Ep. 34: Rocky vs. Rocky: A Winning Collaboration

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny sits down with Alexandra Modafferi, Social Media and Content Strategist at Ramapo College, to discuss an innovative social media collaboration with Montclair State University. They dive into how a shared mascot name sparked a fun, engaging campaign, the role of trending audio in boosting engagement, and best practices for collaborating with other institutions. Alexandra also shares insights on using student-created music, navigating business account restrictions on social media, and the pros and cons of scheduling content.Related Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEcv4k6phHX/‍Key TakeawaysCreative collaborations can drive engagement – Ramapo College and Montclair State University leveraged their shared mascot name for a viral social media post.Trending audio enhances content visibility – Choosing the right sound can amplify a post’s impact and make it more engaging for audiences.Collaboration logistics matter – Planning file sharing, posting schedules, and caption approvals in advance ensures a smooth process.Use student talent for original content – Tapping into student musicians and creatives can provide unique, royalty-free content.Be cautious with scheduled content – Technical glitches and real-world events can make pre-scheduled posts problematic.‍Behind the Scenes of a Viral Mascot CollaborationAlexandra shares how the idea for the collaboration had been in the works for some time, but the perfect opportunity arose when the New Jersey state government featured college mascots—excluding Ramapo and Montclair State. This snub inspired Alexandra and her team to create their own moment, leading to the birth of the “Rocky vs. Rocky” campaign, which featured both institutions’ mascots in a fun, friendly rivalry. The campaign gained traction by using a trending audio clip that added humor and energy to the post.‍Why Trending Audio Can Make or Break a PostWhen asked about the impact of trending music, Alexandra emphasized that the chosen sound was critical to the campaign’s success. The unexpected transition between mascots in the video, combined with the trending audio, created a delightful surprise for viewers. She also explained how business accounts can determine whether they have access to certain trending sounds, and shared tips for ensuring that selected audio is copyright-safe.Tips for Running a Successful Higher Ed Social Media CollabFor those looking to try a similar collaboration, Alexandra recommends starting with strong planning. Factors like ensuring access to a mascot, determining file-sharing methods, and deciding who will post the final content should all be ironed out in advance. She also stressed the importance of authenticity—collaborations should feel natural and align with the institution’s brand voice.The Risk and Reward of Scheduling ContentAlexandra admitted that she prefers posting content manually rather than scheduling in advance. She’s had experiences where scheduled posts didn’t go live as planned, causing unnecessary stress. Additionally, she highlighted the risk of scheduled posts unintentionally going out during sensitive moments. Despite this, she acknowledges that scheduling tools can be helpful for teams managing a high volume of content.Guest Name: Alexandra Modafferi, Social Media & Content Strategist, Ramapo CollegeGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Alexandra is an experienced social media strategist at Ramapo College of New Jersey. She has over a decade of experience navigating the higher education social media landscape. Right out of college she envisioned a creative career in television production and began working with various networks on a number of shows until she realized TV wasn’t for her. After that, she did some video editing and then focused on social media for marketing and public relations companies before landing at Ramapo. Alexandra is often struck by how much her production, filming, and editing skills are needed in “social” today.  Alexandra and her student team are dedicated to showcasing the mission of New Jersey's premier public liberal arts college through authentic, engaging content published on the institution’s accounts. Mentoring students to unlock their own strengths and discover what they love is the best part of the job. Outside of work, Alexandra is surviving parenting two toddlers with her loving husband while also trying to find a moment to knit or bake something scrumptious. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jenny Li Fowlerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/https://twitter.com/TheJennyLiAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.