Fordham University 2024-2025 UMC Impact Report - Report - Page 3
This past year has been one of remarkable momentum for Fordham. As we continue to elevate
our University’s profile, the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) team has remained
focused on growing and protecting the Fordham brand—making Fordham a top choice for
students who want to matter to the world.
The FY25 Impact Report (July 2024 through June 2025) highlights a year when strategic precision
met creative storytelling. Following the transformation of our internal agency structure in 2024,
we have moved from building our foundation to accelerating our reach. We have sharpened our
approach to search and brand awareness, resulting in a 26% increase in Fordham-related Google
searches in the U.S., including a 23% increase in keyword ranking on the first page of Google.
Our storytelling ecosystem—comprising Fordham Now, Fordham Magazine, and Fordham
Stories—has matured into a powerhouse of engagement, surpassing 1 million views this year. We
also launched Inside Fordham, a weekly internal communication tool designed to build alignment
and visibility among the faculty and staff who are the heart of this institution.
Enrollment marketing is at the core of UMC’s mission. The below milestones contributed to
shaping Fordham’s third-largest incoming class in history and breaking enrollment records for
both transfer and veteran students:
Digital Growth: We welcomed 7.5 million new users to fordham.edu, our digital front door.
Social Media: Our pivot to curated, video-first content drove a staggering 335% increase in video
impressions, totaling 13.2 million views across platforms.
Brand Visibility: Our out-of-home and digital advertising campaigns generated 145 million
impressions, contributing to a 5% lift in brand awareness in the NYC metro area.
Earned Media: Fordham’s faculty expertise remains a global beacon, with media mentions
increasing by 28% and reaching billions through coverage of major events like the papal transition.
To the UMC team: Thank you for your tireless innovation and for your commitment to “doing more
with less” while achieving greater impact. And to our partners across the University: Thank you for
your continued trust as we share Fordham’s distinctive power with the world.
JUSTIN M. BELL
Vice President for Marketing and Communications
