Not true. But if it were you’d hear it here first,” a reference to the speed with which University News and Information staff could post, well, University news and information.
“We’re constantly striving to grow recognition of our products, and give people exposure to UConn Today as a resource for news and information on UConn,” says David Martel, director of media communications. “As an outgrowth of UConn Today, our web-based news site, we have the tools to inform the community, inside and outside the walls of Storrs, about what our faculty and students are doing that is truly wonderful. We also post articles from newspapers across the country, information regarding the accomplishments of our student athletes, various events, and the occasional, frivolous, fun post, all tied to the University.”
The contest, similar to a regular UConn Today Facebook feature, Tuesday Trivia, drew more than 50 responses. Dozens more Facebook friends voted on their favorites.
In the end, a winner was selected: Jenny Jaekle posted the note “Kemba Walker and Maya Moore engaged to be married. … Not true, but if it were you’d hear it here first.” The runner up was Caitlin Kelly’s shot at fame: “Jonathan the Husky wins Westminster Dog Show. … Not True, but …”
Many others were also excellent. There appeared to be a bent toward athletics, class cancellations, or Spring Weekend.
“Students arrested for walking and texting …”
“Homer Babbidge Library changes name to Homer Simpson Library …”
“UConn becomes first public institution to join the Ivy League …” and
“Vacant site of Kathy John’s re-opening as a Five Guys Burgers & Fries …”
“I think everybody had fun with the contest,” says Martel. “And it bumped up our numbers a little bit, to the verge of 12,000. Now we just need a push from our friends out there, sharing our Facebook page with their friends and other UConn alumni, to get to 15,000. We’ll keep on moving forward.”
