Homecoming Tradition — Downtown Canal

IU Indianapolis Regatta 2026 — Media Campaign

A five-phase media strategy built to grow Regatta's reach across Indianapolis, from save-the-date to post-event legacy.

Media Campaign Strategist

Role

Event Date

September 26, 2026

Executing

Status

Overview

The IU Indianapolis Regatta is one of the university's longest-running traditions and the centerpiece of Homecoming — an annual event on the Downtown Canal that draws students, alumni, faculty, and the broader Indianapolis community.

For the 2026 campaign, I built a full media strategy to grow awareness citywide, deepen alumni engagement, and position Regatta as a signature Indianapolis event, not just a campus one.

The Goals

  • Build public awareness of Regatta across Indianapolis, not just on campus

  • Drive engagement among students, alumni, and local residents

  • Earn coverage across print, broadcast, digital, and social media

  • Strengthen Regatta's identity as an IU Indianapolis tradition

  • Create content and relationships that carry into future years

A 5-Phase Campaign

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Awareness

8–6 weeks out

Launch the save-the-date, announce theme and branding, distribute a media announcement, and get the event onto community calendars. Alumni outreach starts here.

Engagement

6–3 weeks out

Build momentum with student spotlights, alumni testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, and promotion through partner organizations.

Amplification

Final 3 weeks

Push visibility hard: TV and radio interviews, influencer partnerships, countdown content on social, and reposts from community partners.

Event Day

September 26

Live social coverage, a media check-in station, on-site interviews, and full photo/video coverage to capture the day in real time.

Legacy & Impact

Post-event

A recap press release, highlight video, photo gallery, and media impact report plus handwritten thank-you cards for sponsors, volunteers, and media partners.

Why a 5-phase campaign

This campaign was built to do three things at once: drive attendance, generate media that outlives the event, and lay groundwork for next year so the relationships and content built in 2026 make the 2027 campaign easier from day one.