Podcast Episode 78 – Purdue Basketball Parents 

SUMMARY 

This Is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University, highlights stories about Boilermakers from across all disciplines, who through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap. 

Hosted by Purdue University alum, Brian Lamb School of Communication graduate, and Indiana native Kate Young, “This Is Purdue” aims to examine all of the incredible accomplishments of Boilermakers and their contributions to the world. 

Below, you’ll find helpful information, stories, and social media content regarding this episode of This Is Purdue. 

STRATEGY 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating this historic Purdue men’s basketball season with Ginny Smith, freshman starting guard Braden Smith’s mom, and Gary and Lotus Furst, sophomore starting forward Caleb Furst’s parents.  

Join us for this special kickoff-to-March Madness episode as Ginny, Gary and Lotus discuss when they first noticed their sons’ basketball talent, their favorite memories from the past season (hint: kicking off the season at the Phil Knight Invitational is on the list) and what coach Matt Painter’s leadership means to them.  

Plus, we go behind the scenes with the person behind the tweets, news releases, statistics and more. Chris Forman, Purdue men’s basketball associate strategic communications director, discusses what it’s like leading communications efforts for a top-ranked, elite basketball program and how he grew the popular Boiler Ball social media channels over the past decade.  

This team has persistence, grit and spirit. As we celebrate their achievements this season, don’t miss this episode to get a taste of a day in the life of a Purdue basketball parent. 

RESOURCES INCLUDE: 

·       Links to the podcast 

·       Social graphics 

·       Suggested social post copy 

LINKS and UTM PARAMETERS 

When you link to Purdue websites from social platforms or emails, we recommend that you add UTM parameters to the URL in order to provide reporting on the activity. The Marketing and Communications campaign URL builder allows you to easily configure these links and even request shortened Purdue-branded links. 

UTM campaign: this_is_purdue_basketball_parents_2023 

UTM medium: Social (or email) 

UTM source: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram (or email newsletter name) 

Link to the podcast: https://stories.purdue.edu/podcast/purdue-basketball-parents-2023  

General podcast page: https://stories.purdue.edu/podcast/ 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-purdue/id1496040232 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1npQBIaTzFnCvDlzeiNV7j?si=h0K1NkdwTMeu-MlzckGaHw 

AVAILABLE ASSETS 

The following assets are available for download and use. Social assets include files for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Instagram Stories. 

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE POSTING TIPS 

Digital engagement is a powerful platform to share Purdue stories and posts with past, present and future Boilermakers. Here are some tips to help your posts shine: 

·       Keep posts short and direct 

·       Link all posts back to our landing page 

·       Include photos, videos or GIFs 

·       Use short URLs 

SUGGESTED SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS 

LinkedIn + Facebook  

  1. 🥇 2023 @BigTen Champions 🏆 2023 #B1GMBBT Champions 🏀 No. 1 seed heading into @MarchMadnessMBB Today on #ThisIsPurdue, we’re celebrating this historic Purdue men’s basketball season and the kickoff to #MarchMadness with several guests who know these players better than anyone – their parents! Ginny Smith, freshman starting guard @sm1thb’s mom, and Gary and Lotus Furst, sophomore starting forward @CalebFurst’s parents, share when they first noticed their sons’ basketball talent, their favorite memories from the past season and what coach Matt Painter’s leadership means to them. Plus, we’re talking to the person behind the @BoilerBall channels, Chris Forman, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like leading communications for a top-ranked, elite basketball program. @PurdueSports <link> 
  1. Before our @marchmadnessmbb game, check out #ThisIsPurdue, the official university podcast, for a special behind-the-scenes look into all things @BoilerBall. You’ll hear from Braden Smith’s mom, Ginny Smith, and Caleb Furst’s parents, Gary and Lotus, as they share their sons’ journeys from kids who loved basketball to Division 1 athletes and their favorite memories from being a part of this #Boilermaker community. @PurdueSports <link> 
  1. Check out #ThisIsPurdue, the official university podcast, for a special behind-the-scenes look into all things @BoilerBall. You’ll hear from Braden Smith’s mom, Ginny Smith, and Caleb Furst’s parents, Gary and Lotus, as they share their sons’ journeys from kids who loved basketball to Division 1 athletes and their favorite memories from being a part of this #Boilermaker community. @PurdueSports <link> 
  1. Do you consider yourself @boilerball’s biggest fan? We think this week’s #ThisIsPurdue guests have you beat! No one is cheering harder for this historic team than the parents themselves. We spoke with Ginny Smith, freshman starting guard @sm1thb’s mom, and Gary and Lotus Furst, sophomore starting forward @CalebFurst’s parents, for this special #MarchMadness celebration episode. They share what it’s like to watch their sons play in Mackey Arena and the sense of family and camaraderie that comes with being a #Boilermaker. @PurdueSports <link> 
  1. What’s it like leading the communications for a top-ranked, elite basketball program like @boilerball? 🏀 Who is the person behind the social media posts, press releases, stats and more? We’re talking to Chris Forman on #ThisIsPurdue as he gives us a behind-the-scenes look into all things #Purdue men’s basketball, including growing their social media accounts over the past decade. This year, #BoilerBall was listed fifth among the @NCAA men’s basketball programs in generating the most interactions on official team social accounts – beating out programs like Alabama, Michigan State and Tennessee – with 1.1 million interactions! It’s only on the official university podcast. @PurdueSports <link> 

Twitter + Instagram 

  1. Today on #ThisIsPurdue, we’re celebrating the kickoff to #MarchMadness w/ No. 1 seed @BoilerBall parents Ginny Smith + Gary & Lotus Furst. Plus, we’re talking to the person behind the @BoilerBall channels, Chris Forman. Check out this special BTS ep! 🏀 <link> 
  1. Before our @MarchMadnessMBB game tonight, tune into #ThisIsPurdue for a BTS look into all things @BoilerBall. Hear from @sm1thb’s mom, Ginny, & @calebfurst’s parents, Gary & Lotus, as they share what being part of the #Boilermaker community means to them. <link> 
  1. Check out #ThisIsPurdue for a special behind-the-scenes look into all things @BoilerBall. Hear from @sm1thb’s mom, Ginny Smith, and @calebfurst’s parents, Gary and Lotus, as they share what being part of the #Boilermaker community means to them. <link> 
  1. Do you consider yourself @boilerball’s biggest fan? No one is cheering harder for this historic team than the parents themselves! We spoke with Ginny, @sm1thb’s mom, and Gary and Lotus, @CalebFurst’s parents, for this special #MarchMadness celebration episode. Listen today: <link> 
  1. What’s it like leading the communications for a top-ranked, elite basketball program like @boilerball? 🏀 We’re talking to Chris Forman on #ThisIsPurdue as he gives us a behind-the-scenes look into all things #Purdue men’s basketball. Listen <link> 

TAGGING RECOMMENDATIONS 

Please tag Purdue University and use the hashtag #ThisIsPurdue 

Facebook: @PurdueUniversity 
Twitter: @lifeatpurdue 
Instagram: @lifeatpurdue 

Other tagging options include: 

@BoilerBall 

@PurdueSports 

@calebfurst 

@sm1thb 

@NCAA 

@marchmadnessmbb 

CAMPAIGN SPECIFIC HASHTAGS 

#ThisIsPurdue 

CAMPUSWIDE HASHTAGS 

#PurdueUniversity 

#MySmallStep = Student stories 

#MyGiantLeap = Faculty/Alumni stories 

 
EMOJIS 
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