KEARNEY – Kyle Means has been named the new director of marketing at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and will start his work in this position on July 7.
Means will be responsible for leading and overseeing marketing activities campuswide for UNK, particularly the development and execution of the university’s strategic marketing with the goal to increase brand awareness, and enhance the reputation, of UNK among all audiences.
He will plan, schedule and carry out marketing tactics for UNK that include placement of paid advertisements, development and coordination of earned and paid media on digital and other communication channels, while strategizing on key messages that appeal to prospective students, future faculty and staff, Loper fans, alumni and other UNK stakeholders.
Based in the office of Communications and Community Relations, Means will advise units on promotional messaging and strategies, lead marketing campaigns, and contribute to building UNK’s brand.
“Kyle brings us considerable experience in strategic marketing and advertising,” said Kelly Bartling, UNK’s assistant vice chancellor for communications and community relations. “His creativity in using all media to target and deliver to key audiences will be a complement to our news and creative units.
“He also has knowledge of the Kearney market and established relationships among regional media and other community leaders.”
Means has been vice president of marketing and game operations for the Viaero Event Center and Tri-City Storm hockey team in Kearney since 2006. There he was responsible for overseeing and managing the marketing budget, conducting market research and analyzing data, managing customer and client databases, developing creative materials and overseeing the Storm Hockey website. He also worked on sponsor fulfillment.
Prior to joining Viaero and the Storm, Means was assistant manager of video productions for the Houston Rockets and Toyota Center (2004-06), including executing video and graphics for big-screen productions in the Toyota Center, managing the Rockets gameday crew, and working with the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. A graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he was a production assistant for HuskerVision and NU Athletics, producing commercials and coaches shows.
Means earned his master’s in education from UNK in 2011 and has experience teaching sports marketing, market research, brand development, direct marketing, sales and promotion.
He has been active in leadership positions as a volunteer since moving to Kearney in 2006.
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Writer: Kelly Bartling, 308.865.8455, bartlingkh@unk.edu
Contact: Todd Gottula, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
